A budding writer in the field of popular fiction and a former DU-ite, Namrata is a Literature major from Hansraj whose books have won many hearts. She speaks about her recent release – White Horses, Dark Shadows to DU Beat.
I thought it’d a good start to pick Namrata’s brain by asking her how she realised that writing was something she had a flair for, in both English and Hindi,
“I was always an introvert who saw literature as an outlet. I frequently submitted poems and pieces in newspapers, and was part of editorial teams. For me, story-telling was a safe place, an alternate world which led me to pursue English Literature for higher education.”
When inquiring about her new release, White Horses Dark Shadows, she told me a bit about what inspired her and her portrayal of love in the film,
“I was inspired by Rockstar songs – they symbolise everything timeless, a fairytale romance. This led me to use verse and poetry to shed light on characters, and their inner thoughts. Media can be extreme in its depiction of love and liberated women. Works like Tagore’s Chokher Bali or Jane Eyre’s writings always struck a chord with me – they portrayed women who didn’t portray women who needed saviours. At the same time, we need to be realistic with depictions of women, being independent doesn’t mean not wanting to be loved. ”
Namrata’s recent book also takes a new look at the complexity and nuances of modern-day love,
“In real life we reconcile. Love is not ideal, even Prince charming should be seen as flawless. The idea of Prince Charming is idealistic – we must see him with all aspects and not turn a blind eye, as a form of escapism. Love is being able to accept reality and make peace with it.”
As I inquired more about the storyline especially regarding the depiction of certain relationships, she added,
“The book showcases a journey of character as she grows. I use her time as a student to show contrast as she grows up, using college as a form of growth – how she changes, particularly to show how naive she is and her limited perspective of the world. It was a conscious decision to pick this period, I did relate to her experience. Author must have some authority even over fiction – to be related to is essential for the reader”
“The depiction of the age gap relationship, it wasn’t strategic. It was just used to show how difficult it is to face reality, no matter what age. Love isn’t the version in our head, it collides with reality, we need to be able to reconcile. This is not a story of young love or immaturity as Milind, the older love interest, also acts immature.”
The book ends with Heer, the protagonist, realising she has always been complete and didn’t need more love. She was fulfilled; she just needed a companion – marriage or partner isn’t a matter of completion. Self love is not external, but internal, was how Namrata described the conclusion of the novel to me.
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