An Interview with Naseeruddin Shah

In response to Anita Zaidi (Reply #: 6)

Dear Anita Zaidi:

I wonder if oral historic and ethnographic traditions are barely developed in Pakistan, let alone taken seriously. Indian scholarship on the issues of nationalism, culture, partition, migration, and diaspora is definitely far superior to ours due to their long and well-developed tradition of social sciences and humanities. A pay-off of a more balanced educational system in India.

We (South Asians) still have time to preserve an important chapter of our history such that we develop a better sense of the meaning of mutual cooperation and peaceful coexistence.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahamd

Dear Rohan,

You could have talked a bit about the play itself, rather than beating around this bush and that, thereby wasting my precious internet time.

Rehan,

Your play sounds great. I first heard of the book while reading an article in the Times here in England some years ago. Then about two years back I bought a compilation of modern (ie: post 1947) Indian literature in English, edited by Salman Rushdie, in which there was an extract from the novel. I have to say that the prose is extraordinary, it reads to me like the first sustained and successful attempt to articulate the Indian voice, and the psychological schism of the modern Indian experience in the context of English fiction. You are dead right about him being a pre-cursor of Saleem Sinai. Rushdie says in the compilation that he is indebted to Desani for helping him find a voice. Some would say that the authorial and prose style of Rushdie is so greatly influenced by the book that he has`nt shaken it off. Others may simply suggest plagiarism, but I wouldnt be so cruel, we are all inspired by something.

What is truly amazing is that the book is not in print in the UK! I cant believe that Rushdie and other prominent authors can`t use their influence to bring out a new edition so that Desani can get due recognition. (Perhaps he is scared that it will diminish him by making people realise that his style is not that unique).

Rehan good luck with everything, I only regret you couldnt bring the play to London so I could view it.

regards

Harpreet

Rehan,

Your play sounds great. I first heard of the book while reading an article in the Times here in England some years ago. Then about two years back I bought a compilation of modern (ie: post 1947) Indian literature in English, edited by Salman Rushdie, in which there was an extract from the novel. I have to say that the prose is extraordinary, it reads to me like the first sustained and successful attempt to articulate the Indian voice, and the psychological schism of the modern Indian experience in the context of English fiction. You are dead right about him being a pre-cursor of Saleem Sinai. Rushdie says in the compilation that he is indebted to Desani for helping him find a voice. Some would say that the authorial and prose style of Rushdie is so greatly influenced by the book that he has`nt shaken it off. Others may simply suggest plagiarism, but I wouldnt be so cruel, we are all inspired by something.

What is truly amazing is that the book is not in print in the UK! I cant believe that Rushdie and other prominent authors can`t use their influence to bring out a new edition so that Desani can get due recognition. (Perhaps he is scared that it will diminish him by making people realise that his style is not that unique).

Rehan good luck with everything, I only regret you couldnt bring the play to London so I could view it.

regards

Harpreet

Rehan,

Your play sounds great. I first heard of the book while reading an article in the Times here in England some years ago. Then about two years back I bought a compilation of modern (ie: post 1947) Indian literature in English, edited by Salman Rushdie, in which there was an extract from the novel. I have to say that the prose is extraordinary, it reads to me like the first sustained and successful attempt to articulate the Indian voice, and the psychological schism of the modern Indian experience in the context of English fiction. You are dead right about him being a pre-cursor of Saleem Sinai. Rushdie says in the compilation that he is indebted to Desani for helping him find a voice. Some would say that the authorial and prose style of Rushdie is so greatly influenced by the book that he has`nt shaken it off. Others may simply suggest plagiarism, but I wouldnt be so cruel, we are all inspired by something.

What is truly amazing is that the book is not in print in the UK! I cant believe that Rushdie and other prominent authors can`t use their influence to bring out a new edition so that Desani can get due recognition. (Perhaps he is scared that it will diminish him by making people realise that his style is not that unique).

Rehan good luck with everything, I only regret you couldnt bring the play to London so I could view it.

regards

Harpreet

Rehan,

I hope you do manage to bring the production to London. I dont know if you are aware of how healthy South Asian theatre in Britain is,with companies like Tamasha theatre company and Tara Arts, but I think you will find a very receptive audience for the play both amongst the Indian/Pak community as well as the Goray here. I look forward to it.

