Author Sreekumari Ramachandran is celebrating a milestone in her 30-year writing career. Three publishers have brought out three of her books — The Evergreen Legends of Kerala, Ramayana for Young Readers, and Shakthan Thampuran The Lion of Kochi — in a row.

“I am filled with childlike excitement,” says Sreekumari, who has written across genres and styles. She has spent over 20 years reading extensively, but once she started writing after the age of 38, there has been no looking back. She has written fiction, biographies and on music and the act of writing still inspires her. “As I get older, writing has become an obsession for me,” says the septuagenarian, laughing.

After she translated the Aithihyamala, a compilation of ancient legends and folklore, in 2010, Sreekumari realised that the book served as a bridge to connect the younger generations to the wealth of Kerala’s story-telling tradition. It generated a lot of interest, especially among the younger readers. “It is one way to bring youngsters back to reading about Kerala’s rich and storied literary landscape,” she adds.

“However, I identify more as a writer than a translator,” Sreekumari adds. She is currently working on a historical novel, based on the Mahabharatha, set to be published in 2025. She is also working on a collection of horror stories.

The Evergreen Legends of Kerala published by Penguin Random House will be released on November 30 at the Kochi International Book festival at 6pm. Shakthan Thampuran:The Lion of Kochi, published by Prism Books, Bengaluru, will be released on December 3 at Kalikotta palace, Tripunithura, at 5pm and Ramayana for Young Readers by Mathrubhumi Books, Kozhikode, will be released on December 15 at Ernakulathappan Ground.