Bhakti Mathur’s life narrative is a quilt made of several strands. A successful career in finance, a burning passion for writing, and a deep connection to her Indian heritage. She is recognized as a prolific author, captivating audiences of all ages with her “Amma Tell Me” And “Amma Take Me” series, which introduces Hindu mythology and culture to young readers. From her childhood infused with the wisdom of Bhagwan, her childhood guardian, to her journey of rediscovering the cultural richness of sarees, Bhakti’s life is evidence of the power of storytelling and resilience.
Nurturing a Love for Stories
Bhakti is a former senior finance executive with 20-plus years of experience in private banking in global firms such as J Safra Sarasin, ING Asia, and Citigroup. We asked her about the spark of her passion for storytelling, and she joyously said, “The seeds of storytelling were sown during my childhood. Bhagwan, my guardian, and our gentle housekeeper, played a pivotal role in shaping my imagination. He used to captivate me with tales from Hindu mythology, transporting me to a world of vibrant gods and goddesses, epic battles, and profound lessons. Those stories awakened a curiosity, a yearning to understand the rich tapestry of my cultural heritage.”
Bhakti enjoyed banking, but always longed to pursue something more meaningful with her life. But she could not find that for a few years. She says with enthusiasm, “I finally had my eureka moment in December 2010. The Indian festival of colours ‘Holi’ was around the corner. I was looking for a good book to explain the festival to my older son who was two years old then. I couldn’t find anything that I liked and got an idea to write one myself! I decided to make it a series and called it ‘Amma Tell Me’ (‘Amma’ means mother).” She talked about her return to storytelling.
From Seed to Series: The Birth of “Amma Tell Me”
Bhakti self-published the books in the ‘Amma Tell Me’ series by establishing Anjana Publishing, named after the mother of her favourite Hindu deity, Hanuman. “Despite the challenges, I was determined to share these stories with the world. As the series gained traction, I expanded distribution channels beyond Amazon, reaching bookshelves in Hong Kong and major Indian cities, all while juggling my responsibilities in private banking and raising my two sons. The “Amma Tell Me” Series began as a passion project, born out of a desire to share the magic of Hindu mythology with my sons. As the series grew in popularity, I received an offer from Puffin Books, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House India, to publish another series called “Amma Take Me,” a travelogue of a mother and her two children to monuments of different faiths and historical significance in India for ages 9+. The two series have 19 published titles between them. ” Bhakti shared how she navigated the challenges of self-publishing and the evolution of her two prominent story series.
A Multifaceted Life in Full Bloom
Bhakti has been speaking at literary festivals in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. She talked about the benefits, “Literary festivals are vibrant spaces for exchanging ideas, celebrating the written word, and are essential for fostering cultural exchange and promoting a love for literature globally. Contributing to the South China Morning Post allows me to delve into fascinating themes beyond mythology and culture. I have written articles close to 100 and explored topics like health and fitness, offering readers insights into living a well-balanced life. Additionally, I’ve been able to interview individuals who have overcome adversity, sharing their inspirational stories and encouraging resilience.”
We understand that stories have power and that you are now assisting individuals in creating their tales. “Focusing on the resilience of ordinary people in the face of adversity, I was amazed at their strength and realised that many people didn’t know how to overcome their challenges. This led me to become an executive coach (ICF-ACC) and help people shape their narratives. I trained and now engage in partnerships with clients globally. As an executive coach, I work with middle to senior executives on a range of topics – setting and achieving goals, leadership, communication, and articulating ambition.” Bhakti spoke.
“My love for books led me to study the practice of Bibliotherapy and I am a newly minted bibliotherapist. Bibliotherapy is reading books to treat life’s ailments that date back over two thousand years. We read stories to restore, heal, and even challenge ourselves. Reading the right book at the right time can change your life. But with millions of titles out there, where do you begin? That’s where a bibliotherapist comes in. For clients who sign up for a session, I send them a questionnaire asking them about their reading habits and preferences, what is happening in their lives currently, what are they struggling with, what is bothering them, and any major life changes that they are going through. After that I have an hour-long meeting with them, online or in person understand them better. After a week, I send them a ‘reading prescription’, with a list of curated books to read. I aim to help people find solace, hope, and a friend in a book.” She explained about bibliotherapy.
Bhakti was nominated for the Zubin Foundation Diversity List 2020 to serve on the Government’s advisory committee and shortlisted as one of the three finalists of the American Chamber of Commerce Women of Influence Award in Master of Arts 2021 category, which speaks volumes about her contributions. She enjoys being outdoors, whether it’s hiking, or running. Bhakti practices Iyengar yoga and is currently training to be an Iyengar yoga teacher. Yoga keeps her fit, physically and emotionally.
Unravelling the Mystique of Sarees
“The rich history and cultural significance of sarees deeply resonate with me. Just like a writer’s works, sarees tell a story, offering constant inspiration from my extensive collection. Rediscovering my mother’s wedding trousseau, filled with hand-woven sarees from across India, sparked this connection. Researching each saree’s history and weave, or draping one for an event, brings me closer to my heritage and celebrates the artistry of diverse communities. Sarees hold a special place in my heart, evoking memories of my mother’s collection and visits to saree shops with my grandmother. Each saree, with its unique design and motif, reflects the culture it represents and the love and effort put into it. When asked to write about sarees, my passion for these garments was reignited, leading me on a journey of exploration. This realisation encouraged me to embrace sarees as a part of my personal and professional identity.” She opens up about her saree love.
Finally, she concluded with a message to our readers, “Think big and follow your dreams. Ask yourself “why do I want to achieve this goal?” If you have a strong enough ‘why’, the ‘how’ will follow.”
Bhakti’s Instagram
