Subhechcha Ganguly 
Welcome to Interview Times ! Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Neal Nathan, the brilliant mind behind the award-winning novel “Raaz Mahal – The Palace of Secrets.” With a background in engineering and a passion for history and linguistics, Neal has crafted a gripping tale set in modern-day India, weaving together elements of mystery, legend, and the enduring allure of the Taj Mahal. Let’s delve into the mind of this accomplished author and discover the inspiration behind his captivating storytelling.
- What inspired you to write “Raaz Mahal – The Palace of Secrets,” and how did you come up with the concept?
Ans :Thank you, Interview Times
A few years back, I stumbled upon some fascinating material about the world-famous Taj Mahal, available in the public domain but perhaps lesser-known. It piqued my interest. Stimulated, I began researching one reference after another. Soon, there was a collection of some twenty to twenty-five intriguing references. Out of sheer academic curiosity, I started arranging them on a timeline, drawing flow charts, etc. The whole thing portended quite a remarkable tale. I started sharing it with family and friends. We all wondered whether there could be a thesis or a research paper on this, but, then came up with the idea of writing a novel…a thriller. I said, let me give it a try. Perhaps, pen a couple of pages of the storyline first. But I have no idea when and how those two-three pages evolved into three hundred plus pages, and thus “Raaz Mahal – The Palace of Secrets” was born.
- Your novel has been praised for its seamless blend of fact and fiction. How did you approach the research process while maintaining the suspenseful narrative?
Ans :So, there were two parts to the endeavor. First, I needed to get the research and analysis right, tight enough to my satisfaction. Only after doing that part did I allow myself to move on to the writing part. Second, the aim was to let the research unfold through the story organically but in a logical way. At the same time, you delay revealing the factual matter as late as the plot permits. When you continue to reveal only a little, hold off more, and add twists, it helps build up the suspense for the reader. But then, to plug in any minor gaps in the plot, you have to revisit certain research areas or conduct new research. It’s exciting to do that.
- The protagonist of your novel, Vijay Kumar, is described as a maverick archaeologist. What inspired his character, and did you draw from any real-life figures in crafting his personality?
Ans : I do not think Vijay Kumar’s character was drawn from any one particular real-life figure. Sometimes, characters can emerge out of the subconscious mind. Readers may see parallels between him and other characters they’ve read about. Essentially, the story demanded an intelligent, logical, rational-thinking protagonist who is neutral to the subject matter, somewhat nerdy but not a bore, and while so, human and vulnerable rather than a typical movie hero. Someone who has learned not to take on the bureaucracy beyond a limit while remaining intellectually uncompromising.
- “Raaz Mahal” explores themes of truth, politics, and superstition. How did you navigate these complex themes within the framework of a thriller?
Ans :Yeah, these complex themes do pose a triple constraint for sure. Yet, they offer a nice challenge to navigate through. Truth and facts can play quite a potent role in a thriller. To that end, all document references in the novel are accurate and verifiable. Even the NYT article reference and the satellite image description are real… Politics? Politics is unavoidable, and when sprinkled into the plot dexterously, it makes the story plausible…real… Superstitions? These emerge out of folktales, fantasies of royal love stories, etc. One has to recognize superstitions will be part and parcel of a historical thriller such as Raaz Mahal. One has to do just enough research and build upon them.
The story itself has a slight supernatural thread to it. Some readers liked it as it added another layer to the mystery, although the supernatural is merely what certain characters in the story perceive.
- The reception of your novel has been overwhelmingly positive, receiving awards and accolades. What has been the most rewarding aspect of this journey for you as an author?
Ans :To an author, readers’ feedback is paramount; it is the ultimate testimonial. In the same vein, discerning reviewers’ endorsements are supercritical. The US based BookLife Reviews said, “Raaz Mahal is a tribute to the power and appeal of science and pursuit of truth in the face of politics and superstition.” It is a rewarding comment because, as the author, I felt it closely reflected the novel’s central tenet. Perhaps, on those very lines, there is a dialogue after Vijay Kumar makes his final presentation. “Sir, science always wins, and truth…truth sets you free.”
Another rewarding comment came from Dr. Arvind Jamkhedkar, archaeologist and former chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research. He remarked, “Not only the researchers but visitors also have questions about the Taj Mahal. In the past, some researchers attempted, but Neal Nathan has answered them in a captivating thriller using frameworks that could be an object lesson even for archaeologists.”
Getting compliments from fellow authors was equally rewarding. Samir Bhide, author of the inspiring memoir ‘One Fine Day’ said, “An absolute thriller, page-turner, memorable characters, and well researched. Felt like reading a Dan Brown book.” Then, I was also quite pleased when Garuda Publishing, Delhi and its Rati imprint and Mehta Publishing House, Pune decided to publish Hindi and Marathi translations of Raaz Mahal.
- Many readers are eager for a sequel to “Raaz Mahal.” Can you provide any insights into whether we can expect to revisit the world of Vijay Kumar in the future?
Ans :In fact, it is the readers’ comments that have nudged me to consider writing a sequel. Some threads in Raaz Mahal remain unrevealed. So, the follow-on novel is likely to be a blend of what is called a parallel plot in literary terms and a sequel. Well, I am certainly not going to give away much here. I can say that the sequel will still be about Vijay Kumar’s world, but will he be in it? Can he? … Let it be a secret or Raaz for now.
