Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar is a dedicated doctor and writer

Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar is a medical officer with the government of Jharkhand. His stories and articles have been published in Indian Literature, The Statesman, The Asian Age, Good Housekeeping, Northeast Review, The Four Quarters Magazine, Earthen Lamp Journal, Alchemy: The Tranquebar Book of Erotic Stories II and The Times of India. Born in Ranchi and raised in Ghatsila and Chakulia, where his ancestral home was, Hansda has lived in Jharkhand for a long time now. At 15, his first publication came; a short story was selected in The Asian Age’ student edition.

A doctor by heart and identity, Hansda believes in his medical practice. He believes that writing is spontaneous, when an idea just gets in and refuses to leave. He writes when he has something to write, and his day is dedicated to his job, something for which he has been trained and does everyday. 

Recent Book: The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey, his debut, released in 2014 by Aleph, was a critical success. Shortlisted for the prestigious Hindu Literary Prize 2014, it was a focused and masterful observation of the lifestyles of a tribal village. The sentimental understanding of its characters and setting, was intricately captured, as Hansda based it on a real incident, and brought the hubdub of life around him on paper. 

Quirky Fact: He played the role of the Duke of Venice in a school production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Being the senior-most student in the cast, he had the entire makeup room too himself. Since it was a cameo, he proudly considers it to be his ‘item’ number.