The HINDU (2006 May 5)

Bookworms on the net
By VIJAY GEORGE
www.indulekha.com. is an interactive portal for fans of the written word.

It was her stint as editor of the website of a Malayalam daily that brought Swapna Tom Mangatt close to a bunch of book lovers, most of who were non-resident Keralites. "They always asked for my suggestions on the newly released titles and I really enjoyed doing so," says Swapna.

It was during the search for a permanent online space for her book-loving friends that she decided to quit her job and start an Internet portal indulekha.com early this year.

"I was on the search for a name that appealed to all and at last hit on `Indulekha,' which is familiar to all Malayalis as the title of the legendary novel."

The portal has witnessed quite a few additions in its sections since its launch. In addition to the general titles in Malayalam and the English books related to Kerala, there are sections that deal with Malayalam cinema, Kerala's traditional cuisine, paintings by Malayali painters and certain thematic ones like `Rain Raga.' Readers can request the portal to send the books that they want to buy, explains Swapna.

According to her, the readership now extends to more than 60 nations, with an average of one lakh page views per month. A weekly newsletter keep them updated.

Swapna feels indulekha.com. "is an interactive meeting place and a mutually beneficial one for readers as well as publishers."

Now an `M.T.Vasudevan Nair fest' is on where the Jnanpith award winning writer's works are being discussed by those who vouch by his style of writing. The exciting response to the fest has made Swapna think about more such events in the future.

(Friday Review, THE HINDU, 5 May 2006)