Passion for story telling

"WHEN GANESHA was a small child, he often amused himself by playing on the slopes of Mount Kailasa. Once having nothing to do, he said to his mother Parvati, " I have nothing to do{hellip}". (The Broken Tusk: Tales Of The Hindu God Ganesha).

Of the many talented writers in English in the Indian diaspora in the U.S., Uma Krishnaswami has carved a special place for herself in the field of children's writing. Written in a simple style, her books have won much acclaim. Uma writes about India's rich legends, mythology and life.

A post-graduate in Social Work from the Delhi University, Uma has worked in the U.S. for many years with young adults with disabilities.

She also conducts a writing workshop for children at Aztec Ruins National Movement, an ancestral Pueblo site in New Mexico, where she lives. Excerpts from an interview.

How did you develop a easy and simple style which is appealing to both children and adults?

I don't keep an audience in mind. I just tell the story{hellip}

Your books range from "The Broken Tusk: Tales of Ganesha" to "The Story of Floods". "Yoga Class" and "Shower of Gold" is again about women from Indian history. Why are you attracted to Indian themes?

My stories are drawn from many cultures. As for Indian themes, India is part of me. The sounds, textures and feelings, the stories and the myths. What else can I write about?

But many writers of Indian origin living abroad — Vikram Seth for one — write on the Western scenario as well.

When you are in a majority culture you don't have to be aware of your identity or be conscious about it. For instance, my 15-year- old son Nikhil doesn't eat meat, recites shlokas etc. I want him to be proud of his roots. Also one feels the need to understand the world and one's place in it. Perhaps my books are an effort in this direction.

Are your books aimed at Indian children living in America?

When I started writing 12 years ago, the number of Indians living in America was insignificant and multiculturalism was just beginning.

I might have written to fill the gap. And yes, I do get a lot of appreciative mail from Indian readers. In fact, at one of my lectures, an Indian lady came up to me and said, "I wish such books were available when I was growing up{hellip}"

Have your books been well received by mainstream American readers?

They are still in print, so I suppose they are selling! My books have got good reviews as well.

"The Broken Tusk" won the `Scientific American Young Readers Book Award' from among 2000 books. The award was an honour and made me realise I'd written a scientific book!

Does `The Shower of Gold' talk about the strength of Indian women?

The stories reflect the female sensibility, not so much as what is traditionally thought of as a woman's strength.

Would you say that the success of your children's books is a pointer to increased acceptance by U.S. readers of "others" cultures? For instance, I am told yoga has become very popular in America. Or is India merely the flavour of the season?

Twenty years ago, one wouldn't have heard of mehndi - today it's pretty popular in the U.S. I think Indians are in large numbers and more accepted. Also, many `international' flavours have arrived indicated by the popularity of Feng Shui, Buddhism and in a sense Hinduism. For instance, "The Broken Tusk" was taken up by Vermont Public Radio to be broadcast on the Children's Show.

The growing interest notwithstanding, how do you prepare the average non-Indian child to empathise with your quintessentially Indian/ Hindu characters?

With long, explanatory chapters. Say, on the Hindu concept of the three worlds, why our gods have many arms, and so on.

What other children's books are on the anvil? And why not publish them in India as well?

The `Golden Tusk' was published by Rupa and I plan to get in touch with Tulika too. I've just finished writing a book `Hello Flower'. I am doing two picture books: `Chachaji's Car', the story of Partition as told to an eight-year old boy in conversation with his uncle, and `Monsoon' featuring a little girl waiting for the rains.

You've been in America for 22 years. What images of India do you carry with you?

There are memories, sensory images. I come back to a changing India, but every time several images flood my being. Like the smell of jasmine for one...

PUSHPA CHARI

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