MARIAN OF THE WEEK IN ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, YOUSUFGUDA

RAFI YAHYA SYED

Rafi was a student of St. Mary's from 2010 to 2013. He studied B.A. Mass Communication while pursuing his passion - writing. His two novels, the first of 13, are to be launched sometime soon. I have known Rafi personally and I must say, he is humble, creative and dreamy. Rafi does not know who The Admin is, however. Here's a one-on-one chat with Rafi -

[Rafi, do you like your name?]
Rafi : Aye, I love my name. The meaning of Rafi is friend and I certainly strive to live up to it.


[Writing must be your first love. What's your second love?]
Rafi : Writing and nature are my first and second. Almost interchangeable.


[If you were to describe yourself in 33 adjectives, how would you?]
Rafi : Friend, loyal, romantic, rebel, imaginative, creative, innovative, lover of nature, wildlife enthusiast,
ambitious, explorative, adventurer, thrill seeker, poetic, lover, hipster, pacifist, masochist, sports lover,
tree hugger, eagle feeder, forgiving, acceptor of all emotions, lover of diversity, knight for women
power, dinosaur freak, deep thinker, psychology lover, philosopher, hyperactive child, spiritual,
meat lover, futbolista.


[Did you like attending school?]
Rafi : I studied in a pathetic and mediocre shame of a school but I like classic institutions.


[Why did you go to St. Mary's?]
Rafi : Because it was nearest to what I wanted as a proper college environment available here.


[Did St. Mary's help the writer in you?]
Rafi : A lot. I wrote two novels by hand in the classroom.


[What are your two novels about?]
Rafi : My novels are two parts of a 13 part high fantasy series. They are set in my fantasy old world of Êpìdræ. To sum the concept: it is an amalgamation of all things I love. It follows memoirs from a world which has over 60 races and forty languages and countless poetry.


[What kind of books do you read? Which is your favourite book?]
Rafi : My favourite genre is High Fantasy followed by murder mysteries and spiritual books. My favourite book is The Hobbit by Professor John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.


[Who is your favourite author? Why?]
Rafi : Daddy Tolkien! Professor John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is the father of High Fantasy. Through the chalice of his immortal essence of escapism, I drink the mirth of High Fantasy and renew passion for my world Êpìdræ. Whilst others take inspiration from his work, I take inspiration from his passion and love.


[Ever experienced near-death situations?]
Rafi : Several times.


[If you were to be dropped off on an uninhabited island on which you could take just three things, what would you take?]
Rafi : Wood, rocks and water and build a home and also my grave there. It is my dream actually.


[What is the best gift that you've ever received?]
Rafi : A copy of The Hobbit by Professor J. R. R. Tolkien.


[How do you deal with female fans?]
Rafi : I am a Pauper Bard so I have no fans as such. But, the audience that I receive I treat them as friends.
Women are amazing intellectually and I make use of their thoughts toward my work and feel confident
and hopeful for my work to be accepted.


[Tell us about your pet cat?]
Rafi : My cat Pixie is a stray kitten that I have adopted. She is healthy, self-trained and loves to cuddle.
Her favourite past-times are licking and playing the mewing game.


[Three things that you would want to change about yourself?]
Rafi : Stop self-loathing, earn self-respect, stop being masochistic.


[Three things in this country that you would not want to change?]
Rafi : Its diversity, its forests and its food.


[Where would you want to see yourself in the next 3 years?]
Rafi : I would like to be a world acclaimed author trekking the Carpathian Mountains in Europe.


[What do you think is your biggest achievement, so far?]
Rafi : My world Êpìdræ penned and loved and lived in by other people.


[Would you want to say something to/about this page and/or The Admin?]
Rafi : Mary’s Confessions is one of my favourite anti-depressants and is a place. The Admin is a person of high tastes, classy humour and an individual I respect sincerely.

[Thank you, Rafi. I really liked your replies and I'm very sure that everyone else will like it too. The Admin wishes you the best in life!]