Pran Joshi comes from a family of teachers. He earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English Literature from Mumbai University. His destiny took him to Kenya and soon in 1969 he was in Toronto. After getting Canadian certifications, he was hired by Moira Secondary in Belleville, ON. With success came meeting and dating an exceptional young nurse, Ramani. Ramani worked as a nurse in a newborn nursery in Belleville. Pran and Ramani got married in 1970 and have three children. Their eldest daughter Supriya married Tejinder and has three children. Their second-born Aarty married Adam in North Carolina and they have a vivacious daughter.
Teaching brought Pran many accolades and awards. But nothing makes him happier than receiving messages from his former students or meeting them in person. After retiring, Ramani and Pran travelled the winters in warm and sun-kissed Southern Europe. However, he missed teaching and he needed that spark again. To douse that spark, Pran applied for a teaching position in South Carolina and Dr Kathie Greer hired him. Under her leadership, Pran thrived and Dr Greer encouraged him to be a teacher trainer.
He enjoyed the phase of teaching again, but soon his first grandchild’s arrival meant he and Ramani would come home, and enjoy proximity to their grandchildren in Toronto and participate in their growing and education. They enjoy travelling, reading, walking and spending time meeting their friends. His book The Perfume Woman’s Diaries was published by Leadstart.
TBE: Tell us a little about your book, ‘The Perfume Woman’s Diaries’, and the story world you’ve created.
Pran Joshi: Zara and Anya stumble upon their father’s email exchanges with Mrin, a stranger to them. Fearing an adverse effect on their mother’s future, they keep on reading more messages to understand the situation. They are amazed and fearful now. As they read more, they ponder on a perennial question bedevilling human beings if a man or a woman can love two people in equal measure without feeling guilt or regret. It’s a story of star-crossed lovers…where Ayu’s lover Mrin and his wife Somi both have uncanny similar appearance…Now read on….
TBE: Here we have a lovely family and yet the father is just tortured on the inside by his secret. How did the idea come to you for this book?
Pran Joshi: He is tortured and in turmoil as his sympathies and loyalties are in direct conflict. He stands at a cross-road. His attraction to Mrin and allegiance to his spouse…
TBE: Who are your main characters? Tell us a little about what makes them tick. What appeals to you about it?
Pran Joshi: Ayush, Somi, their daughters Zara and Anya. Mrin. They all good people and they want to do the right thing. Who triumphs and how are the key issues.
TBE: Your novel center around some weighty themes—adultery, secrets, parent-children relationship. Does it take a lot out of you emotionally to write about such sensitive subjects?
Pran Joshi: This is important…there is no adultery; just a sexual relationship between ardent lovers. Secrets are the vehicles that propel the story.
TBE: You have a way of creating determined female character who push hard for a particular goal. How did that idea end up being so important in your novel?
Pran Joshi: I have a history of living, growing and raising strong women. My mother, my wife and our two daughters are strong- willed women who achieve life’s milestones with ease and confidence and they are all reflected in Somi, Zara and Mrin.
TBE: Ultimately, what would you like for the readers to take from ‘The Perfume Woman’s Diaries’?
Pran Joshi: Women can lead, love and nurture
TBE: What authors or books have influenced you?
Pran Joshi: Vickram Seth’s A Suitable Boy; Roberson Davies’ The Fifth Business, Manticore and The World of Wonders; Elie Wiesel’s The Dawn
TBE: How did you get into writing and what inspired you to write your first book?
Pran Joshi: A sudden idea while travelling to write a book through emails.
TBE: How was your publishing experience with Leadstart?
Just perfect.
TBE: Is there anything you are currently working on that may intrigue the interest of your readers?
Pran Joshi: I have finished writing Secret World Of Master Teachers. I am also working on a novel set in Mumbai.
