Sex, drugs and videotapes

In her new book, The Sea of

Innocence, author Kishwar Desai writes about a rape, murder and investigation set in Goa

Author Kishwar Desai calls her books gender- centric social thrillers. In her novel, Witness the Night, she tackled female foeticide and won the Costa First Novel Award. Her second, Origins of Love, was set in the murky world of surrogacy. In her third book, The Sea of Innocence, she writes about a rape, murder and investigation set in Goa. Kishwar Desai tells Ekta Alreja she wants to create awareness through her books

Q: What made you choose rape and murder as a subject?

A. It was something boiling within me for a long time. As a journalist, I have come across many cases. Every time I come back to India, I am astounded by a new case being talked about. Delhi is the worst of all cities and states in India.

Q. If Delhi is the worst, why did you set your novel in Goa?

A. There’s a common misconception that nothing happens in a cosmopolitan setting. That’s not true. We are all aware of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager whose bruised and half- naked body was found at Anjuna beach in February 2008. My novel takes you through a similar story that further unravels the squalid underbelly of Goa. I have come across a lot of similar incidents during my research of the book.

Q. How do you think the situation will improve?

A. There’s no denying the fact that it’s very difficult and it’s too late to change things completely. But we can always create more awareness and that is what I aim to do through my books. I am trying to make youngsters aware of the cases that have happened and how they can protect themselves. The book also brings out the issues of female sexuality and its expression in public places.

Q. Is fiction a good way to explore such subjects?

A. Yes, it does give you a margin of safety, freedom to explore and tell stories in a better way. You can immerse yourself in a story and then write for the world. Whereas in non- fiction books, the facts have to be stated right, you can’t go wrong with them.