1. Your journey to the literary world

When I embarked on this journey, I didn’t expect it to be an easy one. But I knew it will be an interesting one, and so it has been. It has its highs, its lows, and that is what makes this roller coaster ride exciting. There were times I thought I have created a master piece, the editors wouldn’t consider it any better than a tissue to wipe their behind with. Yes, it broke my heart, and I sealed the cracks and healed myself. That is what every writer does. That is what I did, I am still doing. But success tastes only sweeter when it follows failures.

2. Tell us about your book "The Bridal Pyre – Nainam Dahati Pawakah"

It’s not merely a book for me, I have weaved the lives of several woman into one texture through this book, or shall I say, I have tried my best to. I was delusional when at the age of 23 I thought I have education and loving parents, this patriarchy can do me no harm.  Reality slapped me left, right and center. I found the society we have formed for ourselves is hardly any better than the wild. I have interviewed several woman to get material for the book, after every interview I found myself devastated. There is no country for woman, it seems. If you are uneducated, weak – they will crush you. If you are strong, they will tarnish your glory. It’s a fight – from the day you are born to your death. And The Bridal Pyre – Nainam Dahati Pawakah depicts one such fight.

3. What are your views on Feminism? What is feminism for you?

Until recently I believed I was a feminist. But degradation of Feminism to Feminazism has compelled me to distant myself from its ideals. In the name of feminism, what I see around is the implication of everything that goes against civilization. Or maybe I am too old school for this generation. I sing for education, development, self –sufficiency, equal rights, self-reliance, independence of woman. I do not praise the SC on its laws that forces a woman to stay with her in-laws whether or not she wills to. I loathe my judicial system for it shying away from pronouncing marital rape as a heinous crime that calls for the severest of punishment. But when I see young girls propagating nudity in the same of equality – Men walk around shirtless, so shall we - I don’t see my thoughts resonating with theirs. Then they have their logic - Men are being unfaithful, so shall we. All the power to them, but if this is what has become of feminism, I am not a feminist.

4. How do you see social media?

One cannot live in the 21st century and deny the power of social media. It is certainly the voice of people, the voice that has the power to make itself heard and unite the world.

5. Your message to reader's community.

If you are a reader, as in a bibliophile, a book lover, read what enriches you, adds meaning to your life, appeals to you and brings peace to you. Don’t read a certain author or writer because it is the ‘cool’ thing to do, or because others will consider you ‘sophisticated' if they see you with a book from a certain author. Pick a book that speaks to you, in your language. Else, you are killing your time turning pages. Books and music should be of your own taste, else you won’t derive anything out of them.