In a candid interview one of India's most passionate and fiery social activists, Mahasweta Devi, shares glimpses of her amazing life and works with our Content Writer, Satarupa Ray

How did you spend your childhood years?
It was a wonderful life! My parents gave me a lot of freedom and I simply enjoyed every bit of it. Few of my years were spent in 'Dacca' in East Bengal (modern day Bangladesh) and later we moved to West Bengal. I visited Santiniketan in 1938-39 where I met Tagore. I remember him taking one of our Bengali classes when I was in class VII. It was indeed a unique experience.

What did you read in those days?
I read whatever I could lay my hands on. My father was a well-known poet and novelist and my mother was writer in her own right. They encouraged me to read books. Besides, my father had a collection of books written by Nobel laureates. These books enamoured me.

It appears that pursuing writing was a spontaneous decision for you…
Absolutely. I was into an academic pursuit of life. After completing my M.A. in English literature from Calcutta University, I taught in educational institutions. Also, when I started writing, I chose a very different theme. It was on Rani of Jhansi, the woman ruler who sacrificed her life for her country.

Some of your works have been adapted into films. Are you satisfied with these versions of your works?
The portrayal in Hazaar Chaurasi ki Ma was satisfactory. However, Rudali was disappointing. The more you pay these professional mourners, the more they will mourn for you. There is no element of love in this kind of give and take relationship whereas the movie depicted love blossoming in such a relationship.

What do you think is the role of a writer in society?
They should write as truly as possible.

As a social activist, you have worked for the political, social and economic welfare of tribal communities in India. What motivated you to work with the tribes?
It’s been a long association and a gradual one. I travelled to these tribal villages and interacted with the tribes. I had to befriend them and treat them with love and respect. I accepted them first and then they accepted me.

What is the attitude of the tribes to mainstream society as such?
They do not trust them any more.

Why?
People from mainstream society came and invaded their lands. They are deprived of basic facilities like livable huts, food, health and medicine, education, drinking water, irrigation water, electricity and employment. They need security, the possibility of which is always destroyed by these people from mainstream society.

How are the women treated in tribal communities?
The tribes are very civilized people. Men and women are treated as equals in their society. Widow remarriage is common. Girls and boys interact with each other freely. The woman presides over all the major ceremonies. In our society, these are considered to be modern but these are actually the traditional values of tribal communities. You won’t find such progressive values in today’s mainstream societies also.

Your social activism permeates into your writings as well. Do you think your work verges on the propagandist mode?
No, I don’t think so.

How can we, especially the youth, be made more aware of the plight of these
tribal communities?
Courses on the tribal community should be introduced in schools and colleges. Besides, tribes are not subjects of anthropological research only. They are human beings…approach them not with curiosity but with deep respect.

How would you describe the times that we live in today?
Barbaric, violent, greedy and selfish.

You sound pessimistic…
No. I have hope in the poorest of the poor. I cannot be optimistic when it comes to the urban rich, though some of them are helping to improve their condition.

What do you think of the plethora of Indian writing in English?
Very good. I met Upamanyu Chatterjee, Shashi Tharoor, Mukul Kesavan and others on a literary occasion in France. I also find the works of Indo-Canadian writer Anita Rau Badami very impressive.

Is reading becoming a dying habit?
No. People still read today. There are a huge section of illiterate people to whom we have to read out. So the habit of reading cannot die.

You were recently awarded 'Officier DesArts et Des Lettrea' for your contribution to arts and literature by the French Government. It is the second highest civilian award of France after the Legion 'd Honor. What does this award mean to you?
I am indeed honoured. But awards do not really excite me.

Do you have a French connection?
Yes. Hajar Churashir Ma has been translated into French. Two more collections of poems will be published in that language.

Are you writing anything now?
I am working on The Complete Works of Mahasweta Devi along with Dey’s Publishing. 11 volumes are ready and more will follow.

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