Arundhati Roy Interview: The Characters Visited Me
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- “It is important to be able to write about violence with the same intimacy with which I write about love.” Enjoy this cordial interview with Indian Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy, who discusses writing about modern India and its many internal borders, in connection with her praised 2017-novel ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’.
Roy always knew, that she was never going to be the kind of writer, who turns into a “novel-writing factory.” Instead, she spent twenty years travelling, writing and deepening her understanding of India, “which is a universe of its own, it lives in several centuries simultaneously.” When she wrote ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ (2017), she needed to “smash” the language that she had found in ‘The God of Small Things’ (1997): “I wanted to challenge what a novel can and should do.” A novel, she feels, should have a structure as complicated as a city, which reflects her background as an architect: “The chaos of ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ is planned.” The only real anarchy in India, she continues, is found in the traffic. In continuation of this, because of her outspoken views on e.g. Kashmir, Roy is occasionally exposed to harassment: “Normally, when I’m speaking, I have eyes behind my head.”
“For me, as a writer, the ambition is a simple one: You have to be able to write about everything.” To Roy, writing isn’t about creating beautiful books, but to be able to honestly describe e.g. life on the streets, placing equal importance on vulgarity and exquisiteness. She often writes in her head, making her drafts this way, and allows her diverse characters - which include the marginalized ‘hijras’ - to speak without getting in the way, feeling as if they have moved in with her, expressing their opinion about everything and everyone.
Arundhati Roy (b. 1961) is an Indian writer and political activist. Her works of fiction include ‘The God of Small Things’ (1997) - for which she won the 1997 Man Booker Prize with the words “The book keeps all the promises that it makes.” - and ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ (2017). Roy is also the author of screenplays, most noticeably ‘In Which Annie Gives it to Those Ones’ (1989), which was awarded the National Film Award for Best Screenplay. In 2015 she returned the award in protest against religious intolerance and the growing violence by right-wing groups in India. Roy has also written works of non-fiction such as ‘The Algebra of Infinite Justice’ (2002) and ‘Listening to Grasshoppers: Field Notes on Democracy’ (2010). Among other prestigious awards, she is the recipient of the Lannan Foundation’s Cultural Freedom Award (2002), the Sydney Peace Prize (2004) and the Norman Mailer Prize for Distinguished Writing (2011). In 2003 she was awarded special recognition as a Woman of Peace at the Global Exchange Human Rights Awards in San Francisco. Moreover, Roy was featured in the 2014 list of Time 100, the 100 most influential people in the world. She lives in Delhi, India.
Arundhati Roy was interviewed by Danish writer Merete Pryds Helle in May 2018 at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark.
Camera: Klaus Elmer Edited by: Klaus Elmer Produced by: Christian Lund Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2018
Supported by Nordea-fonden
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I love how she stumbles into her answers and she becomes this crystal-clear waterfall of eloquence! I love this woman!
👌
There is a slight hint of detachment about her.
I love how you love that ❤️🥰
Spontaneity. Truth.
She is a treasure of India,from Kerala. A true Indian a true Internationalist a true Humanist. Sad that Secular India has been taken over Hindutvas by the process of Parliamentary Democracy.
Next time Arundhati Roy gives a talk in England, I'll be there.
Arundhati Roy enlightens India & the world.
Take a good look at the people of your own religion and introspect your own creed before taking potshots at Hindus. The only reason India is still a secular republic is because the majority of Indian citizens are Hindus.
Your name says it all
Ma'am not only your writing is composed but your voice and the way you speak is also very composed and beautiful.
When she described the ministry....how the language was used... mind blown!
So thoughtful while uttering any sort of words... eloquently presented , that means she is a bookworm... I've read the ' God of Small things' truly enigmatic Congress of wisdom swims in the book,I found out...live long Roy !! You are the perfect example of beauty with brain .
Words. Words which sprang from the veracious heart
Heart, filled with compassion for the folks
Folks, who have been deprived of life
for life has been made to believe is only of those
Those, who feared the convention and dared not to speak
Only if the veracious heart was capable to put up with Those
The wonderful world swears to remain wonderful for Those.
I love you arundhati. You woke me to the reality of dams and the system in general when I was teenager. I'm still walking the path of disillusionment , voices like yours guide me through it. Keep shining like a bright sun.
Arundhati Roy ji you are great. I salute you to be a great indian
Just breathtaking.. she is so important in our times.
akmal. ahmed just heartbreaking. She is such an antinational and traitor in disguise.
NIMAI CHARAN PRADHAN I don't believe in a nation state, I believe in a people, with borders, without national labels. I don't understand *anti* national, if someone does not believe in a nation. That's why i really admire arundhati roy
akmal. ahmed If you don't believe in a nation then you are definitely an antinational. You will surely admire her as she is of your kind. Just learn to respect where you are living. It's not your fault. In Islam there is no concept of nation. No offence.