Getting off the point a little here, when you mentioned the character of Kip from the English Patient, were`nt you pissed off with the film of the book? To me it is Kirpal that resonates most strongly to the themes in Ondaatje`s novel and his relationship with the Quebecois nurse, his confusion, anger at what he sees in the war, the impending horror of partition and his beloved Lahore unknown to him, the themes of colonialism,cultural identity etc etc. And what do we get in the film? A typical ``Jolly good show old bean, awfully sorry what what`` love story in the desert. I think the film completely neutered the character of Kip and hence Ondaatje. I think it proves that the makers of the film, and the British are not ready to face up to the implications of Kip and what he means.

I never noticed that aspect of Kim as precursor to Kip before, thanks for pointing that out, the outsider moving through the other, the more I think about it the more it rings true......very interesting.

Tell me Rehan, is Lahore a beautiful city? I recently went to a show at the V+A Museum in Kensington where they had an exhibition of Sikh arts to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa. They had many things from the court of Ranjit Singh, telling the story of Lahore, his golden throne, the artist`s depiction of the city.

I think it sounds like a very special place.

My Grandfather always says that Lahore is the cultural and emotional capital of Punjab. I think one day I would like to visit.

Anyway Rehan, good luck in Canada.

regards

Harpreet

Re: rehanhasanansaru, #51

``there should only be one track, and that is the track of peace``.

I agree with it whole hearterdly (although I noticed that, while you clearly blame Pakistan, you have a hands-off attitude towards India).

It takes two to tango.

Reading the Indian newspapers` headlines in samachar.com vs. Dawn or The Friday Times, it appears that, in contrast to Pakistan, India has no interest in maintaining peace with Pakistan. The ball clearly is in India`s court as far as opening a dialogue on peace with Pakistan is concerned. It seems that Indian politicians justify their existence by declaring war on Pakistan. To them, Pakistan is the root of all evil. The Indians are desparate to have the world community, especially the US, declare Pakistan a terrorist state.

And you want to talk peace!

Rehan,

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier, I have been away for a while.

Yes Rehan, people like you need to make films of the English Patient, and with your theatrical skills, there`s no reason why you should not.

I agree with you on your other comments. You try and foster trust on your side and I`ll do the same here. Maybe we can dispel the mistrust of people like Kaffir, and others, on both sides. (Although I can understand why they feel this way.)

Rehan, have you ever thought of producing/filming Manto`s ``Toba Tek Singh``? I think that is a work dying for a decent adaptation.

Naseerudin Shah as the lead.

Hit me with some more of your literary descendants...

regards,

Harpreet

Apologies to Kaffir:

sorry, Kaffir, I incorrectly attributed Godot`s contribution to you. Apologise for the mistake, it`s just that you have such a memorable name!

regards,

Harpreet

Re: Harpreet, #54

``Maybe we can dispel the mistrust of people like [Godot]``

When India sees Pakistan as the root of all evil, how do you ``dispel the mistrust of people like Godot``?

Now, I say this with all honesty and without any ill thoughts towards the Indians. Please don`t take this negatively.

I`d love to see Pakistan and India live in harmony with each other, perhaps as much in harmony as Britain and France do. I`m for India and Pakistan to sign a one-hundred-year no war pact, with their armed forces withdrawn from each others` borders.

I very firmly believe that the ball is in India`s court. Do you agree?

Godot,

I dont think that either party is innocent in the demonising of the other. I think it is futile for either side to accuse the other of exclusive hatred/mistrust, because quite frankly I know that anti-Indian, or anti-Hindu feelings are present in many (but not all, and not uniformly virulent) sectors of Pakistani society. These things are bi-lateral and self-perpetuating.

I can feel that in the tenor of the comments of many Pakistanis. I could make the case,in reverse, from your last posting (substituting ``Pakistani`` for ``Indian``). But what would be the point?

All that happens is we end up throwing accusations at each other.

I understand your misgivings Godot, because I can see your point well. I`ll try my best when I can to allay them in whatever small way I can.

