writer, publisher and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Live interview: Friday 18 November 2011, 15:00 H

hello booklovers everywhere !
 

#1Hello Namita – you programme lots of festivals in India. What is special about Malayalam literature?

Sanjoy
10:52

 

The intensity of the literary experience here in Kerala is very special and valuable – books are not just entertainment via words but the stuff of life.

#2You’ve said that writing is an emotional and healing process for you, could you tell us more about this? thank you

pooja
10:54

 

There have been phases in life when I had to cope with loss death and despair. Writing, also reading, helped me negotiate this dark phase and to reconcile with and surrender to the process of living….

#3What are you most afraid of?

Suraj
10:55

 

I was thinking of this last night. I have many minor persistent neurotic anxieties but no real fears, except perhaps the fear of fire, which stems perhaps from a childhood trauma.

#4Do you only ever write in English?

Nadia
10:56

 

Although my Hindi is excellent as spoken Hindi, but I cannot use it as a literary tool.

#5And what do you think if the state of Indian writing in English now?
Thanks for your time.

Nadia
11:02

 

Indian writing in English is often very good, but the window of perception of people who write in English is sometimes limited when they tackle “Indian themes” .The excellent writing in other languages tends not to get the same visibility but things are changing.

#6I asked Anita Nair a similar question- I’d like to hear your thoughts on feminism in India. Is it a young movement? Where do its strengths lie? what are its limitations?
Many thanks and very best to you.

Sahair
11:10

 

Indian feminism is quite different from the fragile western notion and is rooted in many cultural contexts. Indian women nurture and hold society today and its important they dont abandon this to become men in suits. But there are dysfunctional archetypes and societal cues, and Ive discussed some of these collective woundings in the anthology “In Search of Sita”

Thank you all for your questions