Today, as I am all set to
interview the authoress of the much awaited book Daniel’s Diary, here is a sneak
peek to what actually is Rajeshwari Chauhan. We can describe her as a freelance
writer, artist, and teacher who loves to create realistic paintings on canvas
as well as doing wall paintings; she has also contributed as a script and
content writer for many creative and promotional literature, short movies, and
plays. “History brings tremendous joy in our existence...” says the
writer. So, here I present to you a chit-chat with whom her near and dear ones
call the Pied-piper...........
Vanya’s Notebook: Before
stepping in to the how’s, when’s, why’s and where’s of you and the book, let me
welcome you to the Literary world. With
this note, I would like to know your feelings. I mean, all your readers or
‘fans’ to be precise are dying to know, how you are feeling, now that you are
the author of a book?
Rajeshwari— Thank you, Sharanya. It feels simply great...
like all my efforts have paid off as the book is well received.
Vanya’s Notebook: Now that the book is in your hands and is
getting such a wonderful response, I would like to ask you, why did you choose
this specific genre to write in?
Rajeshwari— I wanted the story to oscillate between past
and present, fact and fiction, ecstasy and agony, history and mystery; a kind
of a double delight – like a fruit that offers succulent pulp, and also a seed
that contains an edible nut; a story that has soft as well as crunchy episodes.
Vanya’s Notebook: Statistically keeping in mind the
readership market these days, weren’t you scared of how the readers would
accept your work, it will work or not, etc?
Rajeshwari— It was pure passion that drove me to write it.
Of course, as you said, the statistics of readership market is of valid
concern, but, at the same time, as a writer I did my best to perform my part.
According to the back cover- When Mrinalini, an art restoration expert,
ventures into the ruins of Rang Mahal and the Palace of Sumangarh, an
accidental discovery of a skeleton and a manuscript detailing the exploits of
Daniel, a Portuguese artist, opens a window to the forgotten era of grace and
grandeur. The blossoming of love between a Moghul Emperor and a Rajput
princess, is seen through the eyes of a foreign traveller, who himself falls in
love with the Rajput Princess. The plot revolves around Daniel’s quest for
beauty and passion, the ecstasy and agony of love. He meets the famous
courtesan Mahamaya only to lose her. It also draws a modern day parallel in the
life of Mrinalini, a woman who seeks refuge in artistic pursuits and
architectural ruins when relationships in life confuse her. Will she be able to
decode the clues left behind by Daniel? Will the curse of centuries-old
unfulfilled love break into a happy ending for Mrinalini?
Vanya’s Notebook: After reading your book and talking to you,
I have learnt that you are very much similar to one of the protagonists of your
novel, Mrinalini, to be precise. Was the character of Mrinalini etched to
represent you to the world?
Rajeshwari— Bits of your life are bound to creep in when
you write a novel. Yes, I have similarities with Mrinalini; and, they are not
few in numbers, but still, Mrinalini neither represents me, nor is she my alter
ego.
Vanya’s Notebook: Your novel has two parallel tracks running
at the same time, the modern era and a time that is roughly around 4 centuries
back- Which era was more difficult to write on?
Rajeshwari— As such, none of them was difficult, but not
that easy at the same time. Historical era dealt with certain facts, so that
narrowed the frame down, and received a sharp focus; whereas, in the modern
era, there were many possibilities, and it could be chaotic with your
imagination going haywire.
Vanya’s Notebook: I had read somewhere that if given a chance
you would like to transfer yourself to 300BC or to the Maurya Dynasty,
Chandragupta Maurya rule to be precise, then why did you choose to write on the
Moghul Dynasty or Akbar’s rule rather than writing on the Maurya Dynasty?
Rajeshwari— I was fascinated by the secular union of Muslim
king and Hindu princess. The Indo-Islamic synthesis rippled along various
fields, like culture, cuisine, art, music, architecture, literature, and
language, to name a few. I hope, I am able to capture at least a spark of that
volcanic fire of Akbar’s personality. He was like an entire Sivakasi
firecracker factory on fire!
As far as 300 BC is
concerned, I am obsessed and working frantically on it. But, since it required
greater research, I dealt with Mughal era to start with.
