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FRENCH writer Franck Pavloff is busy absorbing the multi-coloured hues of India these days. First to Mumbai, then, down South to Bangalore, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram and, finally, to Chandigarh, all in a single visit. How many writers can boast of their books getting translated into four languages in a single nation? Pavloff’s international bestseller Matin Bruri (Brown Morning) has been translated into Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and Malayalam. Guess what has intrigued his literary mind? The religious beliefs and practices of Indian people! And this might give us one more reason to rejoice. He promises to come back soon and make more observations, which may result in yet another book. "Religion occupies such an important place in one’s life here that I find it amazing," says Franck in his halting English while interacting with journalists at Alliance Francaise de Chandigarh recently. Well, is it not important to him? "I am a believer but I am not very rigid in my belief. We are Catholics, but my son is married to a Muslim," says Franck, who is of French and Bulgarian origin. Professionally a psychologist, who has been working as children’s rights activist in developing countries all over the world, Franck enjoys writing for both adults and children. He has authored 23 books, including Matin Bruri, which has been translated into 25 languages. It sold five lakh copies in Europe. From children’s books to poetry to a hard-hitting political story, what is his signature style? "I prefer to stick to realities, rather than fantasy. I want my books to be the windows to the world. Hence no compromise on the thought-process, be it for children or grown-ups. I just lower or raise the level of the window by playing with words to suit my target group," he says. After reading Brown Morning, we know exactly what he means. It is a nicely woven story that starts with an extremist state oppressing the locals and a chain of events that gently goads one to do a little soul-searching—are you the one to fight against the system or the one to find comfort in surrender and be responsible for whatever sticky situation that you might be in? His protagonist chooses the latter, but the author refrains himself from being judgmental, giving the reader the choice to seek out the right from the wrong.
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