Indian-born American author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni released ‘Independence: A Novel’, her latest book set during India’s freedom struggle, in November 2022. Amid the buzz after the release, she is also set to return to India after almost three years of the Covid-19 pandemic. The last time she was here was in 2019 for the Jaipur Literature Festival 2023. It was just after the release of her book, ‘The Forest of Enchantments’, based on Ramayana through the eyes of Goddess Sita. A lot has changed since then around the world but her zest for India and its many stories remains the same.  

While the poet and author did attend the very same festival online in the last two years, it clearly cannot be substituted with the feeling of attending it in person, and one, that poet and author, says she is looking forward to. As Divakaruni makes her way to India for yet another edition of the festival being held between January 19 and January 23 in the Pink City, Mid-day Online spoke to the author about her latest book, the female perspective - a recurring theme in her books over the years, evolution of her writing and how she manages to mix poetry with prose, after having first started out as a poet almost 30 years ago. 

Banerjee delves into what makes her pursue the female perspective in her books, using her literary genius to showcase South Asian immigrants and at the same time, how her narrative on them has evolved over time. Last but not the least, she delves into why India needs a film like the one being adapted from her book and starring Deepika Padukone, that is currently in the works, in times like today to tell a woman’s story. 

Here are the edited excerpts: