Malaysian author explores complexities of teenage life with debut Tamil-English book

Author Vanitha says her book Viyan carries a message of hope that readers will find inspiring. Photos: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli

Former primary school teacher and mother of two Vanitha Rama Krishnan, 43, thinks teenagers carry complex emotions and they are often misunderstood.

Her experience in raising her two teenage sons, Jayarish, 19, and Khathiresh, 16, and tutoring teenage students, have accorded her a glimpse into their minds.

“They often have complex emotions, constantly face societal pressures and battle personal struggles... this has inspired me to write a book that not only reflects their world but also provides them with hope, encouragement and lessons they can apply into their own lives,” says Vanitha, who has turned these insights into Viyan, a collection of 14 short stories written in Tamil and translated into English.

With a master’s degree in education psychology, Vanitha says although the book is primarily written for younger readers, it also serves as a guide for parents and educators, providing a deeper understanding of the psychological reasons behind teenagers’ behaviours.

“It gives adults an insight into the challenges that young people face and why they act the way they do. With my background, I have created a resource that equips parents and teachers with the knowledge they need to support, empathise and effectively communicate with teenagers as they navigate through their developmental years,” she says.

The writing process was a blend of observation, research and creativity as Vanitha sought to capture the essence of teenage life in a multicultural society.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, conversations with teenagers and societal issues, she created the characters in a way that captures the range of difficulties and challenges faced by teenagers today.

“Each story was designed to address an important issue – such as mental health, eating disorders and drug abuse – while weaving in hope, determination and growth in the characters to make them resonate with young readers,” she says.

Relevant topics

One story that stands out for Vanitha addresses the issue of cyberbullying, a topic that she feels is very relevant in today’s digital age.

Titled Grip of Hopes, it explores how harmful words and actions can impact a person’s mental health while showing the strength it takes to overcome these challenges.

“That story is meaningful to me because it highlights the need for empathy and resilience and why it is very important to create a supportive environment for teens,” Vanitha says.

“This story, like the rest in the book, carries a message of hope that I want readers to find inspiring,” she adds.

Some of the challenges that Vanitha had experienced during writing was ensuring that the stories remained relatable and engaging despite their heavy topics.

It was important for her to avoid being preachy in her storytelling while still delivering valuable lessons through the characters’ perspectives.

“I worked hard to strike a balance by incorporating relatable characters, realistic scenarios and storytelling techniques to capture the readers’ attention,” she says.

Another challenge Vanitha faced was finding the right tone for her stories as it was important that the stories resonated with her readers.

“Despite tackling serious themes, it was essential for me to weave in elements of hope; I wanted the readers to feel inspired rather than overwhelmed,” she says.

A delicate approach was applied to highlight the challenges in the stories without diminishing the possibility of overcoming them.

“I realised that this approach helped foster a sense of optimism in my stories,” she adds.

Vanitha (second from left) at the launch of Viyan with Khathiresh (left), deputy chairman of Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation Selangor Datuk Seri Thaiveegan Arumugam (centre), former president of Malaysian Tamil Writers Association Rajendran Perumal (fourth from left) and Jayarish (right).

Wider audience

Vanitha releases her book in Tamil and English to allow her to connect with a wider audience. “Writing in these languages also helps me encourage readers to embrace their multilingual heritage. This helps preserve the beauty and richness of Tamil while making the stories accessible to those comfortable with the English language,” she says.

Besides that, this format also helps young readers develop an appreciation for their cultural roots and encourages them to explore the value of being multilingual in today’s world.

With six years’ experience in writing short stories, Vanitha wants her first book to focus on Malaysian teenage life, particularly those living in Sabah. She feels that they are underrepresented in local literature despite being unique due to Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity.

“The focus on teens in Sabah stems from my desire to shine a light on a state that is often overlooked as they face unique challenges due to their geographical and economic realities,” she says. “I wanted to highlight their stories to give them a sense of recognition and be proud of their identity.”

Vanitha says she wants to continue writing for teenagers as she believes there are many untold stories and themes to explore.

“I want each project to reflect my commitment in addressing meaningful topics that connect with my audience,” she says. “My passion for storytelling allows me to venture into new territories while staying true to my goal of inspiring readers.”

Vanitha want the book to remind the young that their dreams are valid and their voices deserve to be heard. She hopes the stories in her book will help teens recognise that they too can have an impact on their own lives and communities.

“My ultimate hope is for Viyan to foster empathy and create a sense of unity among Malaysian teenagers, regardless of their backgrounds,” she concludes.

More information: @read.brew.breathe.