NIMAI CHARAN PRADHAN fyi, I don't consider myself a 'muslim' of any kind. I'm completely against religion and it's institutions. And speaking about Anti national, if being a person who believes in the peoples power and not in an oligarchy, if believing we should be human before we are citizens, is being anti-whatever, then it's an irony because it's us who're actually worried about the course of our future.
akmal. ahmed I appreciate your thoughts but reality can't change. This lady Arundhati is a traitor is an established fact.
She's such an eloquently soft spoken person. It's almost like you are reading her novel, which is her life dripping from her mouth as words. I wish I can meet her once and just sit and listen to her. Listen and garner experiences she has accumulated.
Of course you think she is eloquent because anybody who spews venom against Hinduism is music to your Islamic ears.
I love her analogy of wanting to write a novel like a city. Both are intricately interwoven systems. Her writing in the passage she read is powerful. I can hardly wait to read this book.
This will be another mishap like god of small things!! A messed up brain that she is, I am surprised that even booker prize can be lobbied for, and can be procured by maybe bidding for it..,as the economy of uk is in shambles since their loot money(from India) has dried up...., so we know how a piece of shit could get booker prize!! Some ppl find even bullshit powerful, which is of no use to anyone.
Joseph Stalin?
coreycox2345 .., if a piece of shriveled up crap like arundhati roy can be looked up-to, or liked, Joseph Stalin is much better in comparison. Do you have a problem??
To each his own, Uzi 786. I enjoyed "The God of Small Things" and am looking forward to her new one. Stalin killed many of "my people." I always found it a contradiction that in many of his photos, he looks like a pleasant person, if that is all one had to go on. I am in the moment, though. Have a lovely day.
coreycox2345... exactly, to each his own! And arundhati roy is standing with the separatists who are basically marauders, murderers and looters, who are trying to break my country. You too have a good day!!
Adorable, graceful, her prolonged articulation is appealing. Truthful person like Noam chomsky
Simple and true: and this is what greatness is.
Blissful to watch her talking, brilliantly beautiful, just love this soul🙏
I would like to appreciate her intellectual Opinions, I love the way she
talks and speaks all about Indian people political issues and their
life style .she is really very smart in her deep expressions . she is a
so inspiring and influencing women in our intellectual societies among
well educated people and civil society people by her freedom of
expressions and freedom of thoughts So inspiring a woman commands lot of
respect in the whole world of intellect and the world wisdom.she raises
her voice everywhere against the murder of justice,violation of human
rights and violation of women fundamental rights , women empowerment ,
women freedom .. she has got a beautiful voice very naturally .. and i
would like to appreciate the way she speaks and talks by her unique
stylize .. in a very innocent way . i have deep observation all about
her beautiful unique life style ..she has been influencing by her smart
life style always in our intellectual society by her beautiful
expressions . Wishing you a warm Happy NEW YEAR 2019 . Best Regards
I love god of small things too much to read the ministery.
Proud to be her grand-nephew ❤️
Abel Punnoose really??? lucky you!
I am jealous of you😭
What exactly do you mean by distant nephew? Are you socially distant? Do you live far away? Are you her grand-nephew?
@@listenup2882 Well see her mother Mrs Mary Roy and my paternal grandmother are cousins. So yeah that should make me her grand-nephew.
She's a goddess in her own self. I love her stories. Those who are saying she's a coward, she is a realist who sees the world through her political but enriching qualities and intriguing sense of humour which is painful too. Don't misunderstand her. She's a storm in the skin of a gentle lady.
Teach me half the wisdom
That thy brains know
Such harmonious wisdom
As from lips would flow.
Read this book 5 times.
Great lady with great voice to speak up the right your are very admirable
Arundhati's voice is really impressive
Boys and girls
If still don’t know how to become First Class
Watch and learn
If you take away the gray hair, she looks (and sounds) 20 years younger. Even the hands are quite wrinkle free.
Great observation!
I just love her, so intelligent.
She is fierce!
Afra Anan Saba she is a coward running away from country.
@Nita R If you think I called her 'fierce' just because she criticizes religions, you are wrong brother/sister. As you don't have the IQ to understand that, I won't even try to explain it to you. Get a life.
She believes in quality not in quantity.
Can someone tell me why ppl hate Arundhati Roy so much? I read her 2 books n likes them .....idk About any other issue of her
Its just bhakts can't tolerate criticism
Because someone who speaks truth is always abhorred.
People hate her.Rubbish.People throughout the world love this lady.She maybe hated by Hindutvas,as Salmon Rushdie is hated Jihadists.In terms of Literature both an expression of humanity.Arundhati Roy lives in India,whereas Salmon Rushdie cannot move freely in India & Pakistan or Kashmir. Thank God Arundhati Roy is not a Muslim!!
@@azadrasheed497 Rushdie is a great writer but he was blasphemous and prejudiced.
She is amazing...The only hope of India.
I used to be a fan of her. She is exaggerating issues about Muslims in India. India has second highest population of muslims.
tony thomas You should read Indian Newspapers more... She isn't exaggerating at all!!!
