The two Indo-french novelists

Venkat Poolabala is the first Indian who wrote a novel in French  after Toru datta who wrote Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers which was  published posthumously in 1879. 

 "Notre école" is the first French novel in 21st century written by Poolabala.  It is written not only in French but also in English as "Our School." It is published on 31st December in 2016. 

I first thought of making a French film but after waiting for two years I wrote a French novel

Circumstances that led to the writing of the Novel

You can see the French title Notre école on the cover page.    It was my French dream. I had the dream of making a French film.  I knew it was hard because the project not only needed young children who are willing to act but also capable of speaking French.  I am a French professional trainer so it is not difficult for me to train the students. In fact I have trained many students within a month and made many funny video and uploaded in Youtube. Of course they are very shot videos.  Film making is altogether a different ball game. I am prepared for it.

We can borrow money but not people. You know that parents here are willing to send children to regular IIT coaching schools. I was inspired by the story of the Chandran the auto driver whose novel has been made into a film that won first prize at the international film festival at Milan. I wanted to involve some children from my place and I hoped that they would win international recognition if not an award. I sought the help of many people I know. There was hardly any response. I had little hope but I wanted to give it a trial.

One day I received a request to teach spoken English to some poor children at Sramika Bhavan Vijayawada. I gladly accepted. I taught Spoken English for a dozen children free of cost during summer holidays hoping that they would also learn French and act in my film. They program was organized by SFI and presided over by Local MLC and other elite of Vijayawada.  A few journalists who attended the program reported it in the news.  First the children wanted to learn English then they would try French. When English program was finished they were in a rush to go to schools. I used to carry an LED television and a full HD camera everyday to shoot while training children. I struggled a lot and trained them well but nothing came out of my struggle except an exclusive interview in Prajashakthi on 16th July 2016.

I want to bring out this inspiring story with unparalleled motif by hook or by crook. I am hell bent on it. I did not waste a beautiful idea. I have brought out in the form of a novel.


The climax of the novel was written in Mattur. The last part of the novel takes place in Mattur. This needed more information of the Sanskrit speaking village in India. I could have got information from  google but I preferred to visit personally and get the first hand information.

Finally I had the fulfillment of a two year long dream. I have published and presented the English version of Notre école - Our school as a New Year gift to many of my dear friends and literature lovers. I am now waiting for their feedback.