Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Interview with author Sudha Shah on her new book The King In Exile.
Sudha Shah, author of The King In Exile
Sudha Shah is a Mumbai-based writer who, after years of extensive research has written The King In Exile. Although Burma is our neighbouring country, very little is known about the history and the last ruler of Burma. The King In Exile promises to be an engrossing read on the fall of Burma’s royal family.
What made you write a book on Burma’s royal family? How did your interest in this subject come about?
I loved Amitav Ghosh’s The Glass Palace in which he wrote about the royal family of Burma. After reading the book, I was very curious about the family. How did this once all-powerful and very wealthy family cope with their loss and exile to remote Ratnagiri in India? Once the exile ended, what happened to the four princesses who had had almost no education or exposure while growing up?
I initially started researching the subject to satisfy my own curiosity, but soon discovered that, other than the occasional newspaper and magazine article, hardly anything had been written about the family after their kingdom had been lost to the British in 1885. This was a book begging to be written!
What was the hardest thing about writing The King In Exile?
I wanted to write my book as a human-interest story, not as a historical record of events. I was keen to have a strong story line, so that the reader would be curious to know what happened next. The most challenging aspect of writing this book, therefore, was trying to craft a compelling story out of the reams of material accessed by me—archival material, personal interviews, books, newspaper and magazine accounts etc.
The King In Exile has many important female characters; how well were you able to relate to them? If you were a man, would you have written the book with a different perspective?
I tried to step into each of their shoes — including King Thibaw’s. I tried to see things from their point of view. I related better to some of the characters than to others, but I empathized with all of them. I really don’t know if I would have written the book from a different perspective had I been a man, but I don’t think so because I don’t see my point of view in the book as being particularly ‘female’.
Who was the first to read The King In Exile? What was their first reaction?
My husband, Pradip and son, Karan. They found my manuscript interesting and were positive in their feedback. But they’re family, and perhaps they found it hard to be objective!
One book you would love to have written?
Since you ask for only one book, I’ll go with To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. Why this book? Because it’s a book that is beautifully written and tells a timeless, thought-provoking story. It’s a book that influenced me as a teenager, and captivates me as an adult.
Future literary plans?
I want to write another book — I’m following a couple of leads, but it’s too premature to discuss them as yet.
*Photo credit: Sudha Shah.
Now dear readers, a book giveaway for you!
Answer this question: Which royal or famous family in the world fascinates you the most? Why?
Just leave your answer as a comment below – and the best comment will get a signed copy of The King In Exile!
Please note: Only 1 comment per person. The book can only be sent to a valid address in India. Giveaway closes on 9 AM IST 29th Oct 2012.
So what are you waiting for? Comment away!
Update: Giveaway Closed.
And the winner is Nidhi Chandna! Congrats!
Previous Interviews in Author’s Corner:
Ayesha Salman of Blue Dust
Shefalee Vasudev of Powder Room
Tuhina Varshney of I’m Not Afraid Of GDPI
Yashodhara Lal of Just Married, Please Excuse
Rashmi Bansal of Poor Little Rich Slum
Meghna Pant of One & A Half Wife
Eowyn Ivey of The Snow Child
Shakti Salgaokar of Imperfect Mr.Right
Himani Vashishta of Princess of Falcons
Lata Gwalani of Incognito
Nina Godiwalla of Suits
Urvashi Gulia of My Way Is The Highway
Kiran Manral of The Reluctant Detective
Ameera Al Hakawati of Desperate In Dubai
Judy Balan of Two Fates
Women's Web is a vibrant community for Indian women, an authentic space for us to be ourselves and talk about all things that matter to us. Follow us via the read more...
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Being a writer, Nivedita Louis recognises the struggles of a first-time woman writer and helps many articulate their voice with development, content edits as a publisher.
“I usually write during night”, says author Nivedita Louis during our conversation. Chuckling she continues,” It’s easier then to focus solely on writing. Nivedita Louis is a writer, with varied interests and one of the founders of Her Stories, a feminist publishing house, based in Chennai.
In a candid conversation she shared her journey from small-town Tamil Nadu to becoming a history buff, an award-winning author and now a publisher.
Nivedita was born and raised in a small town in Tamil Nadu. It was for schooling that she first arrived in Chennai. Then known as Madras, she recalls being awed by the city. Her love-story with the city, its people and thus began which continues till date. She credits her perseverance and passion to make a difference to her days as a vocational student among the elite sections of Madras.
Please enter your email address