PVLF 2026

Interview with Akila Kannadasan, Author of The Lost Elephant and the Soul Tree

Journalist-turned-author Akila explores empathy, courage, and the magic of nature in The Lost Elephant and the Soul Tree, inspired by real orphaned elephants.
on Nov 06, 2025

Frontlist: Akila, what first inspired you to write The Lost Elephant and the Soul Tree? Was there a particular story, experience, or moment that sparked this tale?

Akila: The inspiration for the story came from my human-interest piece on abandoned elephant calves. A journalist with The Hindu, I visited the Theppakadu elephant camp in the Nigiris for reporting last year. I saw playful elephant calves that were being fed milk through tubes from bottles, how their mahouts cared for them like their own children, their playful antics… But I kept thinking: the babies will never get to see their mother; will never get to experience life as part of a large, protective herd. It did something to me.

Frontlist: The story of LG is full of courage, compassion, and discovery. What made you choose an elephant as the central character to explore these emotions?

Akila: I love elephants. I’ve covered man-elephant conflicts for several years and have reported extensively on wildlife. As a result, I’ve had the privilege of seeing elephants in the wild and at camps up close. I’m fascinated by their behaviour and feel they are the most magnificent animals to walk the earth.

Frontlist: As a journalist who has written deeply about real people and communities, how different was it to step into the imaginative world of children’s fiction?

Akila: It found this easy simply because I’m the primary storyteller of my children, aged 4 and 8.

Frontlist: The legend of the Soul Tree adds a magical yet meaningful layer to the story. How did you blend mythology and adventure to create this emotional journey?

Akila: All of us love a little magic in our lives, don’t we? I’m 39 and still believe in magic! You never know, maybe there really is a Soul Tree somewhere in our forests.

Frontlist: LG’s adventure mirrors themes of freedom and belonging. How important was it for you to introduce children to empathy—not just for humans, but for all living beings?

Akila: At the core of the story is the philosophy that we are all the same. The stones and leaves on the forest floor, the tiny bugs, and the mighty elephants – they are all the same. I think it is important that we introduce this idea to children at a young age.

Frontlist: You’ve reported on the lives of coastal and rural communities. Did your experiences in field reporting shape how you approached storytelling, character building, or emotion in this book?

Akila: Yes, very much. I have spent 15 years as a reporter, meeting people from all walks of life. I’ve had the privilege of hearing some fascinating stories from fisherfolk, weavers, potters, streetside vendors, tailors, farmers, auto-drivers, circus clowns, mahouts, singers, actors, activists…these experiences have shaped my voice as a writer, and continue to do so.

Frontlist: As a mother and storyteller, what do you think today’s children can learn from LG’s courage and her journey home?

Akila: I hope that like LG, they too find the courage to go all out for something they truly want, even if it scares them a little.

Frontlist: If young readers could take away one lasting message from LG’s story, what would you want it to be?

Akila: To love Nature with all their heart. I feel this is the solution to a lot of the world’s problems today.