In this exclusive interview, Chitra discusses her latest novel, "Independence", which coincides with the 75th anniversary of India's independence. We explore her process of blending historical facts with fiction and the profound themes of freedom and resilience that run through her works. Chitra also opens up about her inspirations behind iconic books like "The Palace of Illusions" and "The Forest of Enchantments", sharing insights into the challenges of reimagining the Mahabharata and Ramayana through the eyes of their formidable heroines.
From discussing the evolution of her female characters to revealing the meticulous research behind her narratives, Chitra provides a deep dive into the art of crafting stories that resonate with readers around the globe. We also touch on her views about the changing perceptions of readers and her advice for aspiring writers who wish to weave historical events into compelling fiction.
Don't miss this heartfelt conversation that not only sheds light on Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's literary journey but also offers inspiration and a wealth of advice for both readers and writers alike.
Get "Independence" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni here: amzn.to/4fh3QQd
Here's how the conversation went:
0:00 - Sneak peek into the video and introduction
2:22 - Ms. Divakaruni's upcoming novel
5:59 - On the Last Queen getting optioned for a movie
10:27 - On Draupadi from "The Palace of Illusions"
13:52 - Challenges faced when writing about Draupadi from the Mahabharat
16:09 - Time taken to write Palace of Illusions
19:58 - Sita from "The Forest of Enchantments"
24:08 - Audience feedback of "The Forest of Enchantments"
26:56 - Evolution of strong female characters in Ms. Divakaruni's novels
30:10 - On Independence - the novel coinciding with the 75th anniversary of India's Independence
33:30 - Ms. Divakaruni's personal connection with India's Independence
36:37 - On writing the Last Queen during COVID and the lockdown
38:23 - On characters and their evolution in "Independence"
41:59 - Writing about India's Independence struggle and tying it together with fiction
44:35 - A sequel to "Independence"?
45:52 - Favorite character & most challenging character from "Independence"
48:10 - Letting characters pave a path for themselves
51:35 - Surprising discoveries when writing about India's Independence
54:38 - On female freedom fighters and role models
57:36 - Significance of music in the book "Independence"
1:02:36 - Advice to budding authors on writing historical fiction
1:04:43 - Recommendations of books written by Indian authors
1:08:19 - Questions from Meladunix Book Club members
Subscribe to our channel for more thoughtful discussions in the Literary Lounge, and make sure to follow us for updates on upcoming episodes. If you enjoy the video, give us a thumbs up, and don't hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you liked this discussion, you might want to take a look at:
Interview with Nona Uppal, the author of Fool Me Twice: th-cam.com/video/E7w7S3-4wrk/w-d-xo.html
Interview with Agustina Bazterrica, the author of Tender is the Flesh: th-cam.com/video/VIXr-MdHt8Q/w-d-xo.html
Interview with Mica De Leon, the author of Love on the Second Read: th-cam.com/video/tK4_afYlZ2s/w-d-xo.html
Interview with Nikki Marmery, the author of Lilith: th-cam.com/video/mmmRJeV90sU/w-d-xo.html
Book Review: Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: th-cam.com/video/g6_Bc14lncI/w-d-xo.html
The Truth About Self-Help Books: th-cam.com/video/hYEiQK5NBSs/w-d-xo.html
How to Start Reading Books: th-cam.com/video/WKRhOxsYyxQ/w-d-xo.html
#bookreview #bookrecommendations #interview #authorinterviews #author #authortube #chitra #chitrabanerjee #independence #literaryfiction #mythology #mythological #sita #sitaram #draupadi #ramayan #mahabharat