Aura Bhattacharjee 'Dozen Pebbles Washed Ashore by Life' Interview | Respect the Author
Where are you from?: Mumbai, India
Tell us the story of how you got into writing: As a student since childhood I was most passionate about science - mostly Physics and Maths. However, for my leisure, I would incline towards arts- literature, music, dance. I used to read lot of books...all fiction stories and novels, in both English and Bengali (my mother tongue) languages, as a child. And that's how the passion for books developed in me. While I knew my career would be in Technology, I also had this knack for writing creative pieces during leisure. So while studying engineering, around 2012, I started aiming to write a novel some day. Until one day I realised, that I wouldn't be able to do so, because my perspectives about lot of things would keep changing and evolving every few months. So years later, one fine day, during a leisurely day during my MBA, I thought, why not write short stories instead, as I could capture small happenings in life, individually in different stories, without worrying much about connecting them with one another or thinking of the flow of events as my perception of those connections or flows would keep changing. It was this peaceful, stress-free time towards end of MBA when placements had already happened, and we were several months away from joining the companies. So I thought of leveraging this state of mind and start writing once again, this time, short stories.
What was your favorite book growing up?: The Little Prince
What is your favorite book as an adult?: Animal Farm
What is the name of your new book?: Dozen Pebbles Washed Ashore by Life
What inspired you to write the book?: While I'm a very social person on the facade, deep down I'm an introvert. I used to be very quiet as a kid. As a result, I used to listen and observe a lot, and remained that way throughout my evolving years. Being an emotional person as well, incidents which would apparently be very small, and not directly impacting me, would eventually leave a mark in my mind. For example, one story in my book revolves around this fun Indian ritual where the bride-to-be is thrown a traditional bachelorette by her aunts, grandmothers and lady cousins. In one such gathering, the bride-to-be has a heart-to-heart conversation with an elderly lady who has recently become a widow, and is still grieving. The elderly lady shares with her how marriage evolves over years and what companionship would mean in the old age for a couple. It's like a confluence between some one who's about to start a new life with some one who is embracing the end stage of life. Although this was one of the simplest stories I had written, I've received maximum appreciation from several readers on this very story. Readers have told me that they find several layers and intrinsic message in this story. Honestly, I hadn't given too much of thoughts into this story, and had just written in a very casual flow. So I was very surprised to hear these heart warming feedbacks. I believe that has happened because there was very little imagination, and it's based on a real conversation that I had witnessed in my life. Because I get impacted by these small emotional moments of life, I thought why not pen those down into some beautiful pieces of writing.
Tell us more about your new book: It is a collection of twelve short stories....small, smooth, colorful just like pebbles, shaped by the ebb and flow of life. If you are on a date with yourself, unwinding after a hectic day, relaxing on a leisurely weekend, or, travelling in a post-pandemic era; this book can be a good companion. The protagonists of the stories are based on real life characters from across demography and age groups, who have inspired me and whose thoughts and stories have touched me.
If I could give an example, the story about which I've received maximum feedback from various readers, is "Full Course Meal". Fun fact: this was also one of the most bland stories for me. i was actually in double mind before adding it to the book draft. Surprisingly, people who read my book, came back and told me that this was one of those stories which touched them the most. Because, apparently, this has several layers of intrinsic messages. Apparently, the story seems to be about the bachelorette party of a young bride-to-be. But on reading further, you realise it is actually about a confluence of emotions when that girl meets a recently widowed aged lady at the party. So we have two characters on two ends of spectrum of companionship in life, and we listen to their perspectives about this journey.
While I'm in no way a feminazi, but somehow, unknowingly, most of the protagonists have turned out to be ladies, from various walks of life. And when I say ladies, it is not JUST brave bold and perfectly empowered women. it is also about that young adolescent girl who is in that stubborn young-adult phase of life when she thinks she knows best; and only over time gradually sees value in her parent's advise. it is about that lady having a perfect dream job in corporate who realises her household help is no less of an empowered woman than herself, it is about young, foolish , newly bloomed love as well as about aging love amongst elderly couples.
Where do you go to get into writing mode?: A cozy corner in my room, with broad windows opened up to the views of distant hills and sea
Who needs to read this book?: Any adult can read this book. I say adult, because certain emotions would be beyond the level of maturity of kids. Anyone who is ready to sit back and enjoy a few smooth snippets taken directly from life, can enjoy this book.
Who inspires you?: Satyajit Roy has been an inspiration for me since my early childhood. The world knows him as the legendary filmmaker; and even the likes of Nolan and Akira Kurosawa have mentioned that they find his movies extraordinary and inspiring. But for a a Bengali (people coming from the state of West Bengal in India) like myself, Satyajt Roy is much beyond that. He is a that versatile genius who is also a household name for us. if there's one author whose complete written work has been read by me, it's him. And his writing is a vast collection, involving sci-fi, detective thrillers, short stories, long stories, novellas, folklores, horror stories, movie scripts. There have been movies for which A-to-Z of dialogues, music, costumes, direction, production have been done by him. he belonged to that realm where creativity triumphed over his health or financial conditions, and he would simply churn out one masterpiece after another; on topics ranging from classic socio-political satire, novel trilogies, to plain next door stories . That is what I find so inspiring.
How important is reading and literacy for youth in this world?: These things never cease to have importance. For youth, it is even more important, because the habit of reading, and nurturing literature helps mold one's perspectives better when these are started at a younger age. In today's world the necessity is even more, because otherwise the youth ends up spending a lot of time on social media. I personally think social media is a double-edged sword. It is a great platform to share creativity, get recognition. But in order to leverage that side of social media, one needs to nurture creativity first. Reading, and dealing with literature or any form of art first, develops dedication, discipline and empathy in you. After that, the youth is better equipped to utilise social media to engage in quality content, instead of getting lost in the ever increasing narcissism.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to create something they dream of?: Go for it when you are at your best state of mind. Don't rush for it, and don't add too much of expectations to it. Just do it because it makes you happy, and you'll be surprised with what you get back.
Where can people find your new book?: http://www.amazon.com/dp/9388698665
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/__aura__._/
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/AuraWriter/
Website: http://www.facebook.com/AuraWriter/
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