I am Louisa Kamal, global citizen, product of a Western upbringing and education, and Eastern growth and maturation; a woman who is strong but soft; creative but controlled; empowered but vulnerable. I am a writer. And a photographer. A writer by background and training, having been a bookworm since childhood and an MA in English literature after my university studies. Photography is something else: I am not a technical photographer in any sense of the word and have little use or time for all the pages of instructions in my camera’s manual. I capture what I see with my heart. My verbal creativity, especially haiku, is often inspired by a visual encounter, and people comment that my images contain a deep sense of humanity, beauty and candidness. These are the same qualities that I try to bring to my written works, to the poems I create, the articles I write and my non-fiction works. More than that, I strive to permeate my everyday life, my encounters with friends or strangers and my daily activities, with comparable qualities: humility, frankness, compassion and kindness. Not easy in our modern world which values ostentatious signs of success over unassuming inner peace and contentment.
Take time to get to know me through my posts and online presence...and reach out if you would like to know more!
"Not long after her last visit (the sixth) to the Himalayan country, Kamal returns to Nepal once again, hoping to find peace and clarity after her separation from her emotionally abusive husband in Thailand. But with the COVID-19 pandemic concerting its grip on the nation, she becomes stranded, unable to return to Thailand. She finds solace and comfort with one of the Nepalese “brothers” she has met earlier during her time in Nepal. Many years younger and the owner of a small trekking and expedition firm, Arjun turned out to be a love match. As they embark on their unconventional journey of love, there are moments of passion, doubt, joy, and small sorrows. But the relationship goes so well that the reader keeps waiting for it to crash, right up until they are finally together in the end having overcome all the difficulties. The memoir deftly captures the Nepalese customs, culture, and traditions within its pages, showcasing the unmatched beauty of the majestic Himalayas while never sugarcoating the prevalent corrupt political practices among the bureaucracy in the nation (despite the policy that foreign nationals cannot open a bank account, the author succeeds in obtaining a bank account complete with passbook and ATM card). At the same time, the book subtly explores the intricacies of love and relationships, second chances, mistakes, regrets, and self-discovery while delving into the tumultuous period of COVID lockdown. Both a travelogue and an insightful memoir about finding love and happiness during the COVID lockdown, this is a must-read.'
Read the original review here.
"Louisa Kamal captures her mixed emotions of both highs and lows during her tumultuous year with resounding precision. The readers can share her struggles both internally and externally throughout A Rainbow of Chaos. Her story of finding love again in such an unpredictable and scary period of COVID-19 is inspiring and positive" Read the whole review here.
"How wonderful it feels to read a book with so much authenticity and reality. The way you open your heart, soul, is extremely relatable.... the trueness of your book makes us feel what you felt. You're so talented in the way you share so we can feel it and relate. A true gem. It's so rare."
What an interesting and unusual life Louisa Kamal leads! Reading "A Rainbow of Chaos", at first I did not expect such a deep insight into her personal life... her travels in Nepal; finding the love of her life while being stranded there during the COVID pandemic; learning how badly hit the nation’s tourism industry was. I suffered as well as enjoyed her life with her and learnt so much about this wonderful country. Hoping to soon read the sequels about this gifted writer’s life in Nepal!