Chidambar Pati Talks About His Book “SAVITRI (Conquest of Death)”

About the Author:

Dr. Chidambar Patil, Associate Professor of English (Retd), obtained his BA from Lingraj College, Belagavi (1984), his MA from Karnataka University, Dharwad (1986) and his PhD from Gulburga University, Kalburgi (2019) with a dissertation titled “Themes in the Poetry of Shankar Mokashi Punekar.” He possesses 36 years of teaching experience and has served in many colleges, notably Secab’s ARSI Degree College for Women, Vijayapura, where he has been the PG Coordinator from the 2016-17 academic year. He worked as visiting and guest faculty for Karnataka Akkamahadevi Women’s University, Vijayapura and Rani Chennamma PG Centre, Vijayapura. Dr. Patil has authored 30 research publications, edited 26 textbooks for Karnataka Akkamahadevi Women’s University, Vijayapura and worked as a BoS member, BoE Chairman and UG Evaluation Centre Custodian. A regular speaker and contributor at Seminars, conferences, and workshops. Recently, he has been an editorial member of the Book “New Women: Submission, Struggle, Self-Determination” and contributed the article “Education and Self-Assertive Indian Women: Concerning Sudha Murthy’s ‘Mahasweta,’ published by HSRA publications, Bangalore.

Exclusive interview with the author

Q: What Inspired You To Write This Book?

A: The story of Savitri always stirred something deep within me. Her staunch love, brilliance, and fearless confrontation with Death is timeless and powerful. I felt compelled to reimagine this ancient tale in a poetic form that honoured its grandeur, bringing it closer to the modern reader.

Q: Can You Tell Us About The Book?

A: Savitri (Conquest of Death) is an epic-style poem that retells the ancient Indian legend of Princess Savitri. It follows her journey of love, loss, and triumph as she challenges Yama, the god of death, to reclaim her husband’s soul. It is a spiritual odyssey wrapped in lyrical language, exploring devotion, destiny, and inner strength.

Q: What Did You Learn When Writing The Book?

A: I learned that ancient stories carry eternal truths. Writing this taught me to listen to the voice of myth, to honour tradition while finding my own poetic expression, and that devotion fused with wisdom can reshape destiny.

Q: How Long Does It Take You To Write A Book?

A: It took several months. The process involved not just writing, but also researching, meditating on the themes, and shaping the language to evoke both emotion and mythic weight.

Q: Where Do You Get Your Greatest Ideas For Writing?

A: From stillness. Ideas arrive in moments of inward quiet—during a walk, a chant, or a moment of solitude. I believe we don’t invent ideas; we listen for them.