‘Pahaadi-The Storyteller’ is an anthology curated by Sanjeev Kotnala of Intradia World, was launched in an online event on 9th November 2021- the Uttarakhand day. The book is a culmination of the Short Story writing competition for writers with roots in Uttarakhand. It aims at finding and encouraging talent in Uttarakhand.
Anthology curation is not new to Sanjeev Kotnala; earlier, he has two anthologies on life impact stories. ‘Life reloaded’; life impact stories by professionals across the different fields. And ‘Reflections’; again, life impact stories by the 1987 batch of IIIM Ahmedabad. Earlier Sanjeev has also published ‘Chimera of Lansdowne’, a novel with a hint of paranormal, based at Lansdowne- Uttarakhand. He is currently working on his next book- a romantic story, ‘Enchanting Neeli’ to be released in 2022.
‘Pahaadi-The Storyteller’ showcases 17 short stories (Fiction) by 15 writers. The stories revolve around happening, culture and life in and around Uttarakhand. The contest and the book are in memory and tribute to Sanjeev Kotnala’s father, Late Shri Ram Ballabh Kotnala, and his love for Uttarakhand.
The first year of the contest PAHAADI, saw more than 58 stories by 35 writers. The youngest writer is 6-year-old, and the oldest is 92 years of age. The entries came from different parts of the country, including Dehradun, Haldwani, Delhi, Mumbai, Kota, Bagheshwar, Nanital, New Jersy and Singapore. It was primarily promoted on social media platforms and amplified with word of mouth buzz.
At least three jury panel members evaluated and scored every story. The panel itself is of people with roots or high interest in Uttarakhand.
The jury panel. Aditya Amar, President of One Conscious Society, working on Women Empowerment in the Kumaon region. Prof Alok Saklani of Swami Rama Himalaya University. Apurva Kala; Author of many books including ‘Love… Life… Kumbh’ and ‘Alchemist of East’, to name a few. Bienu Verma Vaghela; poet and blogger and author of ‘Life An Existential Cocktail’. Prof Dwarika Prasad Uniyal; Pro-VC. Rahul Kotiyal; winner of Ram Nath Goenka Award and Red Ink award. Tanya Kotnala, a well-known designer and promotor of Bhuli Design and Sanjeev Kotnala.
The selected writers featured in the book get a Goody bag from Bhuli Studio and one copy. The top three stories – by Sagar Patwal, Manoj Phondani and Vartika Baral win 3N4D stay for two at Cottage Nirvana -Mukhteshwar, a wellness spa and resort.
The winning stories feature in ‘Pahaadi -The Storytellers’ published with Penman publishing. The book is available on Amazon and Flipkart. Further details of Pahaadi at www.sanjeevkotnala.com/Pahaadi/ and of the contest for 2022 at www.sanjeevkotnala.com/pahaadi-2
About Sanjeev Kotnala
Sanjeev Kotnala, an IIM A Alumni, is a Brand and Marketing consultant` with over 34 years of corporate experience. He invested his first 17 years of professional life in advertising with reputed leading agency’s Mudra, HTA (JWT) and Lintas. His last corporate assignment was Vice President National Marketing with Dainik Bhaskar Group, India’s largest newspaper group.
In 2014 he became an independent Brand and Marketing Advisor. And has worked with Dinshaws, Godfrey Phillips, Lakshya Media, LG and a host of entrepreneurs in the area of Brand, Marketing, Innovation and Creative solutions. He believes in a strategic Brand-I development instead of getting branded by default.
He writes a weekly column KOTMARTIAL in mxmindia.com, focussing on Branding and marketing. His blog ‘Perceptions Adulterated with Reality’ features a broader area of subjects and has been published uninterrupted for more than 412 weeks.
He is also in ‘International Advisory board- Education for Women now’ and Director in India Board of Aid-Et-Action, an international NGO headquartered in Geneva. He is visiting faculty at Mica, Symbiosis and Member Governing Council, Indira Institute of Management studies -Pune.
He is a compulsive doodler and calls it Business meditation. So, in his spare time, he likes to doodle, read a book or work on his next book. http://sanjeevkotnala.com/doodle-by-compulsive-doodler/
He is the author of three books. A paranormal novel- CHIMERA OF LANSDOWNE, and two books on Impact-life stories titled LIFE RELOADED, and REFLECTIONS. Currently, he is working on his fourth book- a romance novel- ENCHANTING NEELI- First Love Second Chance. And ‘PAHAADI-The storytellers’, curated by him is a culmination of English fiction short story writing contest for writers with roots in Uttarakhand. Pahaadi is published on 9th November 2021.
