As far as I can remember I have been reading since age 7. When I say reading I don't mean to say I learnt to read or read well or very well. I was reading books related to Indian History, Anthropology and Sociology to help my mother as she had caught conjuctivities just before her BA exams. Somehow, it stuck with me. Reading. For some reason writing caught up with me a little slow. I would start writing a diary at age 13.The diary was only an excuse. I had started expressing my views and thoughts about various things. I made a wishlist of what I would write when I grew up. When I look back I am not sure where I inherited that kind of maturity at such an age (it seemed to taper as I got older). Anyway keeping a diary continued for the next 10 years. During this time I came across as a typical adoloscent/teenager/youngster confused and depressed with the world around her. I am not sure if I was maniacal or bipolar (Ok. It was not THAT scary). I would write stuff that only Freud would diagonise as something from the sub-conscious. It was creepy to see someone think like that. My friends said that.
As days passed I tried to be more objective in my approach to writing. I have heard many great writers say that they don't read much. Not sure if it's being defensive about 'inspired work' or 'imitation work' for I know for a fact that I thoroughly enjoy reading what others write. I also know I can be unique when I write because the experiences that I draw from are my own.
Anyway, speaking of uniqueness the first person who came to my mind associated with it was Salman Rushdie. I read 'Midnight's Children' in 2005 (Yes, that late!) and became a huge fan of him. I was awestruck with a modern English writer who could deliver quality and finesse with such grace that I benchmarked that book for all others I read later. It wasn't till I came to Toronto that I was introduced to Keri Hulme and Michael Ondaatje. I had also read Atwood's Blind Assassin just before I got here. Ondaatje's style mesmerized me in 'English Patient'. When I started 'Anil's Ghost' I was slightly put off by the stylizing and slow pace of the novel. Suddenly the plot thickened and the characters were unraveled one by one like flowers blossoming. I realise that Rushdie may be high up there for those intellectually starved but Ondaatje is a master story teller for both, the intellectual and lesser mortals!
The English language writers may be the most popular and noted literary figures in the world but the infinite treasure of native language writers cannot be ignored. I have read some of the greatest novels, short stories and poems from African, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, French, Kannada, Bengali and Malayalam writers - some translated to English. While a tiny fraction of world's population may be aware of other language writers there are translators who do great service to humanity by spreading the joy and sorrow of other cultures to rest of world. I hope that the world does not continue to dwell in the privacies of their lives but share what can enrich the lives of each other. Life needn't always be practical. We can weave our imaginations to put a smile on others or wipe a tear.
Comments