Crossword Bookstores have again held a delightful event for all of us bibliophiles in Mumbai. So on 22 June 2011, we were honoured with the presence of Amitav Ghosh. He was here to launch and promote his second book in the Ibis trilogy - "River Of Smoke". The first one in the trilogy was "Sea Of Poppies" which was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize in 2008.
I reached the Kemps Corner Crossword store an hour and half early, he was to arrive at 7 pm. The stage was set with 2 microphones and 2 chairs as we were to be entertained with a Q & A between Amitav Ghosh and Anil Dharker. The two arrived to an applauding audience. An introduction was given by Penguin publisher's representative and then Amitav Ghosh opened a copy of "River Of Smoke" to more applause.
Amitav Ghosh read from his new book and then a Q & A with Anil Dharker began. Apparently, Amitav Ghosh has many drafts before he comes out with a final product. He writes with a mechanical pencil, then with a pen and then finally onto the computer. He mentioned how writing can be a physically exhausting undertaking. He has his rituals before he can write, as obsessive as any author. He spends most of his time now in Goa. Anil queried about the research that goes into the book and Amitav held us spellbind with his answer. The book traces the Opium Wars and how China and India were forever changed at the hands of the British trading in opium.
Amitav mentioned how one Parsi character in the book took a life of its own and elaborated that it wasn't just the Parsis of India who became rich with opium trade. He cut to the present day when he mentioned the aluminium microphone stand and how Orissa is suffering through mining. He said that all of us benefit and lose through the devastation in other regions of the nation or world.
Anil was all praise for Amitav, going as far as to say that anytime soon Amitav would win the Nobel Prize in Literature ("if Nobel Committee know what they are doing").
Then the audience were allowed to ask questions. One person mentioned how reading is a lost habit in USA and same trend is appearing in India. Amitav Ghosh disagreed and said things have changed drastically in India. When he started out, selling 200 copies would be considered a success. There were no bookstores other than a small corner with a pile of old books. Now, he says, there are so many new writers, more publishers and a range of bookstores and books for the readers.
One old gentleman was very interested in Amitav's mention of a mechanical pencil. He quizzed the author about what it is and where to get it. Amitav entertained him and mentioned it's not available everywhere. Another person mentioned Amitav's fascination with the sea and how it appears in his novels with poetic descriptions. Amitav admitted he is a "sea person", that he has lived among mountains but prefers the sea - "the mountains divide locations while the sea brings us together".
Another fan asked that since his books are so picturesque, why hasn't a movie been made based on them. Amitav mentioned that an Italian producer was interested in adapting "The Calcutta Chromosome" into a movie. He also mentioned that one of his friends is adapting "The Hungry Tide" into a feature film.
I asked him why Indian authors and publishers don't seem to accept Science Fiction. Amitav had won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for his SciFi "The Calcutta Chromosome". I also asked him if he will write one more SciFi. Amitav mentioned a couple of Indian authors who have written SciFi and said that his own historical fiction takes as much effort as a SciFi, to create the fictional world and everything within it.
Soon it was time for the book signing and people queued up. I got 3 of his books signed by him, namely - Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke and The Hungry Tide.
Few snaps from my lousy mobile phone:
Amitav Ghosh with Anil Dharker
The book launch
Amitav reads from his new book, River Of Smoke
The Q & A session
One of the Signed First Editions
