Prof. Shiva C. Aithal Talks About His Book “Southbound Roots & Routes”

About the Author:

Prof. Shiva C. Aithal is a senior Professor in Microbiology at DSM College, Parbhani, who was raised from his KG to Ph.D. in Parbhani, yet his roots lie in Udupi, a town in coastal Karnataka. For over three decades he has taught, researched, written over twelve books and numerous scientific research papers, and cooked with equal conviction, managing college classrooms, research laboratory, and a family-run Udupi hotel. His stories, which he has experienced first hand, blend the precision of a scientist with the sensitivity of a storyteller, reflecting a life lived between Petri dishes and Plantain leaves. “Southbound Roots & Routes” is his affectionate tribute to two worlds that shaped him, academia and hospitality, and to the enduring humour and humanity found in both.

Exclusive interview with the author

Q: What Inspired You To Write This Book?

A: The inspiration came from a rather unusual intersection of roles. For years I spent my mornings in a classroom explaining the elegance of microorganisms, and my evenings in a hotel kitchen negotiating with dosa batter. I realized that life was whispering stories into my ear daily. Writing them was simply a way of not letting them evaporate.

Q: Can You Tell Us About The Book?

A: The book is a collection of lived moments. Some come from Parbhani, some from Udupi, and some from the long roads in between. These are not dramatic events. They are small experiences that reveal how culture, food, weather, and memory quietly shape who we become.

Q: What Does The Title Mean?

A: “Southbound Roots & Routes” points to both inheritance and journey. Roots are where we are anchored by family, language, food, and upbringing. Routes are the paths we take that challenge, stretch, and sometimes return us to those very roots. The two are inseparable.

Q: What Did You Learn When Writing The Book?

A: I learned that memory has its own rhythm. It reveals itself slowly and only when treated kindly. I also learned that humor is often found where seriousness disguises itself. Writing helped me see how ordinary life contains both reflection and laughter.

Q: Was The Character Inspired By A Real Person?

A: Every character is real. The tailor who stitched with confidence and quality into procrastination, the hotel cleaner who carried wisdom in silence, the student who asked one honest question that stayed with me for years. I did not invent anyone. I simply noticed them.

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

A: If measured in typing, a few months. But if measured in living, then these 33 stories span several decades. One cannot rush certain understandings.

Q: When Did You Write Your First Book And How Old Were You?

A: I wrote my first book called “Don’t Talk LISTEN” on listening techniques when I was 40. This is my first non-academic book, which is 13th book after turning fifty. I believe some stories require a certain accumulation of silences, successes, and small defeats before they can be told honestly.

Q: How Many Books Have You Written? Which Is Your Favourite?

A: Till date I have written 12 books, mostly on science subject Microbiology. This is my 13th and unique in the sense that, this book is among my first sets of personal writing. At the moment, this book SOUTHBOUND ROOTS & ROUTES remains naturally MY FAVORITE as it is closest to my identity.

Q: Do You Have Any Suggestions To Help Others To Become A Better Writer? If So, What Are They?

A: Do not try to sound wise. Try instead to look closely. Description is not decoration. It is an act of attention. Write only what you have truly noticed. And one more advice READ, READ and READ a lot before you even think of writing, then writing comes naturally to you. I remember Ruskin Bond saying, write one page a day, you will complete a book in a year.

Q: How Did Publishing Your First Book Change Your Process Of Writing?

A: It made me more attentive to structure but not at the cost of tone. The voice remained natural. The discipline improved.

Q: What Does Success Mean To You? What Is The Definition Of Success?

A: Success as an authour, if you want to ask, I must say that, If a reader pauses after a chapter and remembers someone from their own life, I consider that success. Recognition is more valuable than applause.

Q: Tell Us About Your First Published Book? What Was The Journey Like?

A: It was about a book titled “Don’t talk listen”. Being a college professor I had experienced that students as well as the people around us are not listening. they’re listening only to reply and hence I had compiled this book which was a short course on listening skills, told in a lighter vein. After that each book I qrote, grew slowly, like a plant that did not realize it had become a tree. The journey was peaceful. There was no hurry, no pressure. It unfolded at its own pace.

Q: How Important Is Research To You When Writing A Book?

A: For personal writing, the research lies in remembering accurately and representing people with dignity. For academic work, research is foundational and non-negotiable.

Q: What Advice Would You Give To Aspiring Authors?

A: Do not rush to impress. Let your writing age like a good old wine, or a batter. Fermented, it ages to taste and rises on its own.

This book is published by OrangeBooks Publication. All rights are reserved with the author & the publisher.