Chronicler of memory

The seeds of Aftertaste lie in the community she belongs to and a way of life that has almost disappeared, says author Namita Devidayal. Excerpts from an exclusive interview…

Having entered the literary arena with a semi-biographical offering, The Music Room, journalist-author Namita Devidayal now woos her readers with Aftertaste, a work of fiction about a trader family ruled by an iron-fisted matriarch. All is well till geriatric debilitation sets in but the hidden agendas, malice, and unfulfilled expectations (along with, hitherto unexposed shades of love and care) that get exposed give the reader an interesting glimpse into themoorings of a joint family. Namita Devidayal talks about how this book came about and her experience writing it…

How easy or difficult was the transition to fiction?
One of the many gems I got from being inside the ‘music room' was what the legendary singer Kesarbai once reportedly told my guru Dhondutai while teaching her: “You should develop different facets of your personality, girl. Sometimes, one part of you should not be able to tolerate the other. That's what makes a woman mysterious, unpredictable, and even bizarre.” This is the imperative that perhaps explains how I was able to seamlessly move from the magical, lyrical space of a musical memoir into a slightly dark narrative about a dysfunctional Indian business family. It wasn't difficult at all. Both books flowed quite naturally for me.

I think there is a tendency for both writers, and readers, to pigeon-hole themselves in genres. I have strong views that we must have the confidence to explore all parts of our writing — and reading personality — and be able to enjoy a work of ‘high literature' (whatever that means) as much as a light flip story, without judgment or precondition.

Full interview here Hindu