“Shantiniketan doesn’t have mountains or sea or any other such speciality. But it has nature!” – Koral Dasgupta

Well known writer Koral Dasgupta interacted with Spectralhues about her new book ‘Fall Winter Collections’ and the prominence of Shantiniketan in the story. In this interview she expresses her view on the recent remarks made over bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan and the returning of Sahitya Akademi awards. Also, in this interview, she speaks on the literary trends and the changes in the Indian literature. Following are the transcripts:

Tell us about your recent work Fall Winter Collections.

I wrote the book in bits and parts, mixing Bengali and English as per my mood, in my regular diary, long before when I was studying in Viswa Bharati, Santiniketan. It is about the nature and geography of the place, the culture and taste of the people, art/music/poetry that forms an inevitable part of that ambiance and I have tried to explore, through two disconnected souls, if love can breed because of a natural appreciation towards each other instead of burdening people with conditions that will make them meet pre-defined expectations.

Is there any special reason why Shantiniketan is of prominence in this story?

The place is beautiful. It doesn’t have mountains or sea or any other such speciality. But it has nature. That is one such place where you experience an autumn or any other season distinctly because of the blooms. Both my protagonists meet in Santiniketan. Trust me, in every relationship the place and resultant ambiance plays a very important role.

Both books reflect your amazing writing style and love for writing! Did you always want to become a writer, or did it happen by chance?

It happened totally by chance. When I write the first chapter, I hardly ever have the confidence that I will be patient enough to finish it. This still happens, even though I am two books down.

Your first book ‘Power Of a Common Man’ chronicles superstar Shahrukh Khan’s journey to fame after all the struggles he has had. How do you react to the recent verbal attacks on him after he expressed his viewpoints on rising intolerance?

It is weird, unfair and silly. Shows how insecure those groups are that they chose to take a personal dig at him. Also shows how poor is their vision of India that people are shown North because of their religious status. Not only SRK; someone said this for Farhan Akhtar as well, recently. I wonder why no one said such things for Nirbhaya’s rapists who would roam around freely now. Why didn’t anyone disown them and ask them to leave the country for committing such a crime? Is raising concern over intolerance a bigger crime than gang-raping a woman? Personally, though, I don’t believe that intolerance has risen. During the Congress rule, we heard Muslims killing Hindus. Now BJP is in power and we hear just the opposite stories. Religion is a hot ground for politics and media. We, educated citizens, can make efforts and do our bit instead of getting dragged into purposeless debates. For me the issue is never about Hindus killing Muslims or vice versa; it is more about humans killing humans. And I feel very helpless there.

Do you think parties should start initiating strict actions against their leaders indulging in hate comments and disgraceful mocking?

Yes, they should. In India the term “respect” hardly exists. Most of us get into verbal lynching when we don’t support someone’s point of view. It only shows how weak we are, and how we need everyone to agree with us so that we gain our confidence. Such elements certainly need to be addressed. Ideally, I feel ignoring them is the best way to handle them. Had we not reacted to them as a mass and allowed the comment to die its natural death, it would have been the best answer. We allowed it to gain some publicity.

What would you say about the Indian literary world, which is flourishing with numerous stories, growing number of publishing houses and writing competitions and contests?

That’s how an industry grows. It’s good that a lot of people are writing today. The flip side is, a lot of bad content also comes up when everyone is trying to cook a story. But then, till you have bad work on sale, how would you value good books that have something priceless on offer?

Author Koral Dasgupta (third from left) launching her latest book Fall Winter Collection.

What are the changing trends of the Indian literary world you have been able to figure out and analyze?

The most important trend is coming up of new genres with every passing day. These days, there’s a specialization area for the authors. Usually they don’t violate their genres. It works as a part of their branding as well. So competition is at both a micro and macro space. Writers compete with genre writers over quality. They also compete over the pocket-share of readers, which is usually not exclusive to a genre. Also the kindle habit is catching up among urban readers. There are debates on what gives a better reading experience – holding a physical book or kindling it! Book retailing has sufficiently gone online. Social media does most of the promotions today.

What changes do you think Indian literature would witness in the coming future?

I think more innovative genres and newer technics for social media promotions are coming up. Publication houses are already thinking of introducing a satchet culture to readers where they can buy, for example, first 10 pages and decide whether they wish to read the rest of the book. That would make it challenging for authors too. They have to plan their first 10 pages well.

What do you think about the diminishing space for free speech and debate and fringe elements hounding over writers for their views?

Nothing new. Those were always there. People fought and struggled and still expressed themselves. What happens in Bangladesh today is scary. But do you remember the year when Taslima Nasreen relocated?

As a writer how do you react to Sahitya Akademi winners returning their awards in protest of rising intolerance?

I appreciate and respect Farhan Akhtar for starting MARD after an employee from his Excel Entertainment was raped and killed. He is man of a man to have come out with such an idea. I would have respected our senior writers, artists, historians and everyone else much more if they too had come out with something concrete instead of just raising a counter issue. The government actually didn’t give them the award; people of India gave them, that too, not under this government. So what is the point? Returning awards and positions only derailed the focus and we spoke/supported/criticized/discussed/debated them. Biggies who haven’t yet returned their awards are discussing via social media, whether they should or should not return the awards. Such a joke it has become. What happened to those who lost lives? What happened to the family in Dadri? Is the son who was injured back home? What have we done to ensure protection of every citizen, irrespective of religion? Does anyone have an answer?

Having been a Bollywood columnist, how would you describe the glamour world that fascinates and attracts many?

The answer lies in your question. It’s the glamour that attracts everyone. Every boy wants to be Ranbir Kapoor. Every girl wants to be Deepika Padukone. Wear beautiful clothes, look perfect, have a perfect love story, or if it is not a perfect story at least people should understand and empathize. It is a make believe world. But the people in this world have a real life too, and that is often not make believe. They have their own personal wars. Should be left alone beyond a point. For example, asking Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor endlessly about each other’s personal equations is hopeless!

Tell us about the authors you follow and books you cherish.

My bedside rack has Tagore’s autobiography titled Jeebansmriti. Other than that there is To Sir With Love by E.R. Braithwaite, Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller, Pallace of Illusions by Chitna Banerjee Divakurani, Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt, complete works of Sukumay Ray, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. Other than these, I love the political fictions written by Tuhin A. Sinha

Should we expect more compelling books from you in the near future?

I have four stories to tell. Two, I have said already; two more to go.

Any advice for budding authors reading this interview?

Nothing. Have your own journey. I hate advices anyway. Can’t do this with anyone 😉

• About the Author

About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash