3 The Sunday Post October 9, 2011 people I am greatly optimistic about this book By Priyadarshini Chatterjee while writing something as radical, considering such pressures? Have you She is incongruously cheerful and had to compromise at any point con- merry a person, to write a book she sidering such pressures? herself tags as ‘grim’, author DIPIKA In relation to the recent Bersih protest MUKHERJEE, gives out a clear in Malaysia in July 2011, the 76-year old impression of a person well-versed National Laureate of Malaysia, A Samad with the nuances of life and her Said, was investigated for sedition for book Thunder Demons further con- reading out a poem and being part of vinces one of the author’s ability to what the government termed an illegal deal with the complex intricacies of assembly. Although Malaysian writers, human relationships and human artists and political activists immediately purpose juxtaposed with the convo- banded together to condemn the police lution of a society faced by the harassment, this incident clearly illus- demons (racism, religious militancy, trated the applicability of draconian sedi- etc) that threaten to shake and top- tion laws to peaceful protests. It is easier ple its very foundations. The book is for someone like me, living outside, to about Agni, a young girl who write about the country than for some- returns to Malaysia to reclaim the one from the inside. The Internal Security country as her home at a time when Act is still in force in Malaysia and can the country is being ravaged by its detain dissenters indefinitely without a own Frankenstein. In Kolkata trial. And although there is talk about recently for the launch of her book, repealing this law as well as the one that Dipika bares the ugly visage of the muffles the media by requiring publica- Thunder Demons, her passion for tions to renew their printing licenses words, what it means to be an itin- annually, there is some skepticism about erant and more. how real the changes will actually be. What prompted you to write Thunder However, I have to say that I also took out Demons? a statement about Saraswati in the book I have lived in Malaysia for many years due to my publisher’s fears of retaliation now and have a Malaysian spouse and from Hindu fanatics who seem to take child. Malaysia is portrayed as a “Truly umbrage at any perceived insults to the Asia” experience which it essentially is, religion. It was not a key statement, but it but the rise of religious fundamentalism made me intensely aware of the fact that and the racism inherent in Malaysian no country really practices complete free- government policies is making Malaysia dom of speech — in democracies, political a country with seething civil rights correctness and self-censorship are also issues which need to be addressed. forces that silence. Although I consider Malaysia home, I Poems, short stories, novel, and each found it difficult to work and rear a fam- distinct genres of writing. What sort of ily there because of the socio-political transitions do you undergo while climate. However, I am greatly optimistic moving from one genre to the other? about Malaysians and this book adds to I am passionate about words — my aca- a growing number of voices that protest- demic work deals with linguistics, the ing the inherent flaws in the political study of language(s), and my creative system which fails to treat all Malaysians Thunder Demons is a reference to the was language change in a Malaysian ries that stopped at the Japanese writing is essential to my wellbeing. I am as equal, and instead is segregating the Thunder Demon’s tooth that Jay Ghosh community; earlier this year, in April Occupation or in the 80’s –I wanted to a person who needs change to be creative population into the bumiputra (sons of (one of the characters in the book) wears 2011, I co-edited the book, Language write about the issues that are relevant I think, and moving from poetry to prose the soil, mostly the Malay race with around his neck as a talisman — this Shifts among Malaysian Minorities as to Malaysians today, and although it is to academic writing gives me a necessary some exceptions) and the non-bumiputra combination of fable and folklore in the Effects of National Language Planning: an edgier topic, I wasn’t aspiring to write variety –otherwise I get bogged down and (the Chinese and Indian Malaysians, face of unacknowledged reality is one of Speaking in Many Tongues which was a ‘safe’ book anyway. slip into a mental-block of sorts. But, the who have made Malaysia their homes the themes, the book underscores. published by the Amsterdam University You have led the life of an itinerant. bottom line is that I am passionate about for many generations). This essential Thunder Demons also refers to the essen- Press. My academic work for almost the Perhaps, building a home everywhere writing, irrespective of the form or genre. I division of all Malaysians based on eth- tial troublemakers who incite violence past two decades has touched on you go. How does this sense of displace- can stay up nights; go without food, etc in nic origin has created a schism in and thrive on chaos — the story begins Malaysia, and I am sentient of the varie- ment and change fit into the evolution order to finish what I am writing. It makes Malaysian society and although ques- with murder of a model in the fields of gated fabric of Malaysian history and of your writing sensibility, if at all? me jump out of bed every morning, even tioning the special advantages of the Shah Alam and terror shadows the char- socio-politics, both as an academic as I get asked this question in practically on the bad days when the editing isn’t interview Malays can be deemed as sedition, civil acters peopling this book. well as a resident. During the initial every interview!! The fact that I have going so well. Writers have to be, I think, movements have been gaining ground to Tell us something about the main stages of writing this book I was living in three official homes (India, Malaysia and intrinsically selfish, about acquiring the address the racism inherent in this characters in the book. You have said Singapore and I researched about life the USA) and that I can write about many time and space to write. Nothing else in apartheid system of government. This is that your stories often draw from the and times of Malays, including the way places as an insider, I think, saves me my life demands such unmitigated slav- not a question of ethnicity or of religion, well of reality. Were you inspired by of life during the Japanese occupation. I from the flag-waving jingoism that is the ishness or gets it. but one of basic human rights; that all any real-life characters in shaping was also constantly reading newspapers root of many global problems. I had a Your book was long listed The Man citizens should be treated as equals, those who people your book? and blog posts pertaining to Malaysia. I pretty traumatic childhood with my Asian... regardless of racial origin. I’m going to get into trouble for this have worked in the Malaysian media for father in the diplomatic service and con- The Man Asian Literary Prize has now What has shaped your view of one! I think all writers shape their char- some time and continue to have friends sequently being moved every three years, changed the rules, but in 2009, only Malaysia as portrayed in your book? acters drawing the rudiments from peo- who send me articles written there. but now that experience has given me an unpublished manuscripts could be sub- I think this book is about my love for ple they know, stories they hear, or scan- Because of the censorship and sedition easy adaptability. Thunder Demons is set mitted for the contest. I submitted mine Malaysia — I portray the protagonist as dals whispered by garrulous tongues. If laws in Malaysia, some works are easier in Malaysia; my second novel Finding Piya and suddenly I was in a list with Su returning to Malaysia and wanting to my characters weren’t formed from to access when outside the country than is set in India with an NRI princess from Tong! I am such a fan of Su Tong that claim the country as her own. Very aspects of real people, they would have from within. However, although I Ohio as the protagonist. Maybe my third simply being in the same list as him felt often, especially in fiction published in been mere cardboard figures, with no acknowledge my debt to other novel will be about China –I would love like winning. America, (The Kite Runner and Jasmine relevance to anyone human. This book is researchers, writers and social commen- to write about China! Who have been your favourite authors are names that come to mind at once) strewn with stories I have heard over tators at the end of the book, I must Could you share some of your travel- and which writers have influenced migration to the West is seen as a time in Malaysia – from ancient anec- stress that Thunder Demons is a work of ling anecdotes that have specifically your writing? panacea for the ills of an Asian society. I dotes from the Malay Annals to the per- fiction, and should be read in that spirit.