In her first book, Few Moments of letting Go, Kavita delves into the life of the protagonist Maya Dewan. The author drew inspiration from George Eliot’s book The Mill in the Floss and later from the works of Paolo Coelho. By Shrabasti Mallik
You mention that life itself is the inspiration for the book Few Moments of letting Go, but the narrative is a lot about the relationships in life, some complex and some simple. Were any of the instances in the book taken from real lifeIJ
Frankly there could be some episodes which might have a resemblance to certain incidents in life but then that's just about it being a debut book that always tears open the writer's soul and bathe into it. Every time I read a book I find something or the other that is similar to my life. That’s how a reader relates to it because books take you to a different world where at times you find your own self passing by. So, yes this book is entirely me and at the same time is totally a piece of my imagination and a pure work of fiction.
Is Maya Dewan, the protagonist of the book, a reflection of youIJ
This book is me because it is a figment of my own imagination. Maya Dewan, of course is created by me and is my creation. She comes from me and goes back inside. She stays there in whatever I do. However, I am not Maya. I have my own identity, my own interests and all that makes me very different from her. In fact, unlike her I am a very social person and love to be surrounded by friends. I enjoyed creating a character where I could feel her emotions and walk through her struggles separately. There are moments definitely when Maya peeps out of my mind but she is not me.
What are the other subjects, emotions and issues that you have weaved into the storyIJ
Well, I have always had great respect for women. I have always felt very closely towards the various situations, even at times grave that they have to go through. I believe as a woman you don't get your deserved share in this country. Hinduism was a culture where women were worshipped. In fact still are. Women were supposed to me more powerful. Today when I go around looking at things that we are doing to our girls like killing them before they see the light of the day or when I read about children being raped it pains my heart. Then you have politicians and people blaming women to be responsible for getting raped or going through what they do, I always wonder what a child would do to have such a situation be cast upon herself. I mean not that I am a feminist, I am definitely a humanist and I do love men but I think we need to take a stand for ourselves. This is something I have tried to touch upon in my book also besides human emotions. My dream is to see a country where people do not differentiate in human beings basis gender. I would not want parents to stress out over getting daughters married or people not being able to appreciate Indian women
You are a working woman, a devoted wife, a loving mother and a dutiful daughter. How did you find time to put down your thoughts for this bookIJ
Well it has been a difficult journey for sure. I have been working on this book since many years. I have been through my own share of tough times, lonely traps, unnecessary distractions but only thing that kept me going was my passion towards writing, besides my love for my daughter and my dad. The seed of Maya Dewan was planted into me from a book I read years back, which was The mill on the Floss by George Eliot. The turbulence, confusion, innocence that her character Maggie had was wicked to my mind. Somewhere I became friends with Maggie in the corners of mind. However the final inspiration came from Paulo Coelho. I have always loved the way he portrays people in his books with simplicity and ease. In fact they are so real that you start relating with them. I would always have this restlessness till one day I realised I need to do this same thing. I need to write, to create someone like that who inspires like and dislike in people at the same time. Someone who can go down in your deeper minds and help yourself to know it better and then you hate them for doing so, in spite of the fact that you want them to do it to you again and again.
Tell us something about turning into a writer.
I have always been writing. I always wanted to become a writer. Its my passion, my dream. Yet at times life traps you in mundane things for survival even though when you don’t connect with them. I wrote my first poem in the sixth standard. I have a large collection of poetry which also I am going to compile into a book soon. However it took me a little while before I realised that to put myself to peace writing is what it would take. Writing is my calling and it’s only now I have started practicing it better. Hence, I take time out in the realms of night to embrace my pen though sometimes it gets demanding in terms of managing time for everything.
Did you have to do any reading or research for the bookIJ
Yes. I had my own share of work to do before I came up with the book. Since I have touched upon some of the sensitive topics like human trafficking, Sex and adultery in my book I used to keenly observe people besides reading research papers and articles on these topics. I must say it was also painful and disturbing to come across inhuman situations while reading and that’s where I say that we really need to take care of our women.
How long did it take for you to finish the bookIJ
Five long years and I didn’t finish it still. The journey still is alive inside me day in and day out. This is because all characters a writer creates live with him in little corners of his mind forever.
Now that the book is out and receiving such a warm response, what would you be working on nowIJ
I am so glad that it has been accepted by people and have generated some of the best reviews. It obviously feels good to have your work appreciated. I am already working on two more projects. Since I love children and am also a psychotherapist I am working on a book on the same. Besides this I am also working on another piece of fiction. I love to write though I am always hard pressed against time, having a child, a job and all that regular day to day mundane things that everyone has to go through yet I am hoping to come out with my next book soon.