Richa Sharma, an esteemed alumna of the Department of Communication, SN School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad (UoH) (Class of 2008–2010), has made an impactful debut in the literary world with her novel, Finding Home Again – Our Quest to Belong, published by Nu Voice Press and distributed by Penguin Random House India in May 2025. The book has already garnered attention for its profound exploration of identity, displacement, and the universal human yearning to belong.

Born in a family deeply rooted in teaching and storytelling, Richa’s upbringing in Arunachal Pradesh significantly shaped her perspective on identity and belonging. Her parents, originally from Uttar Pradesh, instilled empathy and curiosity through their vivid storytelling and thoughtful conversations. These foundational experiences deeply influenced Richa’s own narrative style, characterized by emotional depth and cultural nuance.

Set against the backdrop of a fictional train derailment in flood-ravaged Assam, the novel explores the intertwined lives of Mridula, Maya, and Kranti. Each character embodies a distinct facet of displacement and yearning, navigating through grief, loss, and self-discovery amid chaos. The choice of fictional towns—Maajorghat and Sigo Dolung—reflects Richa’s intent to authentically capture the spirit of the North East without tying it explicitly to real-world tragedies, emphasizing universal rather than specific truths.

During a recent visit to the University of Hyderabad campus, Richa reflected fondly on her time spent in the Department of Communication, describing the experience as a homecoming. The campus, with its wild, unkempt greenery reminiscent of her childhood in Arunachal Pradesh, provided her with a nostalgic comfort. She warmly recalled the enriching guidance and freedom she received at the department, which encouraged her to question, explore, and form her own perspectives. It was here, she shared, that engaging conversations with friends about their evolving ideas of home deeply influenced the themes of her novel. Returning to the campus with her published book felt freeing, marking a significant full-circle moment in her journey.

Speaking candidly in an interview with The Hindu, Richa reveals the deep emotional and personal layers woven into her writing. She explains the unwavering support she received from her husband, actor Priyadarshi Pulikonda: “Since Priyadarshi is an artist, he understands what it takes to create something from the ground up.” This support system, combined with her inherent resilience, helped her navigate the arduous publishing journey—one that involved over 35 rejections and numerous revisions spanning more than a decade.

What sets Finding Home Again apart is Richa’s meticulous attention to emotional authenticity. Rather than compromising for commercial appeal, she courageously preserves the complexity of her characters’ internal dialogues and struggles, making the narrative resonate deeply with readers who recognize themselves in these universal conflicts.

The novel marks only the beginning of Richa Sharma’s literary journey. As she continues to explore diverse avenues in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, readers can expect more compelling and introspective narratives from this talented author.

Congratulations to Richa Sharma for this impressive milestone, and we eagerly look forward to her future endeavors in literature.

 

 

Clipping courtesy: The Hindu Metro – 13 June 2025
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