After four long, dreary years in a multinational bank, Tulsi Badrinath quit her job to pursue her twin passions — dancing and writing. She brings both passions together in Master of Arts, her first work of non-fiction. Her poems, articles, reviews and short-stories have appeared in various magazines and publications.
The book, a series of essays on the concept of dharma and its application in modern times.
Her first and second novels, namely Meeting Lives and Man of A Thousand Chances, were longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Her recent book A Unity of Life and Other Essays is a tribute to her father late Sahitya Akademi recipient Chaturvedi Badrinath. The book, a series of essays on the concept of dharma and its application in modern times, is drawn extensively from the Mahabharata.
Which is the best opening line in a book that you have ever read?
“Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano
Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took
him to discover ice” — One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Which genre draws you the most as a reader and a writer?
All sorts of fiction, both literary and good commercial fiction.
Who among the pantheon of writers (past/present) would you like to
have coffee with?
The 12th century poet Jayadeva.
What is your antidote for writer’s block?
Go for a walk.
Which book do you keep revisiting time and again?
Sri Ramakrishna Lila Prasanga.
How can new/budding writers prevent rejection from turning into
dejection?
Start afresh, a new story or a new chapter, and keep writing.
Which is one classic that you haven’t read so far?
The Tin Drum.
