Celebrating Written Word & Wine: Vikram Seth & Sam Miller

In this age when Internet has extensively intruded our public and private space, a literary event last evening held at the Alliance Française, New Delhi, marked a wonderful start to a new forum “Written Word, Etc.”

A packed auditorium comprising young students as well as elderly folks, were in for a memorable treat. They listened with rapt attention the celebrated Indian author Vikram Seth in conversation with Sam Miller, journalist and author of “Delhi: Adventures in a Megacity.

A bottle of wine and whisky, a nightgown, books on the tables and two chairs provided an unusual setting for a Delhi stage. Vikram Seth commented that it would be too impolite if he refused the French hospitality and the wine! And recalled how he was lambasted by a Hindi newspaper for similar indulgence on stage in a smaller city in India. Good wine and good books go together, he said with a smile.

Sam Miller helped in making the proceedings totally informal. As the evening progressed, and with the fine wine lubricating the wheels of thoughts and memories, Vikram Seth shared his journey through life in a no-holds-barred fashion.

Writing to him, he said, was not a challenge but an inspiration. He talked in detail about his childhood and how his grandmother (“nani”) and parents influenced his thoughts. Also, about his celebrated book A Suitable Boy,a novel released in 1993. At 1349 pages and 591,552 words, the book is one of the longest novels ever published in a single volume in the English language. A sequel, to be called A Suitable Girl is due for publication soon.

Among the audience was his mother Leila Seth, first woman chief justice of a State high court, and an author herself. Vikram often looked towards his 85-year-old mother, sitting among the audience, for confirmation of his childhood memories.

According to a publishing house that has collaborated with Alliance Francaise: ” ‘Writers, Etc’ is our literary platform: a space where the written word gets primacy, where written ideas and their practitioners can interact with each other and the general public, coming together to ask pertinent questions. And seek their answers: what role does literature play in contemporary societies? How do writers see their responsibilities vis-à-vis the public and, turning that over, how do we see writers?

“How has the written word adapted to its place among the growing pantheon of varied and addictive forms of cultural transmission? The aim is to encourage a discovery, unencumbered by genre, of all the written oeuvres, ranging from living legends to new and emerging talent.” More here…

One wishes such forums could be formed all over the world in big and small cities to keep the written word alive!!! Thank you Vikram Seth, Sam Miller and Alliance Francaise for setting a good example at New Delhi.

Photo above courtesy The Hindu: “Vikram Seth with his mother, Leila Seth.”