Subhechcha Ganguly 
Samadrita Ghosh is currently pursuing her Masters in English Literature from Tripura University. As an extrovert who loves delving into deep conversations with people, she pens down these stories for the world. Besides co-authoring several books like “Prismatic Hearts, Time Lapse: Ageless Stories, Lores of Heart”, she is engaged in several hobbies like playing the guitar, reading and singing. Let us know more about her in this interview.
Q1) Since when did you start writing? What was your first writing experience like?
Ans: My grandfather (mother’s father), back when I was barely in standard one, had ingrained this habit in me of writing at least one page daily on anything that came to my mind – be it on my parents, my grandmother, my neighbour or my pet. So, you can say writing has been a part of my daily curriculum almost, ever since I was a kid, and kept being one as I grew up. But discovering myself as a writer came in much later. It was a very recent event, actually, in 2020. The looming uncertainty of the pandemic, sitting idle, locked up in our homes sort of brought my creative self out of the shell. I wanted something different, a change from this monotony and anxiety I was living in. Since writing has always been my escape, I chose to do something with it. I had so much to say to the world about the world, the stories of people I’ve met throughout my life and about myself.
I had never really publicized my work as such before, so it was a whole new ball game in itself. My first write-up was actually a small Bengali piece – a story just based on dialogues; which I had written for a page (ashtey_ladies) that me and my college friends had opened on Instagram. That was my very first experience of writing something on a platform that will be visible to the mass. It was brimming with anxiety! Back then I used to be very insecure about the content I was giving out to the public; especially because up until then, I had been technically writing for myself. Now, I will be writing for potential readers. But I have got to say, the comments that dropped in were more than encouraging – from friends, the friends of these friends, strangers who happened to stumble upon my piece, other writing platforms, etc. That was a great boost for me. And since then, I never turned back.
Q2) What is your favourite genre when it comes to writing? Mention some of your favorite books?
Ans: I have experimented with a lot of genres to figure out which one I am more comfortable with; and fiction is the obvious choice. I have written romance, horror, psychological thrillers, sci-fi, bildungsroman, speculative fiction. But I prefer historical fiction more, because they not only bring in the imagination component, but set them up on the backdrop of realism. Besides, I believe it is a genre that can amalgamate a number of different styles of writing – a personal narrative for instance. I can write about any historical incident from the perspective of a contemporary common man, the effects this incident might have had on their lives and social milieu. It is so versatile in its approach; it can fly in any direction yet still be rooted to history. I am a retrophile; obsessed with the nostalgia element, stories of Indian royalty, heroism, the oral myths, folklore which are extremely essential in order to write a successful historical fiction. And each of these are exceptionally interesting in themselves; they hold so much potential to expand their boundaries. In fact, my very first amateurish novella was based on a myth of the Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan, which by the way, I am trying to edit and give it a more mature structure.
I am a voracious reader and I die for Jhumpa Lahiri’s works. She is my favourite author. I have read every single one of her books, Unaccustomed Earth being my most favourite. Other than her, definitely Khaled Hossaini with his A Thousand Splendid Suns – a heart-touching piece with such grave issue as its plot! I am a Bengali, and I have grown up reading all kinds of Bengali novels, short stories, plays from Tagore to Ray, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay to Bibhutibhushan, Saradindu Bandyopadhyay, etc. I was speaking of historical fiction earlier and my fondness with the genre. I will accredit Saradindu Bandyopadhyay and his historical novels with infusing this admiration in me early on. I keep returning to his Tumi Shondharo Megh, Tungabhadra’r Teerey and his Sadashiv series; not only because of the socio-political ancient Indian backdrop, but also the perspectives and lives of the common subjects that are depicted there. Just a few years back I started reading Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s retelling of Indian mythologies from unique perspectives. She is certainly an inspiration.
Q3) If you ever plan on writing a solo book what would the topic be?
Ans: I have been investing myself in writing poetry currently, to expand my boundaries and get out of my comfort zone. So probably a poetry collection is on the way. But if you are asking about a novel, I think it will unquestionably deal with realism. Maybe a bildungsroman, or if it happens that my Muses are generous enough, I might just end up writing a historical fiction myself.
Q4) Nowadays the youth does spend a lot of time on social media. It often causes social media addiction, what are your views on this topic?
Ans: Every product of an age has its pros and cons. We are living in an era which cannot function without the digital, the virtual. Ironically, some prefer the digital more than the personal. You cannot blame anybody here either, because mankind is always rushing and one has to keep up with the speed so as to not get left behind. Most of us prefer texting more than talking over the phone, or going out and meeting up with friends – primarily because it gives an illusion of saving time. It is something that neither you, nor I can change. So, the world shrinks to those rectangular devices in your pockets; and when it is available to you at the click of a button, a tap to the screen, it is natural that an addiction will follow.
I believe instead of sitting and wallowing over this, the best way to deal is by making sure of the content that the social media is providing to the youth. Like I said, the world is available to you; it becomes imperative therefore to choose wisely where you are devoting your time. As a generation that has become aware of this issue it is our responsibility to create productive, healthy content – something which will not make the youth just sit at home hovering over the screen but make them go out and explore, enable them connect with people who will aid in their progress, not pull them back. I, myself, found like-minded people through a writing community – Knit a Tale – whom I call my second family now and honestly even though I haven’t met most of them in person, they have made me a better person, a better writer. So, I have seen both the sides of this coin – the addictive and the productive. Content therefore, according to me, should be given the primary importance in this matter.
Q5) How do you think writing helps a person? Do you feel writing helps to vent out emotions and thus can help people?
Oh absolutely! I believe there is no calmer way to vent emotions than this; and once you look at the words so methodically building your emotions, it’s a cathartic experience. Whatever style it might be in – a poetry, a sonnet, a story, a whole novel or just a few musings – writing channels the deepest feelings in one’s mind; and the best part is when one finds people who relate to it. It is a wonderous means of connecting with people all across the globe, breaking the boundaries that compartmentalize us, making us one. We all wear different masks, skins, personalities, but I believe emotions, our feelings that emanate from the core are the same for all. Penning them down is like extending a hand of unity, from core to core. It not only helps the person who is writing but also those who might be reading them – be it now or decades later.