Vanya’s Notebook: You had also mentioned that you would’ve
loved to be Megasthanese’s niece and write an account of the life of people
living in royal chambers, so, with that statement of yours, can we presume it
to be the topic of your next book?
Rajeshwari— Yes…though it is in its embryonic stage, I am
as delightful as a child with Kaleidoscope about it.
Vanya’s Notebook: Who do you owe your success to? I mean,
name one person who is the strongest and the most vital reason of you being at
this stage.
Rajeshwari— As mentioned in the acknowledgements of
Daniel’s Diary, there are number of people to whom I owe for this literary
trip; but, if I have to name one person, then that person has to be my mother,
Nalinidevi, who initiated reading and painting habits in me. She is a disciple
of Somalal C. Shah, renowned artist and student of Abanindranath Tagore of
Oriental Art Society, Calcutta. My mother’s stories and anecdotes would keep us
spellbound. Few years back, she took us to see her school and hostel in
Bhavnagar, and, I knew everything by the back of my hand, each painting, each
hall, because I had seen everything in my mind’s eye while listening to her
vivid description
Vanya’s Notebook: Describe one incident in your life which
ignited the love for History in you for the first time.
Rajeshwari— My mother and father had their separate
libraries. Mamma allowed us to use her books, but, papa was strict, and kids
were not allowed in his library; so, secretly, I would turn the key, tiptoe
inside, and pull out a book - one at a time. He had studied world history, and had
lovely collection of biographies and political essays.
Once I had picked this book of Russian ‘Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra’. It had lovely pictures and footnotes. Hearing someone approaching, I hid under the recliner and read about their tragedy with tears rolling down my eyes. I even scratched the picture of Rasputin, and made a hole where his face was.
Once I had picked this book of Russian ‘Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra’. It had lovely pictures and footnotes. Hearing someone approaching, I hid under the recliner and read about their tragedy with tears rolling down my eyes. I even scratched the picture of Rasputin, and made a hole where his face was.
Vanya’s Notebook: Prioritize and state the reason why? -
Fame, Money, Family, Yourself, History
Rajeshwari— Family first, as they give us the sense of
belonging.
Second I would place myself,
because I am the center around which my world revolves.
Third, history, as it brings
tremendous joy in our existence.
Money would come next,
because it buys comforts, and my hobby material. It allows me to be more
generous.
Fame is the last on the list,
as it dilutes you; and, I like to preserve myself.
Vanya’s Notebook: To the most tricky question of the
questionnaire, owing to the fact that you are not much into socialising, I, on
behalf of your fan-base would like to ask you- who/what actually is Rajeshwari
Chauhan?
Rajeshwari— I am happiest when I am reading on a swing or a
hammock in my garden. A birdbath there is a visual treat as many species of
birds love to visit it. This is the place where my imaginations get manifested
– either on canvass, or on a notebook, i.e. painting and writing.
My near and dear ones call me
pied-piper, as I love to be with my students, and there is always something new
round the corner; be it studies, games, projects, plays, funfair, tree
plantation, animal care, short film making, quiz, or something or the other.
Vanya’s Notebook: Hope, I didn’t bore you much with my
questions. For the parting note, I would like to request you to leave a few
words for our blog and of course for your readers.
Rajeshwari— Oh no! It was absolutely delightful. Thank you
so very much for giving me this opportunity.
Your blog, ‘Vanya’s Notebook’
is a wonderful initiative where you are not only providing an opportunity to
the writers to get their work neutrally evaluated, but also an important
platform to let their readers know about their creative process.
To my readers…what I can say,
“I am grateful to you for your wonderful response to Daniel’s Diary. I hope, I
will keep on fulfilling your expectations for times to come.”
Hope you
liked interacting with Vanya’s Notebook throughout the interview. Wishing you
loads of success for Daniel’s Diary and more to come.
“Thank you so much, Vanya for this interesting and meaningful
interaction. My best wishes to you and your entire team for all your present
and future literary ventures.”
Talking to the Royal blood of
Chhota Udepur- Rajeshwari Chauhan; has been bliss for Vanya’s Notebook. We feel
really honored to have been able to talk to such a wonderful talent of this
Literary world and also to share her message to her readers.
