Kalki Koechlin makes Writing Debut with Motherhood memoir

Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin has turned author with a book on motherhood.

The news was announced on May 8, 2021, the eve of Mother’s Day.

It is an illustrated, non-fiction book titled Elephant in the Womb.

The graphic book is illustrated by Ukrainian illustrator Valeriya Polyanychko.

The book is a “candid, funny and relatable” account about pregnancy and parenting for mothers.

Kalki Koechlin has written the book based on her own experience of motherhood.

She has highlighted the darker side of the pregnancy and the psychological impact on mothers.

Talking about her motherhood experience, she said:

“While I was struggling with my pregnancy and my new role as a mother, it was my friends who helped me.

“They shared their rough times and dark phases and how they got through it with laughter and contemplation.

“That helped me more than those who spoke only of the glorious, blessed baby in the arms that brought light into our lives.”

Kalki Koechlin and her partner, classical musician Guy Hershberg, became parents to a baby girl in February 2020.

The illustrator of the book, Polyanychko, said that she could relate to the book.

She said that translating the book’s essence visually was a “profound” experience for her, adding:

“We often take motherhood for granted and assume that it’s something that just happens.

“Kalki’s book uses quick wit and a sense of humour to take the reader down the long and winding road of parenting.”

Penguin Random House India (PRHI) is the publisher of the book.

According to the publisher, Kalki’s writing make the reader aware of the psychological discomfort and manic expectations that make motherhood a bittersweet experience.

Manasi Subramaniam, the executive editor of the publishing house, elaborated:

“Kalki Koechlin’s book deals with the mother of all issues.”

“The fact that parenting is as exhausting as it is fulfilling, as draining as it is inspiring and as frustrating as it is joyous.”

She explained that ideally, motherhood is just praised as a beautiful experience but Kalki Koechlin has shown the other side of the picture. She said:

“We romanticise motherhood in popular culture.

“I’m so glad Kalki Koechlin has pulled back the curtain on what is essentially the physical and emotional labour of much of the female population.”

The book is set to be launched sometime in 2021.