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Interview with Linthoi Chanu, Author of “Wayel Kati: The Quest of the Seven Guardians”

Explore Linthoi Chanu's exclusive interview on Frontlist, where she shares insights about her fantasy novel 'Wayel Kati.
on Sep 08, 2023

Frontlist: What motivated you to create a story like "The Quest of the Seven Guardians," which combines elements of suspense, the supernatural, and cultural dynamics? Were there any personal experiences or influences that contributed to the development of this narrative?

Linthoi: It was my own childhood that inspired me toward adventurous stories, and this inspiration grew stronger with exposure to books that shared a similar set of thrills. During my childhood, I enjoyed our folklore and myths primarily for entertainment when my grandfather narrated them to me before dinner. However, as I grew older, I realized that those stories held much more profound significance. Manipur, a place with diverse ethnic groups like a mini India, was the backdrop for my inspiration. I believe that stories from ancient times, when people were not as segregated as in the modern world, could be crucial in rekindling memories of peace, harmony and overcoming chaos or calamities.

I grew up in several places, including a quiet village in one of Manipur's corners. Our strong sense of community bonding and the ecological relationships that shape our way of life have always been inspirations that I look up to.

Frontlist: The excerpt creates a vivid and immersive atmosphere, especially in the opening scene of the kitchen. How did you approach crafting the setting to evoke a sense of anticipation and mystery in the story?

Linthoi: As a reader, I am more drawn to stories that incite me with a sense of delirium or curiosity in any form of narration. Such a taste in storytelling undeniably began to reflect when I finally started to draft a book of my own.

Frontlist: The relationship between Laiba and his mother is depicted with a lot of tenderness and concern. How did you approach capturing their bond and Laiba's ability to sense emotions and energies around him?

Linthoi: Laiba is a young child; however, his character possesses the most complex set of abilities and qualities that exceed his mortal boyhood demeanor. I thought parents raising such a unique child must naturally develop a more concerned behavior, as often happens when dealing with children with different abilities or characters. Personally, it was also a bond inspired by my mother as she dealt with a child whom she thought had a learning disorder.

Frontlist: Laiba's ability to sense emotions, darkness, and unknown energy adds a supernatural and intriguing element to the story. How did you weave this aspect into the narrative, and how does it contribute to Laiba's character development?

Linthoi: Despite being just eight years old, Laiba is the most important character in the book. He is expected to exceed our expectations, and for this to be achieved, it's clear he will play a significant role in the adventure. As a young child with considerable power and carefully taught self-respect, his supernatural abilities become a key factor in shaping the entire story. He provides us with a fresh perspective on how a child of his caliber evolves.

Frontlist: Dreams play a pivotal role in the story, especially when Laiba shares his vision of a menacing creature. How does the theme of dreams and prophecies tie into the broader narrative, and how do they shape the characters' actions?

Linthoi: Dreams are an extension of our consciousness, and most of our folktales and myths also revolve around the elements of dreams as a narrative device. I wanted to explore such a form in my fantasy fiction as well. All the characters in my book are diverse and belong to different places and different ethnic groups. For them to come together in such a short period of time needed some undeniable divine intervention, and I believe dreams serve just that.

Frontlist: The creature Laiba describes in his dream is grotesque and mysterious. What inspired the creation of this creature, and how does it symbolize the underlying tension and fears in the story?

Linthoi: The first creature in Laiba's dream is based on a famous monster from a Meitei folklore. There are several such monsters in the folklores of several tribes of Manipur. The vision of one such monster at the beginning of the story prepares my readers for what they can expect as the story progresses.

Frontlist: Fear is prevalent in the excerpt, from the villagers' fear of the creature to Laiba's nightmares. How do you explore the concept of fear and its impact on the characters' decisions and interactions?

Linthoi: We always fear the unknown. It is an innate human quality that shapes our human race's civilizational conduct. Regardless of the era or the fantasy world my characters belong to, my story stays closer to reality by portraying fear of the unknown and our instinctive decisions to make things right when we face chaos.

Frontlist: The excerpt builds suspense and intrigue, especially with the creature's sudden appearance and the villagers' chase. How do you balance revealing enough to engage the reader's curiosity while maintaining an air of mystery?

Linthoi: I think my story is meant to be read with curiosity. Writing a plot inspired by Manipuri folklore, I understand that only a few people, including readers from my own communities, are familiar with our history or stories. To tell a plain, matter-of-fact story was never my intention. I want my readers, wherever they are, to understand or figure out that there is more to the stories and interesting adventures of their own even after completing the book. If they find it worth it to learn the many messages from the indigenous tales of a very ancient society, they may uncover the mystery of the book lies in their interest. The plot itself is simple, but the culture, people, and supernatural elements bring excitement if preferred.

Frontlist: The story blends cultural elements with supernatural ones. How did you incorporate cultural beliefs and practices into the narrative, particularly concerning the forest and the evil creatures?

Linthoi: We are always afraid of monsters and evil creatures while forgetting that humans are the only victims when such catastrophes befall us. My belief is different. I want to share my thoughts on how we are always part of such chaos, especially when it comes to disasters related to our environment and forests. As indigenous people, we have a history of strong responsibility and respect for nature, forests, rivers, and lakes. They were never seen as things to be destroyed but as nurturing deities whom we must respect. Witnessing such an important cultural value being degraded compelled me to tell stories that allow readers to connect with the lessons more effectively through fiction.

Frontlist: Lastly, how do you envision readers connecting with your crafted story? What emotions or thoughts do you hope readers take away from this excerpt and the larger story it's a part of?

Linthoi: I want my readers to feel that, above our cultural and ethnic divides, the bottom line is that we are all humans, and there is much more we are supposed to do to create a livable world for all. In this way, we can claim to be the most rational beings. Regardless of the gods we believe in, they may guide our souls to the right path, and give us compassionate faith and strong commitment to duty and worship. Still, when it comes to Nature, it is up to us humans to do what is right and try our best to check our most basic urge of greed, which could easily be the root cause of all our problems.