Aug 26 (IBNS) : Academician and author Biman Nath launched his second novel ‘The Tattooed Fakir’ in Kolkata's Starmark recently. The book launch was followed by an interactive session with the author conducted by two academician of the city, Rimi B. Chatterjee and Dr. Debnita Chakravarti. IBNS correspondent Shreejata Niyogi catches up with the writer at the launch.

Tell us something about the book.
 
The plot of the book is set in the historical background of 18th century India. The novel is about the lesser known section of the society, armed Muslim fakirs wagging guerilla warfare against the British rulers. The story is about a young woman, who is taken by a British indigo plantation owner as her mistress, and how this incidence and oppression of the British rulers turns her husband and later her son  into a ferocious fakir soldier.
 
Why have you chosen such a title for the book, especially when a major portion of the book is about warrior fakirs?
 
Though initially the incidents were centred on the warrior fakirs, later the plot turned towards the tattooed fakir. The protagonist of the book was a tattooed fakir. His father is also another protagonist, so in my book there are twin protagonists. Apart from the fact that one of the protagonists is a tattooed fakir, I think the title ‘The Tattooed Fakir’ is a catchy title.
 
Why have you chosen to write about a historical period rather than writing about some contemporary issue?
 
The period about which I have written was historically very transitional both nationally and internationally. It brings out many dramatic possibilities and gives the chance of interesting settings. I also had few characters in my mind that are interesting historical figures. I have tried bringing out those personalities through my characters.
 
Did you draw your inspiration from famous Bengali play ‘Neel Darpan’ (The Indigo Planting Mirror) as a major plot of the book centres on indigo plantation?
 
My book is not much influenced by ‘Neel Darpan’. ‘Neel Darpan’ is about how the indigo planters were tortured. It is not about details of what happened in the plantation. My book dealt about indigo plantation with much detail.  I wanted to recreate that atmosphere of indigo plantation.
 
Who are your favourite contemporary writers?
 
Among the contemporary writers I am really fond of Amitav Ghosh, Kunal Basu, especially for their historical plots. There are many young Indian authors who are writing pretty well.
 
Do you have any plot on your mind for your next venture?
 
My next venture is not going to be a historical one. ‘The Tattooed Fakir’ and my previous book ‘Nothing is Blue’ were set on historical backgrounds but my third book is going to be a path breaker in a way. My third book will centre on the field of academics.
 
(Interview by Shreejata Niyogi, images by Somnath Roy Chowdhury)