Nandita Dutta

What was your favorite book as a child?

As much as I loved all the English books, by all the foreign authors that we could lay our hands on in India, my favorite was books by Satyajit Ray, my top favorite author to this day. He’s also known in the world as the only Indian filmmaker to be awarded an Honorary Oscar. He wrote prolifically for children in Bengali, my mother tongue. I still reread many of his collections of short stories to this day — because those are my foundation in storytelling and still my absolute favorite reading material. They are like comfort food. 

And before that, even before I started reading, my mother used to read aloud to me this book of short stories written by Punyalata Chakraborty, which had illustrations by Satyajit Ray. I was hooked forever. 

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I always felt people were too impatient to listen, but they would find their patience while reading — in order to reach the finish and get the high of understanding a point, or a story. I had a lot to say, and wanted to be understood clearly. 

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

Snorkeling off the Maldives, blissfully chugging along, holding my husband's hand, lazily waving off fish that are coming too close. The sea floor is standing height and I'm close to shore, but suddenly I can see the sea floor dropping off into a bottomless pit, an abyss of water. It was totally safe, but felt really biblical and apocalyptic. I was absolutely shaken by the secrets of nature that I have no idea about. 

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

Very sparingly, only sometimes perhaps for creating a vibe. Else I’m generally dictating or recording voice notes or editing having the piece read back to me. No space for music. Even if just typing or handwriting, I like the silence so I can hear my thoughts scream.