Kishore, Prem 1940-

PERSONAL: Born March 26, 1940, in India; daughter of Mabel Souri (a teacher); father in marketing; married December 14, 1964. Ethnicity: "Indian." Education: University of Madras, M.A. Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Film, volunteer work at Pacific Asia Museum.

ADDRESSES: Home—7755 Darby Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: St. Francis College, Secunderabad, India, lecturer, beginning 1973; Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, lecturer, beginning 1974; All India Radio, Chennai, program executive, beginning 1975; RM Radio Dubai, Dubai, programmer and librarian, beginning 1980; public relations occupancy specialist, Los Angeles, CA, 1989-. Sony-America Entertainment Network, audio professional; Pierce College, guest speaker, 2004.

WRITINGS:

India: An Illustrated History, Hippocrene Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Travel writer and columnist. Contributor to community newspapers in India.

WORK IN PROGRESS: A collection of previously published columns; travel essays.

SIDELIGHTS: Prem Kishore told CA: "I have a passion for words. I was lured into writing and speaking by the magic of the written and spoken word. It is all about connecting to people and places. I became a journalist (interviewing, reviewing) while pursuing radio work and using my voice to introduce music of all genres to a diverse audience.

"Good writers influence me—ranging from Dickens and Shakespeare to Austen to immigrant writers like Manilsuri, as well as American writers such as Wallace Stegner and Kerouac.

"My writing process begins with a connection to the subject, be it a place, a person, or a film. I steep myself in the world of the subject, sift through and focus on the significant, use words, sometimes recklessly and extravagantly, and then discipline and hone the work.

"My book was inspired by India, the greatest storyteller. I am also a storyteller, influenced by myths and legends. India is very old, very big, very unwieldy, chaotic, diverse, full of visual and aural stimuli, steeped in tradition, yet progressive—with varied religious customs, cuisine, music, dance, and a billion people! Who could resist writing?"