12-year-old Asian School Bahrain student turns author

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A 12-year-old Bahrain resident has had his first book published. Indian Anikait Balan, who is a Grade 6 student at The Asian School Bahrain, authored a fiction titled ‘The Magical Stone’ and is now available for purchase through online shopping sites Amazon and Flipkart. According to Anikait, The Magical Stone is the story of a hero who is selected as the human support to retrieve the stone for the king of his magical world. He takes us to a fantasy adventure where he gets a new friend named Segelle. His quest is to find a magical stone that holds an unbelievable power, which is stolen by Blitch who wants to take control of the kingdom.

Anikait Balan was born in 2008, in the South Indian state of Kerala to U K Balan, a chef at the Royal Court, and Sreesha Balan. His parents describe him as a very obedient and energetic kid who spends most of his time reading, drawing, and poetry. “During his childhood days, he created a world of his own where his toys were playing different characters having superpowers. He is gifted with a vivid intellectual vision and writing skill. This helped him to write a story created by his imagination where he portrays himself as the hero. Being a young author he has his own limitations and flaws but that’s what makes the story more enjoyable.”

Renowned Indian writer M Mukundan called Anikait gifted, with good imagination and writing skill. “Anikait Balan's The Magical Stone is an interesting story. It reads well.  As the title suggests, it is a fantasy. He is gifted with a good imagination and writing skill. Children’s imagination stems from fantasy. We like to read magical stories because there are elements of fantasy in all of us, irrespective of our age. Reading the story with its flaws makes it more enjoyable because it reminds us that the author is a boy. As Anikait grows up, he should give up on fantasy and write realistic stories. There is a budding writer in him. We should encourage him. I give him my blessings.”

Noted Indian journalist and children’s author Roopa Pai also expressed her delight in the Bahrain student’s achievement. “I'm delighted to hear that a 12-year-old is so keen on sharing the stories he has dreamed up in his head with the world that he has applied himself to completing a manuscript, which is now being published as a book. Children are always dreaming up fantasy worlds in their head, but few have the patience, commitment and passion required to put it all down into a coherent story. I congratulate Anikait warmly on his effort and wish him all the best for his future. Whether he ends up becoming a writer or not, the dedication he has displayed in putting this book together will certainly stand him in good stead in all his endeavours.”

Acclaimed Indian writer and journalist Amrith Lal observed that though The Magical Stone is a 5,000 words short story written by a 12-year-old there are several elements in it to break any possible monotony in the narration. “The beauty of the story is that it reads like one written by a 12-year-old,” he said. “There is a lot of magic and fantasy in it, which is not unusual for a young writer of the Harry Potter generation. We find kings and knights, witches, wizards and dragons fighting it out with scrolls and spells, and flights into fantastical gardens and palaces. Out there, it’s a battle to rescue the magical stone that gives life to people, and our hero is the good guy, of course, entrusted with the mission of saving the stone, saving lives. The Magical Stone is a short story, but Anikait has said it well. As if to break any possible monotony in the narration, the writer has introduced devices such as drawings and illustrations. It’s a nice innovation that has added to the charm of the narrative.” Mr Lal also wished him further success as a writer. “The Magical Stone is Anikait’s first story, and it seems to have taken him two years to write. As he grows older, he will discover new battles between good and bad and also that the world is a bleak space where very few stories have happy endings. But he should not let go of his ability to inhabit the world of magic and fantasy. Hopefully, it will continue to feed Anikait with more stories and help him discover much more in the world than all that is visible on the surface. Now, go, ride the Rainbow with Anikait and retrieve the magic stone.”

The Asian School Bahrain Principal Molly Mammen hoped that this book by Anikait inspires his peers to develop their burgeoning talents by bringing them to the forefront. “Anikait has been a student of The Asian School for the past four years, having first joined us in Grade 2. Over the years he has been with us, he has been perceived to be a child whose creativity abounds, be it through writing stories and poetry, his love for art or even his interest in coding by which he is developing games these days,” said Mrs Mammen. Mrs Mammen also expressed her pride in Anikait for choosing to be undaunted and admire him for embarking on this ‘exciting adventure.’ “Anikait certainly has a flair for the written word. He has let his imagination take wings and the result is this delightful collection of stories titled ‘The Magical Stone’. It takes courage to do things that are out of the ordinary. Writing and storytelling are complex skills that usually take years to fully develop. Sharing your writing for the very first time can be an intimidating prospect for anyone, let alone a child. I am proud of Credit must also be given where it is due to Anikait’s parents whose support and encouragement has played a key role in his success. Anikait has worked hard, taking his stories through the writing process of imagining, drafting, revising, editing, and ultimately reaching the final significant milestone - publishing. I hope this is the first book of many to come and I wish to shower him with abundant blessings on this exciting journey.”

Bahrain-based author Dr Shemily P John, who teaches at the University College of Bahrain called Anikait’s writing, diction, dialogues, images and narration showing a professional touch. “Balan, the narrator, of the ‘Magical Stone’ is leading us to his world of fantasy, where we meet his hero and other characters. He has been selected as the Human support to retrieve the Stone for the King of his magical world. The story is submerged in amazing imagery and an unimaginable world of illusions. The story becomes extremely unique and admirable due to the age of the Writer, and certainly the way he has chosen the storyboard. The writer has a vivid intellectual vision and his creativity is well-regarded with huge applause from the heart. With this heavenly skill, he will be conquering and creating many worlds of his own and of the readers. Blessings, prayers, and love to this dear writer from an earnest heart, which is melted seeing the visionary,” she concluded.