A tale of three sisters and the freedom to just be
What inspired Independence? Was the story of three sisters navigating Bengal’s pre- and postPartition landscape something you had been working on?
My previous novel, The Last Queen, about Maharani Jindan, the wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who fought valiantly but ultimately unsuccessfully against the British, created in me a desire to write about the end of the British occupation of India — when they were forced to leave and India gained her freedom. I started thinking of a story, and the sisters came to me. I had not exactly planned it.
It was kind of serendipitous, and it seemed powerful, like ancient tales with three sisters in them.
The title exemplifies what you have attempted to do with the novel, where independence as a concrete political and historical event is presented alongside independence as an abstract and personal entity that all three sisters strive to achieve...
As you mentioned, this book is about the concept of Independence — what it means for a country, and what it means for its women. It is my deep belief that for a country to be truly independent, its women must be allowed independence. So the choice of the title came to me quite serendipitously. For many of my books, I don’t know the title until the end. But this one was clear from early on.
The book mentions how the medical college admissions process discriminated against women candidates in pre-Independence India. Did you draw on any particular narratives?
My grandfather was a doctor; much like Nabakumar in the book, he had a free clinic in his home village. My mother told me that she had also wanted to be a doctor, but it was not possible for her because of the gender discrimination at the time. She became a teacher, which was considered more acceptable. So yes, personal and family narratives really inspired this book.
Certain songs and anthems appear at crucial points. Did any of them form an important part of how you encountered Partition tales when you were growing up?
Again, there were so many stories from my mother about marching and singing Bande Mataram, and facing lathi charges. Or of people singing the national anthem on Independence Day.
Songs were a big part of the resistance against the British. I love these songs. I grew up listening to them.
Tagore’s songs were so inspirational to so many. They still have such power. I wanted to make all this a big part of the book. I am so glad my publisher has put a QR code in the book so readers can listen to these songs for free.
Love and desire appear as central thematic concerns across your works, especially when they are pitted against the many societal expectations imposed upon women. Was Priya and Amit’s story also a way to articulate this tension?
You are absolutely right; it was. A major theme in the book, in addition, is that often when women choose a career, it sometimes negatively affects their personal lives. They have to sacrifice many things. They have to fight harder. That is the case with Priya. At a certain point, she has to make some difficult choices.
Your previous works of fiction have also dealt with the articulation of a Bengali heritage expressed through the English language, particularly when it came to the immigrant experience. Who are the writers from a similar background who have served as an influence for your writing?
There are so many writers I admire. Amitav Ghosh tops the list for me
What are you working on next?
I am veering into non-fiction, telling the story of two inspiring Indians. You’ll have to wait awhile to know who they are.