Author, poet and essayist translated into over 30 languages

Live interview: Friday 18 November 2011, 14:15 H

Hey there
 

#1Your ‘Lessons in forgetting’ was fabulous’. What are you working on now?

kalyanaraman
09:48

 

A literary thriller set in Bangalore. And a historical novel set in medieval Kerala

#2today the youth prefers to read a work of absurd writing rather a work of class? does that worry you?

Gaurav Moghe
09:50

 

Yes, it does…it speaks of a congenital laziness being allowed to thrive rather than be dealt with. Good writing demands that the reader make some of an effort to understand the subtexts of what is written. And we seem to see a disinclination to make that effort.

#3Must have been a great experience having your book made into a film, how involved were you in the film? and how do you feel about the film?

Nithu Sidhu
09:53

 

I wrote the screenplay. So in many ways I was very involved in the thematic part of the film. But thereafter was what the film team did with it. I just saw the director’s cut and I must confess it was an intense experience…and even if I say so, a superb adaptation.

#4Having published novels, poetry, children’s books and essays, which genre do you feel most comfortable in? Which do you write most?

Janine
09:53

 

Fiction. It is my first love and will always be. And I do tend to focus on it more than any other genre

#5how different is it to write for children and adults?

piyali
09:55

 

Writing for adults is perhpas easie rthan writing for children. For one, when I write my adult fiction, I don’t dwell on who is reading me. But with children, I am conscious of their age, their interests, what appeals to them and have to remember not to talk down to them.

#6I’d like to know more about what you think of feminism in an Indian context… is there a strong movement in your country? Are you part of it? thanks

Sahair
09:57

 

Feminism exists to the point that women are questioning the societal norms that have dictated their lives until now and are working towards a more definite female identity and to be comfortable in that identity. It would be imposssible for me to not be part of it.

#7Does Kerala feel like home?

Sameer
10:17

 

Yes, it is home or perhaps a place where I feel most at home in.

Thank you for being here