There are ofcourse problems for minorities. In no other country, minorities enjoy such freedom like in India. In western countries like Germany for eg. you can call ´Allahu Akbar´ from a mosque. In which majority country, you can have a President like Kalam from a minority country?
tony thomas You know a UA-cam comment section is not an ideal space to enlighten people, so I won't be replying any further.. All I am saying is that go to Amazon and Buy Roy's non-fiction (there's a bunch of them)... And please read as much as you can. Ciao.
NIMAI CHARAN PRADHAN Lol... Fucking fascists.
I just found her videos by a chance and i'm glad I did 🙈🙋
I like her words 😌🙌👌💜💙
I love u arundhuti mam
Take care about yourself bkz you are my mentor...i love you
When will she get the Nobel Prize even though she's already beyond all that!
Bro that is only a recognition. She has won the hearts that is more precious than noble prize.
👍👍👍
I think you are an avid reader of Arundhathi madam. I see your comments for most of her videos. I am happy to see my admiration to the letters of this woman is beyond my words. She conquered my heart when I read God of small things. Still wandering through the pages like a man who never wish to come outside from there😊
Wow, seems like she has shared many personal stuffs in this interview compared to the previous ones I watched of her...
Anyway, I guess she is the only elder person I don't know why I'm having crush on.. And I'm just 23 :p
Brilliant!!
The way she described kashmir was beautiful definitely going to read this book
I have a great respect and honour for this lady she is mentor she is the voice of humanity
u r true intellectual person in India
She's such a classy, intellegent and beautiful woman
100 Years Political History in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan .
We Know.
And We Know The Present Situations. 🎋❤️🎋
Mam.....your words are flowing like a river......🤘🤘🤘
Love her💓
Love u madam .... From kashmir
Probably only Indian i respect ✊
If you can't any other Indian you can respect then either you don't know many Indians or you yourself are a bigot. Congratulations
Why buddy, many Indian, deserve respect, dont they?
Brilliant.
Put the microphones on the other side of their faces!
Right MADAM.
What if she was the prime minister of India. Will she still hold her views. If she did she would be worth worshiping
she is a goddess
love her 😍😍
❤
I buy the book yesterday night,, we should read the it's book😀
I hate baby kochamma
Ok
Love from 🇵🇰
Madumakhiyo ka Chatta.MADAM.
Almost purchased this book before a flight a while back.
Glad I didn't.
Nothing but antinational propaganda.
Me None.
She was tucker women
Butchers' Luck mean?
When the evil forces get the chance to inflict harm
@@arpitachakraborty5261I was unable to find out it mean? Why ?
@@arpitachakraborty5261 how do u know this is the mean of above word
I searched a lot but could not find out not even in dictionary.
@@salmanali146 i stumbled upon the phrase in the ministry of utmost happiness.I concluded the meaning from the context.its not in any dictionary ,probably because it's arundhuti mam's coining.
@@arpitachakraborty5261 R u other regional medium background or english medium?
she has gone crazy after gaining popularity by her book. some people cannot handle fame
Her eloquence and comfortability with words is more than admirable. It's truly the gift from God, but shouldn't she be using this gift to bind humanity? Communalism is a weapon used by politicians to serve their interest of gaining power. It is indeed disappointing to hear it from a writer that a particular community is marginalised; the fact rather remains that it is people belonging to the underprivileged class who are suffering irrespective of belonging to any religion. Madam, please get out the world of literary fantasy by building on few pieces of reported news. Instead, interaction with the grassroots population will reveal facts so as to bring to light the problems faced by humanity .
She is fine - but she has created some fiction about her process of writing fiction ie. not existant supposedly - what's with "the characters visited me... it appears on the page" claptrap? Some of the finest writers have the humility to deconstruct their process. Not her. For her it's autowriting and other nonsense. Which is great cos that explains the mess of her latest novel.
A Frica You clearly have no idea about her non fiction and her activism... Once you read the dozen books that she has written (non-fiction)... You will clearly understand where she is coming from...She has written about real issues of the human condition and all her characters are rooted in reality.
ANKIT PANDEY I've read enough to know where she stands, and her heart is in the right place. She needs to tone down on the generalisms though and be more of a true intellectual. Her call though.
A Frica Lol..the last thing her non-fiction can ever be is generic.. She is the most specific and particular writer I've ever read... Her haecceity in her details is everything..the ministry is very detailed... Anyways..to each his own.
ANKIT PANDEY Yes fanboy
A Frica. You don't know much about the process of writing do you? How many books have u written to give you the background and experience to criticise Roy?
Arundhati always discuss problem, never discuss solution, like doctors She is surviving on disease not on health
This has been one hell of a book tour - more than a year now? Haven't the publishers recovered their advance yet? It's time she moved on to another book.
She may be a good writer, but can she make a good curry?
What?
she herself seems rangi billi. shame on such anti nationalist gaddars of country. जिस थाली में खाते हैं उसी में छेद करते हैं।
I find her pretentious.