An Indian-born former U.S. professor and scientist, Mani has held research roles at Cambridge, MIT, and the Indian Institute of Science, and served as Associate Professor at Georgetown University as well as Senior Director at Yahoo.
He is the award-winning author of two novels and nearly fifty shorter literary works published in leading U.S. and British magazines. His acclaimed thriller Toxic Spirits, inspired by his time teaching in Thailand’s Golden Triangle, was praised by Frederick Barthelme as “a complex and enthralling international intrigue” and by Kirkus Reviews for its “taut, highly descriptive prose.” His second novel, The Conquest of Kailash, exploring Buddhism and the search for meaning, has been translated into French and released as an audiobook.
Among his many literary honors are Author of the Year (Kolkata Literary Festival), Glimmer Train’s Very Short Fiction Award, and the Million Writers Award Notable Stories.
We look forward to his presence and insights at the festival!