At a time when most students are bustling with the early stage of their Master’s program, Raj Abhishek Singh, a first-year student from the Faculty of Commerce of Banaras Hindu University, is already making his waves in the world of contemporary literature.
It’s not every day that a first-year student is invited to judge a prestigious literary event at one of the premier Engineering institutes in India.
With three novels and numerous stories featured in various esteemed literary magazines, and various e-literary pages, Raj has earned a strong reputation in literary circles. Beyond mere writing, this young literary prodigy has also established himself as a respected voice in scholarly discussions and workshops, establishing himself as a noteworthy figure among aspiring and established authors alike.
Recently, Raj Abhishek Singh’s talent was recognized at the prestigious IIT Roorkee’s annual fest Thomso’24, where he was invited to judge a literary competition. This reflects the increasing acceptance of young talents in competitions, where these roles are generally reserved for veteran authors. Singh’s selection in this position speaks volumes about his intellectual approach, keen analytical skills, and depth of understanding of literary discourse, which has distinguished him even at such an early stage of his career.
After judging the literary competition, his role was extended to conducting a fiction writing workshop during the festival, where he showcased his art of writing fiction to aspiring writers. Raj Abhishek Singh, in the workshop, presented valuable insights into the art of fiction writing, exploring elements of storytelling, plot preparation, character development, and depth of themes. His command of the craft helped him engage with the attendees, nurturing the participants. The participants left the workshop inspired and equipped with new tools to hone their writing skills. A participant also included that the participants of the workshop were gifted copies of Singh’s debut book- An Untold Story.
Singh’s literary journey thus far reflects the potential of young writers. When asked about his motivation for writing, he said, jokingly, “It helps me fitter away my time”. But on a serious note, he also included, “Most of the time I have observed people, as a writer, when talking about books and authors, they assume that the author is older. I firmly believe that perceptions like this should change, as this has persisted for long. There are many young writers, important and uncelebrated, who are making significant contributions to the literature of this age and for the future. Age shouldn’t be the measure of a writer’s skill or impact; passion and creativity know no bounds.”
Raj Abhishek Singh stands as a testament to the idea that literature is not only shaped by established writers but also by the fresh perspectives of the new generation.
His story from being a commerce student to a respected literary figure reflects the idea that creativity can flourish in an academic discipline. For him, this is just the beginning of what promises to be a successful literary career. With plans for a fourth novel and many more literary pieces, Singh is going to make a remarkable contribution to the Indian Literary Landscape.
His recent accomplishments, particularly being called upon to judge at IIT Roorkee, serve as an inspiration for students across disciplines, demonstrating that academic background need not be a barrier to pursuing one’s creative passions.
