The Storyteller’s Tale
The Storyteller’s Tale, a novella published by Penguin is set in the 1700s at a time when the forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali destroyed Delhi. The author of this politically inclined book, Omair Ahmad talks to mybangalore.com about ‘The Storyteller’s tale’ and him.
How did the theme of ‘The Storyteller’s tale’ come about?
I didn’t plan it out. Actually I wrote the first story, from the storyteller’s point of view, and showed it to a friend, who commented that I had been unkind to the woman character. It was a bit of a challenge to then write another story from the woman’s point of view. Once I’d done that it seemed natural to write the third from the storyteller’s changed view, and even more natural to end it with the woman telling the final concluding story wrapping it all up together.
Was there a point where you felt that the storyteller was you?
There is ALWAYS such a point, no matter what you write. So, yes, bits of the book are obviously things I’ve thought about, but once the character was created, and even more when he started interacting with other characters, the storyteller was somebody else. We are the product of our experiences, and the book is about an 18th century poet fleeing a Delhi devastated by Ahmad Shah Abdali, something I am obviously not!
What prompted you to use fables as stories?
I like fables. They were a very important part of my early childhood. I hadn’t made any conscious decision to use them for a book, as I said this book happened, rather than being planned. But when I wrote the first story I was approaching a complex issue, and sometimes we can tell stronger, more emotional stories through fables than through other forms.
Alongside the definite political overtone, the private narration (by the begam and storyteller) makes it appear that it’s really about the matters of the heart. Does it dilute the political aspect to an extent? How were you approaching this as a writer?
Can we really say that matters of politics aren’t matters of the heart, and vice versa? I think that’s a false distinction. Politics are often about deeply personal matters.
The Storyteller's Tale has no glossary of non-English words. The Western reader isn't your target readership, then?
No. Primarily I’d written this for myself, maybe for a few friends. And maybe I just don’t necessarily care to explain myself to people who don’t know my culture. There is nothing too difficult in the book, but if you know your Urdu / Hindi you’ll understand and appreciate the poetry and ideas a bit better.
Could you tell us more about your four-book deal with Penguin?
Well part of that is a two book deal. Originally The Storyteller’s Tale was part of a bigger book, Unbelonging, which had a novella at the beginning, a novella at the end and short stories in the middle. Ravi Singh at penguin offered to publish it together or in two parts. During this time I was also working on a travelogue / narrative history of Bhutan, and so I received a separate contract for that. Ravi had also asked if I’d be interested in writing a book on a small town in India, since all my writing has largely been out of the main metros. I pitched him the idea of writing a book, The Fabled City, of interlinked short stories told by a farmer, a policeman and a dog (one of these was published in First Proof 4, and online at Brooklyn Rail). But I needed time and money to finish my Bhutan book, and I offered to write two other books, one a biography of my grandfather’s brother who served as the Pakistani High Commissioner to India without taking Pakistani citizenship, and the other a novel titled “Jimmy the Terrorist”, whose first draft I have just finished and which should come out early next year, hopefully.
What are you currently working on?
All of the above. (he laughs)
IN A NUTSHELL
1) On Sufism…
Something I had very little idea of, have just made a documentary on it with some friends for the MEA.
2) Your inspiration…
One of my political science professors once said we write about what troubles us. I come from a poor part, of a neglected state in a largely poor country. Isn’t that inspiration enough?
3) Your hobbies / interests…
Motorcycles, hiking.
4) The journalist Omair…
Very much the past! Or at least I’m hoping it is. Would rather write books, if finances allow.
5) Your childhood….
Complete believer in the saying, “You can only be a child once, but you can be immature forever.”
How did the theme of ‘The Storyteller’s tale’ come about?
I didn’t plan it out. Actually I wrote the first story, from the storyteller’s point of view, and showed it to a friend, who commented that I had been unkind to the woman character. It was a bit of a challenge to then write another story from the woman’s point of view. Once I’d done that it seemed natural to write the third from the storyteller’s changed view, and even more natural to end it with the woman telling the final concluding story wrapping it all up together.
Was there a point where you felt that the storyteller was you?
There is ALWAYS such a point, no matter what you write. So, yes, bits of the book are obviously things I’ve thought about, but once the character was created, and even more when he started interacting with other characters, the storyteller was somebody else. We are the product of our experiences, and the book is about an 18th century poet fleeing a Delhi devastated by Ahmad Shah Abdali, something I am obviously not!
What prompted you to use fables as stories?
I like fables. They were a very important part of my early childhood. I hadn’t made any conscious decision to use them for a book, as I said this book happened, rather than being planned. But when I wrote the first story I was approaching a complex issue, and sometimes we can tell stronger, more emotional stories through fables than through other forms.
Alongside the definite political overtone, the private narration (by the begam and storyteller) makes it appear that it’s really about the matters of the heart. Does it dilute the political aspect to an extent? How were you approaching this as a writer?
Can we really say that matters of politics aren’t matters of the heart, and vice versa? I think that’s a false distinction. Politics are often about deeply personal matters.
The Storyteller's Tale has no glossary of non-English words. The Western reader isn't your target readership, then?
No. Primarily I’d written this for myself, maybe for a few friends. And maybe I just don’t necessarily care to explain myself to people who don’t know my culture. There is nothing too difficult in the book, but if you know your Urdu / Hindi you’ll understand and appreciate the poetry and ideas a bit better.
Could you tell us more about your four-book deal with Penguin?
Well part of that is a two book deal. Originally The Storyteller’s Tale was part of a bigger book, Unbelonging, which had a novella at the beginning, a novella at the end and short stories in the middle. Ravi Singh at penguin offered to publish it together or in two parts. During this time I was also working on a travelogue / narrative history of Bhutan, and so I received a separate contract for that. Ravi had also asked if I’d be interested in writing a book on a small town in India, since all my writing has largely been out of the main metros. I pitched him the idea of writing a book, The Fabled City, of interlinked short stories told by a farmer, a policeman and a dog (one of these was published in First Proof 4, and online at Brooklyn Rail). But I needed time and money to finish my Bhutan book, and I offered to write two other books, one a biography of my grandfather’s brother who served as the Pakistani High Commissioner to India without taking Pakistani citizenship, and the other a novel titled “Jimmy the Terrorist”, whose first draft I have just finished and which should come out early next year, hopefully.
What are you currently working on?
All of the above. (he laughs)
IN A NUTSHELL
1) On Sufism…
Something I had very little idea of, have just made a documentary on it with some friends for the MEA.
2) Your inspiration…
One of my political science professors once said we write about what troubles us. I come from a poor part, of a neglected state in a largely poor country. Isn’t that inspiration enough?
3) Your hobbies / interests…
Motorcycles, hiking.
4) The journalist Omair…
Very much the past! Or at least I’m hoping it is. Would rather write books, if finances allow.
5) Your childhood….
Complete believer in the saying, “You can only be a child once, but you can be immature forever.”