Himika Ganguly is a marketing and communications professional working as Senior assistant director, for FICCI, media and entertainment division. Writing and travelling are the twin loves of her life and a penchant to try almost everything in the world is what keeps her going. The Great Indian Matrimonial Tamasha is her first book.
When did the idea for the book germinate?
You know the large number of online shaadi portals that have been crowding the Internet and the many real life stories that I have heard about it and experienced were the key factors. Also, the fact that these stories needed to be shared with the world and with a pinch of salt because so many Indian girls and guys have been experiencing this dilemma but without having been able to discuss it openly.
Which genre draws you the most as a reader and a writer?
I love tragedy and individual stories — biographies as a reader. The craftsmanship of words put together beautifully is what captures my interest. Like I recently read a note by King Longton which ended with spectacular lines — The heart is a hungry wolf; and it is made of glass. As a writer, I enjoy writing satire.
One fictional character close to your heart and why?
It has to be the Joker. He is extremely dark, outstandingly intelligent, manipulative, untamable and unapologetic. Such a rare combination.
Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to have coffee with?
There are three of them — Leo Tolstoy, J.K. Rowling and Rabindranath Tagore.
Which is that one classic you haven’t read so far?
It’s such a vast sea I have to explore yet. But the ones that I really want to read immediately would be — The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
