In this episode, we will hear the thoughts of two writers who have explored parts of India that are usually left out of the country’ popular imagination. In the first segment, we will hear them exchange thoughts about the construction of this quote-unquote Mainland India and comment on the intangible relationship between memory, space and place. In the next segment, Janice delves deeper into the role of setting in her own writings and shares reasons to look at creative writing with a decolonial lens. Pankaj paints a mesmerising and heartbreaking picture of marine turtles from the islands, and unravels the story of development and climate change. The episode ends with a treat to the listeners as our guests recommend some exciting books where setting is a major player in the narrative. 

Guests:

We have with us Janice Pariat, who is  an acclaimed author of contemporary literary masterpieces such as Boats on Land, Seahorse and Nine Chambered-Heart. The award-winning writer from Northeast India also teaches the craft of creative writing at Ashoka University. The other guest with us today is academic, photographer, researcher and author Pankaj Sekhsaria. He  is the author of four books on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These include Islands in Flux – the Andaman and Nicobar Story, a collection of his journalistic writings on the islands, and his debut novel, The Last Wave, a story deeply embedded in the history, ecology and people of the place.

This is the third of the six episodes of the Reimaginings series. Keep a lookout for more episodes in the coming months.