Hi friends! First of all, I’d like to offer my heartiest congratulations to Mr. Aloke Lal and Mr. Maanas Lal for the roaring success of their newly released book Murder in the Bylanes – Life and Death in a Divided City. Murder in the Bylanes is a gripping true account of the volatile situation in the Indian city of Kanpur in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition. It is also a pertinent reminder of how communal disharmony can tear apart our social fabric.

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Aloke Sir and Maanas for taking time out for this candid chat in which they speak all about their wonderful book and its phenomenal journey. So, without further ado, let’s get started. Here goes!

Q. Aloke Sir, you were a top ranking IPS officer who rose to the highest position of Director – General of Police. How and when did the idea of writing a book come to you? Could you tell us a little bit about your literary journey?

Aloke: I have been writing articles for newspapers and magazines for long years. However, the idea to write a book based on my experiences came from my family. A 37 year long career in the police brings you face to face with happenings which must be documented for posterity. The success of my first book has given me the inspiration to continue writing. My journey as an author has been one of immense satisfaction. I have had the privilege of working with marquee publishers and to have Maanas as my co-author is an absolute delight. The contribution of my literary agents, The Books Bakers, is significant.

Q. Maanas, you’re a famed artist other than being a talented writer and columnist. Murder in the Bylanes is your debut book which you have co-authored with your father. How was writing a book different from writing columns and articles? And what would you like to tell us about the experience of working with your dad?

Maanas: My thought process was essentially trapped in the word limit of articles. Hundreds of weeks of writing my column ‘Broad Brush’ had made my prose inherently succinct. Books give you room to explore all facets of writing. Writing ‘Murder in the Bylanes’ has revivified the long-form writer in me. It’s an artistic re-birth of sorts. I’ve worked with my father on hundreds of art projects. Collaborating was not necessarily a new idea. But what I didn’t account for were the heated discussions regarding the flow of the book. I am grateful for my mother’s presence as a peacemaker.

Q. Same question to you Aloke Sir. How was the experience of working with your son Maanas, on this book?

Aloke: Maanas is full of ideas when it comes to writing. Converting thoughts into the written word is something which comes naturally to him. To have him by my side as a co-author is a fulfilling experience. It needs to be mentioned that he is a stickler for perfection. He severely comes down on anything that doesn’t make it to the high standards set by him.

Q. Could you tell us a little about Murder in the Bylanes and what drove you to write it?

Aloke: ‘Murder in the Bylanes’ is the true story of a divided city. Why these fissures arose in the social fabric makes for a gripping tale. I also see it as a responsibility to analyse situations like these which I’ve seen from close quarters. I feel this book will help young civil servants understand how to reinvigorate a demoralised police force.

Maanas: When I heard the story of Kala Bachcha’s assassination for the first time, I knew there was a book there. He was essentially a weather vane in the volatile political landscape of Uttar Pradesh. To not make his story known would have been a travesty. I’m glad that Suhail Mathur of The Book Bakers also saw merit in the idea. To my delight, ‘Murder in the Bylanes’ has become a much more potent book than what we as authors had originally envisaged. It is a commentary on a lot of problems that continue to plague our country and its socio-political landscape. Friendship, love, loss – the book delves into some remote corners of the heart.

Q. What are the challenges of writing a book which is based on true events? Particularly, in the true crime genre.

Aloke: Writing about personal experiences comes with the advantage of knowing cold hard facts first-hand. However, there is a flip side – the need to know how much fantasy doesn’t twist a fact. It is a matter of personal accountability.

Maanas: Staying true to facts while making prose fit to be called literature is a serious challenge. I still wonder if I have cracked the code. My readers are the jury and I am awaiting the verdict.

Q. Murder in the Bylanes is represented by India’s leading literary agency, The Book Bakers. Could you tell us about the role that The Book Bakers have played in the journey of this book?

Aloke: I must acknowledge that the pitching of the book to a major publisher like Bloomsbury is entirely to the credit of The Book Bakers. I offer my sincerest compliments to Suhail Mathur and his team.

Maanas: The Book Bakers, helmed by Suhail Mathur, are an excellent agency. They believe in their authors and back them to the hilt. This book found a publisher of high calibre thanks to their efforts.

Q. What was it like to work with one of India’s biggest publishers Bloomsbury India? Could you tell us something about the editing process as well?

Aloke: It was a pleasure to work with a top notch publisher like Bloomsbury. Their editorial advice is of great value. To take an objective view of ones writing is often difficult. That is where a good editor makes all the difference. Bloomsbury has a wonderful team of editors. Their marketing team is proactive and understands the pulse of the book market.

Maanas: My first love in the world of fictional literature was the Harry Potter series. To think that I would work for the same publisher in my debut book is the stuff of dreams. The editing process was strenuous but certainly worth every bit of the effort. The work ethic and efficiency of the marketing team at Bloomsbury is a big plus.

Q. It must be a very rewarding experience to see the book doing so well. How do you feel when you see your labour of love already topping the bestseller lists within days of its release?

Aloke: Indeed! It is an exhilarating feeling to be welcomed by readers in this manner. I feel like this is in some ways an indication that my previous work also made a strong impression in the true crime space.

Maanas: The book hit number 1 on pre-order. It is my debut book. I am lost for words. The feeling is yet to sink in!

Q. Sir, like Murder in the Bylanes, your bestselling book The Barabanki Narcos was also in the true crime genre. Is your next project also in the true crime space? Could you tell us a little about your future literary projects?

Aloke: The projects currently underway are all in the true crime genre. One book is already with the publishers. You can expect a wide gamut from tales of burglary to militancy in Terai. I have plans to branch off into fiction too.

Q. What about you Maanas? What’s next for you in the literary space now that your debut book is out and making waves?

Maanas: My next book, also co-authored with Aloke Lal, is already with the publishers. I am writing a book of my own in the young adult space these days. I am, of course, collaborating with Aloke Lal in his upcoming true crime projects. 

Rapid fire questions for both:

Aloke:

Your favourite genre as a reader: Biographies

Three interesting books you’ve read recently: A Rude Life by Vir Sanghvi, The Counterfeiter by Bhaswar Mukherjee, Indira Gandhi: Tryst with Power by Nayantara Sahgal

Favourite cuisine: Mughlai

Favourite beverage: Single Malt Whiskey

One song that touches your heart every time you listen to it: Phoolon Ke Rang Se by Kishore Kumar

A travel destination that has always fascinated you: Vienna

Your go-to person at 3 am: Maanas

Murder in the Bylanes in one word: Underbelly

Maanas:

Your favourite genre as a reader: Classic Fiction

Three interesting books you’ve read recently: A Break in Love by Rrashima Verma, Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama, The Fate of Butterflies by Nayantara Sahgal
Favourite cuisine: Italian

Favourite beverage: Aperol Spritz

One song that touches your heart every time you listen to it: Tere Mere Milan Ki Ye Raina by Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar

A travel destination that has always fascinated you: San Francisco

Your go-to person at 3 am: Aloke

Murder in the Bylanes in one word: Unfeigned

Thank you so much Aloke Sir and Maanas. It’s been a total pleasure and I wish you tremendous success in everything you do.

Friends, here’s the link to get this very pertinent book that is already making waves in the literary world, within days of its release. Do order your copy right away!

https://amzn.to/3H1684n