For Satyarth Nayak, writing in different genres is never a problem. While most authors would prefer to stick to a niche, he enjoys experimenting with genres. This has served him well with his books so far — Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess, The Emperor's Riddles, Venom and now Mahagatha:100 Tales from the Puranas — all of which have been critically acclaimed and widely popular. Discussing his creative process, mythology and journey as a writer, Nayak was in conversation with Isha Gupta Vaish, Ehsaas Woman of Mussoorie, at the recent session of An Author’s Afternoon, organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation at Taj Bengal, in association with Shree Cement Limited, with My Kolkata as digital partner.
‘Sridevi was the only actor who remained at the top of the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu film industries simultaneously’
Nayak wrote his book on Sridevi after she had passed away TT archives
Speaking of his bestselling book, Sridevi, Nayak noted how after the passing of Sridevi he had found it difficult to carry on with his work. “We were waiting for Dhadak to release after which I would’ve started writing, but Sridevi passed away before that. I wrote the book entirely after she passed away. It was a huge shock for me. I remember thinking how I could even write the book in her absence. But then a friend told me that I owed the book to her because I had spoken to her about it and had told her how much I loved her. He said, ‘Do the book and the only difference is that now your book will have a last chapter’. That made me pick myself up again. Boney [Kapoor] sir was a huge support and so was the publisher,” remarked Nayak.
Speaking of her incredible journey as an actor, Nayak highlighted how Sridevi was the only actor who remained at the top of the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu film industries simultaneously. This was a feat that has not been emulated by any other actor till date. Even when she acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Khuda Gawah, she demanded that she have a role as substantial as that of Bachchan.
“There was one phase in the ’80s when she had become even more powerful than Mr Bachchan. When Khuda Gawah was being planned, they wanted her and she accepted the movie only after demanding that she be given a double role. She's the only actor who has a double role opposite Amitabh in any film. If you see the climax of Khuda Gawah, you’ll realise that she is also the only actor who stands tall in the final climax after killing the villain. It's always an Amitabh show at the end of every movie, only Sridevi had the star power to challenge him,” said Nayak.
Not settling for a genre
Nayak in conversation with Isha Gupta Vaish Amit Datta/My Kolkata
Speaking of his creative process, Nayak remarked that he is a “graveyard shift writer”, who is often found working into the wee hours of the night.“I think it’s ultimately about the idea that has captured you. An idea comes like a halo at the back of your mind. It's a small bulb that lights up and then you keep feeding it. As a writer, you can have ideas that are swirling in your mind, but you have to pick and choose one at a time,” he explained.
Despite his success, Nayak had been advised to stick to one genre by publishers and well wishers alike, in order to counter the vagaries of the market. But, for Nayak, each book gets a life of its own once it has been published and very few have control over it. Elaborating on why he finds it difficult to stick to a particular genre, he said: “I know if I write a book in the same genre repeatedly, I'll end up repeating myself creatively. So, it's not about the market because you can't really predict whether the book will do well. Every book has its own destiny. As a writer, the only thing you can do is write with honesty and integrity and become the best vehicle for your story. I remember when my first book, Emperor's Riddles, was about to be released, I went online to some tarot site out of sheer insecurity about what might happen. Ironically, the tarot site said: ‘Your book now has a life of its own. Give it up and let it be. Since then that has been the mantra for all of my books.’”
The relevance of mythology in today’s world
Nayak signing copies of his book, ‘Mahagatha’ Amit Datta/My Kolkata
Speaking of his latest book, Mahagatha, Nayak noted how the Puranas are especially relevant for modern times because the Puranas do not seek to preach but to tell. In several stories, the Puranas present a moral ambivalence that is typical of modern times.
“The Puranas are completely grey. Rama kills a Shudra in the Ramayana because a Shudra can’t chant the Vedas and in Treta Yuga a Shudra wasn’t supposed to chant the Vedas. It was believed that this was causing unrest among the praja and causing deaths. On the one hand, Rama has his duty towards the people, but, on the other hand, this can also be about caste oppression. At the end of every story, you’re confused because the Puranas know that there’s no absolute right or wrong,” noted the author.
Speaking of how queerness is featured in the Puranas, Nayak related the story of Budha and Ila. “Budha was born out of wedlock because Budha’s mother, Tar,a had eloped with Chandra. Tara’s husband, Brihaspati, had cursed Budha, saying he’d be born neutered. So, when Budha was born, he was neither male nor female. Then, Budha met someone called Ila, who used to be a king called Sudyumna. Sudyumna had entered a forest by mistake, where Shiva and Parvati used to meet and it was their love spot. Shiva had created an enchantment around the forest such that if any other male entered it, they’d immediately become a female. The moment Sudyumna entered the forest he became a woman. Sudyumna begged for Shiva’s forgiveness and Shiva modified the curse and said that Sudyumna would turn into a woman every alternate month. So, on the one hand, you have Budha who has no gender and, on the other hand, you have Ila who has both genders. Mind you, this is being written thousands of years back,” narrated Nayak.
Nayak kept the audience enthralled with more such tales from the Puranas and the session came to a close with an engaging Q&A session. Anindita Chatterjee, executive trustee of the Foundation, delivered the vote of thanks and Vinita Morji felicitated the author.
Anirban Bhattacharyya Amit Datta/My Kolkata
“I think mythology needs to be told in an accessible manner for this generation and Satyarth is doing that very well. Mythology has that foggy image and that needs to be reinvented. Satyarth is doing justice to it.”
Anirban Bhattacharyya, actor, producer and author
Meeta Sethia Amit Datta/My Kolkata
“It’s been an incredible evening. I liked Nayak’s approach, as it gives a fresh take to the stories of the Puranas and keeps the facts in place. I think these stories are relevant for understanding people’s psychology as well.”
Meeta Sethia, psychologist
Isha Gupta Vaish Amit Datta/My Kolkata
“Firstly, it was a wonderful experience coming to Kolkata for the first time. I’m enjoying the weather over here, since I come from the north and it’s extremely cold over there. I’m also loving Kolkata’s cuisine. The city has a lovely old-world charm. Interviewing Satyarth was a great experience. The book is wonderful and I’d like to read his other books as well. My association with Prabha Khaitan Foundation has been incredible so far. I have joined recently and I appreciate how the Ehsaas Women of Kolkata have organised this event.”
Isha Gupta Vaish, Ehsaas Woman of Mussoorie
K Mohanchandran Prabha Khaitan Foundation