I am not a representative of the Indian state, just as you are not of the Pakistani. And I dont want to exist in a state of heightened suspicion and paranoia.

regards

Harpreet

Godot,

If it was up to me India and Pakistan would sign a thousand year non-aggression pact.

Any militarism in India should be countered and I agree that India as the ``elder bigger brother`` should show maturity and foresight in its handling of the issue.

The ball is also in Pakistans court. Both sides have become so pumped up that any move to peace can be seen as losing face. The mutual antagonism contributes to this paradigm.

Would you not agree though Godot that there is also a Military complex in Pakistan that also seeks to perpetuate ill-feeling and tensions for its own benefit and institutional survival?

I wish that I was the Prime Minister of India and you of Pakistan, so we could sign treaties and make peace.

regards

Harpreet

Re: Harpreet

The reason I say the ball is India`s court is that India has ignored Pakistan`s signals (de-escalation of its military at the Sialkot border, for example) and has rejected all of Pakistan`s reconciliatory gestures. Why? Because Pakistan`s ruler is the military? So what? Making peace is making peace. If the other guy is willing, then extend your hand as well. Let`s get it started.

Now, I know there are elements in both countries that want bloodshed. They understand neither the concept of peace and prosperity, nor the plight of innocent and hapless people of the subcontinent. In my view, unfortunately, it is India`s politicians, the ruling party, if you will, that is part of that unenlightened element. I think General Musharraf is genuinely seeking peace with India, but it is India that is rejecting it. How can one be optimistic about peace when India`s Defense Secretary, George Fernandes, uses his words like a fool uses his money?

Yes, Harpreet, if you and I ran India and Pakistan, things would be different. It`s both sad and ironic that the region that produces brilliant minds is also the poorest region in the world. It really is a shame.

Re: Rehan, #57

``yaar I thought Muslims will be reckoned with for their own aamaal and not anyone else`s...``

Very true. However, I don`t see your point in relation to what I said. I don`t get this tangent. Yes, I agree, everyone is responsible for his own aamaal. Why do you single out the Muslims, though? As John Lennon said, ``your karma is gonna get you``; that is, regardless of your religion and not for anybody else.

Replies to Even this one are going ``Indo-Pak conflict``

Come on, the guy wrote a nice play ( my cousin saw it and enjoyed it) lets talk about the actors, the act, the lighting, or even how FAT RehanHasanAnsari is

Take the conflict to where it belongs..LOC..

( nah, just kidding)

peace

#: 59

Harpreet

Godot,

If it [was] //were// up to me India and Pakistan would sign a thousand year non-aggression pact.

This is regarding the current Chowk Home/Front page:

There are five contributions on the front page by Mr. Moeez on cricket. Four of them are literally yesterday`s news.

Among the remaining discussions sites there are some essays/topics which, it appears, will soon be dropped e.g., Pervez Hoodbhoy`s essay on ``Pakistan in 3000``.

I have noticed that Mr. Moeez`s writings have a total of perhaps eight `replies` among them, by four people.

It is my considered judgement that your Chowkwalas, judging from the breadth and intensity of discussion, would appreciate it much -- in fact, feel gratified, and in gratitude to you -- if you deviate from your ``custom``, ``tradition``, ``protocol``, or, ``usual practice``, and remove some of the cricket Posts and give a longer lease on

life to the more substantive essays including, bahmad`s, Zeemax`s, Hoodbhoy`s and others.

One more point: You are aware that ``He had no Choice`` has now evolved into an `all purpose` site on Pakistan. I have been going through your archives and except for Zia & Nayyar`s latest essay, the one after October 15, 1999, no other site has ever garnered more than 500 replies. As you may be aware, the ``He had no Choice`` is past 1100 and is close to 1200 replies which, according to my `research` has to be your record number of responses for one site; and there is no decline in the posts per week - or daily - as I write these lines. I, therefore, request a special resuscitation for that site by way of a ``direct`` link to it from the first page so that by clicking on it, if located on one of either side`s margin on the Home page, one could access that site rather than the present laborious rout. I hope you consider my request seriously. An earlier post was addressed to you on this matter but perhaps it escaped attention. I hope you would not consider it too presumptuous on my part if I re-submit it to you via this rout.

Most Sincerely Yours,

A Gnostic