Travel + Leisure - India & South Asia
PURVEYOR OF A NEW WORLD
She is known for retelling Indian epics from the perspective of their female characters. Currently a resident of Texas, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni talks to ADILA MATRA about the outsider’s gaze, her latest book, feminism in Indian literature, and unique travel experiences.
All your stories revolve around strong women. Who is your inspiration?
My mother was a strong inspiration. She brought us up pretty much on her own and struggled to give us a good education. She was a teacher and believed in the value of learning. She always wanted to be a writer, but the world did not give her an opportunity. Perhaps I am fulfilling that part of her dream.
How did you get introduced to Hindu mythology and what made you retell it?
My grandfather was a great storyteller. He would tell us stories from our epics, so
I was familiar with these wonderful and complex tales from childhood. But as I grew older, I was not satisfied with what I learnt about the major women characters— not much space was devoted to them in the stories. We knew much more about the men, their wars, honour, valour, weapons, etc. And I wondered what characters like Draupadi or Sita were feeling in the most dramatic and tragic moments of their lives. I wanted to imagine those moments and bring them alive.
That was my mission in The Forest of Enchantments and The Palace of Illusions.
How important is it to have mainstream novels that tell women’s stories from a woman’s perspective?
There have always been writers who have focussed on women and their challenges— like Rabindranath Tagore and Mahasweta Devi. But these writers
The Last Queen. have been a minority. Things are changing, both in literary and popular publications. But I still feel we need more stories that tell a woman’s story from her perspective. Such stories allow us to empathise more with a woman’s challenges and learn how to deal with such challenges. Draupadi and Sita and now Maharani Jindan from my newest novel, The Last Queen, have been my inspirations during tough times.
You’ve been living in the US for some time. Do you think that has changed the way you approach Indian subjects?
Living abroad has made me more sensitive to Indian culture and values. I have become more appreciative of Indian art and music, and literature. However, I am very aware that it is a challenge to write about things that are not in our immediate lives, so I try to do as good a job as possible with research. Before I published The Last Queen, which is about a Sikh Maharani, I made sure that the manuscript was read by a Sikh woman who was familiar with the time period as well as Sikh customs.
Is there any unique place that stands out from your travels?
When I visited Tiruvannamalai in South India, I went to the ashram of Ramana Maharshi, whose teachings I had been studying for several years. It was an amazing experience. There was a divine energy in the Arunachala hill as well.
What is on your travel bucket list for 2021?
One of my school friends is now living in the Nilgiris. She sends me photos of the tea estate near her home as well as the mountains, lakes, flowers, and sunsets. I would like to visit her there.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni was a speaker at the 14th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival.