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August 4, 2002 

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ARAVAM: THE PUBLISHING HOUSE STARTED BY 5 WORKERS

Sanu Attupuram,  Ganesh Kodakad,  Niyas,  Abi Jethas and  Subhash, Feroke, Kozhikode

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With neither office nor finance, 5 young friends from Feroke, Kozhikode, have started a publishing house catering to upcoming writers.  Sanu Attupuram, a tailor, Ganesh Kodakad, an electrician, Niyas, a construction worker, Abi Jethas, an agricultural labourer and Subhash, a carpenter, had earlier met during street plays.  Their first venture was ‘Aravam’, a little magazine, which did not go beyond 4 or 5 issues owing to financial constraints.

But the 5-men team was not ready to give up.  They turned their attention to publishing.  With self-confidence compensating for experience and funds, they jumped into the unknown field.

Their vision was simple: to publish worthwhile works of nascent writers by bearing the expenses themselves and to give a reasonable share of the profits to the authors.

The 1st book they selected was a collection of poems by K.K.Rajan, a well-worker.  500 copies were printed at a cost of Rs.5000.  By direct marketing, the book was sold out within 6 months.

“The most gratifying thing was that we could give Rs.1500 to Rajan,” they say.

The 2nd book, a collection of stories by Sajith Kodakkad, a furniture worker, was published with better inputs: better lay out and design, introduction by a noted writer, advice from a professional publisher and a book releasing function.  1000 copies of the book, which cost Rs.10000, were almost sold out and Sajith was given Rs.3500.

The 3rd book, a one-act play by Priyadarshan sold 850 out of 1000 copies in 6 months.

Often the friends have to sacrifice their work to find time for their affair with letters.  And often their marketing trips stretch from Kasargod to Thrissur.

'Aravam' editorial board meeting atop Feroke Bridge

Courtesy: Vinu Abraham, Sree, Malayala Manorama, April 14, 2002

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