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Mita Kapur’s Siyahi is colouring the lives of scores of writers and editors looking to publish their works. Established in 2007, Siyahi is a literary consultancy firm operating with a team of experienced and committed writers, editors, researchers, literati and publishing experts. It may be only a fledgling, but this Jaipur-based firm has already attracted literary directors and editors from across the world. It was also recognised as the best literary consultancy firm in India, and awarded the awarded the 2008 ICongo Karamaveer Puruskar.

“We are looking to bring in fresh talents to print and introduce publishers to new and exciting voices in both English and Indian languages. Our aim is to evolve and expand the scope for Indian literature in all national and international languages,” said Kapur.

Siyahi facilitates a broad spectrum of literary activities, from providing writers with publishing opportunities to creating and planning literary events. It is presently working with about 30 authors for helping them publish their books. Apart from the exciting fresh voices, acclaimed writers like Tabish Khair, Sampurna Chattarji, Devdutt Pattanaik, Himani Dalmia, Bhanu Athaiya, Karthika Nair, Namita Gokhale and Wendell Rodricks are also associated with the enterprise.

“We advise event planners, corporate houses, educational institutes and NGOs on literature-related programming. Our activities range from working as literary agents, translating books, developing proposals and content to providing creative solutions, handling projects for publicity of books, editorial services, creating events, organising festivals and planning workshops. We are also trying to develop a reading culture among the youngsters, and the turnout for Siyahi’s events and book reading sessions has been overwhelming,” explained Kapur.

However, the firm is still struggling to keep afloat. Although it sold around 27 books in the last two years, it received only a fiddling amount as commission, which is not enough to run the entire operation. And as Kapur says, this is also one of the biggest challenges facing the company right now. 

Financial crunch can be discouraging for entrepreneurs, and can even force them to give up their best laid plans, but Kapur was never the timid kind. “Siyahi is my passion; it’s a madness I’ll never give up. The people associated with my firm have been really very encouraging and supportive. They have been with us through the thick and thin, and although it gets difficult to continue at times, we believe in creative solutions. 

The one thing that makes Kapur hold on to her entrepreneurial venture is the scope for experiment and creativity and passion for Indian literature. “Siyahi has given me the liberty to take on new ventures and explore new possibilities. We recently created the ‘Translating Bharat’ series based on unique themes within the context of literature and its nexus with art and culture. The excitement of doing something new keeps all of us going,” Kapur asserted. 

As for the future, Kapur is looking forward to publishing more books of new authors on fresh concepts. There are other projects in the offing, but Kapur would let them out only once the plans are finalised. 

What about the people associated with the company? “I owe Siyahi to every person associated with us. Whether it is our supporters, sponsors, the media, or our precious authors – each one of them have added life and pulse to Siyahi. It has been a memorable experience working with Namita Gokhale, the founder director of the Translating Bharat series of our conferences. Besides, I don’t know what I would have done without Neeta Gupta, Jaya Bhattacharji, Pramod Kumar, our editors and my team in Jaipur; they are the arms of Siyahi,” said Kapur.

Tips for budding entrepreneurs — Be a learner each day of your life.