Manasi Mathkar chats up author and co-founder-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival Namita Gokhale

Namita Gokhale has come a long way with some acclaimed works of text such as Paro: Dreams of Passion and now she has co-edited In Search of Sita — Revisiting Mythology. She has also created a niche for herself in the publishing industry with Namita Gokhale editions and Yatra Books. Here she shares her ideas about Indian mythology, literature and feminism:   

From editing a film magazine like Super to now writing thought-provoking philosophical books on mythological characters — how did the transformation happen?

For me, believe it or not, but both are in the same league. After all, aren’t filmstars larger than life and have this whole aura around them? I feel today’s films are all mythological. We just imagine the stars’ life and the wonderful things they do. In fact, I want to reach out to the young men and women and tell them that all these books that I write, like even the one on Mahabharata, are no heavy-duty stuff. These are simple stories. Philosophy isn’t that difficult to comprehend.

Are you fascinated with myths? What draws you towards them?

That’s true, my recent books have been based on characters like Shiva, Shakuntala and now Sita. See, the Puranas are somewhat like a lost muddle. There is so much to explore in them. My passion is to understand the popular culture. Back then, there were storytellers to carry forward the wonderful texts. There was also theatre and poems written on the folklore. Gradually, over time, mediums have changed. Yet, these are myths which have endured for generations together. That is what attracts me to them. At the same time, it won’t be only mythological characters for me. I’m coming up with a comic novel based on contemporary New Delhi.

How important it is to be a feminist to write the kind of literature you do?

I don’t think I’m a feminist. I definitely believe in equal rights for men and women. So in that sense, it probably isn’t necessary to be a feminist per se, just to write about our interpretations of Sita and her impressions in today’s world. In fact, I don’t believe in any ‘-isms’ at all, and follow very few rules. Yet, we have to accept the fact that life is unfair. When atrocities happen against women, a sense of justice is stirred. These things you cannot help but notice. At that time, we all have to rally together and help each other. That isn’t being a feminist. You just need to be sensitive enough to understand and realise others’ needs.

You are the co-founder-director of Jaipur Literature Festival. Tell us about the festival, which is now touted as Asia’s leading literature event.

Jaipur Literature Festival started small. It has become immensely popular over the years and its success lies in the fact that India, as a country, is a plural place for thinkers. Fortunately for us, our literature reflects that philosophy. Even though we have numerous languages, our text is just not prescriptive. And to be honest, the world is sick of being told what to write. Hence, the wonderful amalgamation of diverse literature that we see at the festival is loved by simply everyone.