Author Kiran Nagarkar to read, talk about his work
Described as “one of the most significant writers of postcolonial India,” author and playwright Kiran Nagarkar brings insight, humor and storytelling excellence to two events at Arizona State University on Feb. 18.
Nagarkar will host a Q & A at 11 a.m., Feb. 18, in the Piper Writers House, ASU’s Tempe campus. Seats are limited and an RSVP is required: Margaret.coulombe@asu.edu
He will also offer a public reading "You Cannot Choose Your Parents, but You Can Choose Your Ancestors" and discussion at 3:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
Originally from Bombay (Mumbai), Nagarkar’s books include: "Seven Sixes are Forty Three" (1974) and "Ravan and Eddie" (1994), which was translated to an award-winning screenplay by filmmaker Dev Benegal. Nagarkar’s third novel, "Cuckold," was published in 1997, a blend of Indian history with the many forms of love in the life of Maharaj Kumar, prince of Mewar, and husband to Indian saint Mirabai. Spanning governance, mysticism, the arts, warfare and religion, "Cuckold" earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award for best novel. Religion and fanaticism take on different forms in his book "God’s Little Soldier" (2006), in which Nagarkar examines intolerance as told through the transformative journey of Zia, from his privileged childhood to Jihadist, missionary and arms dealer.
One reviewer writes of his work: “a master of his craft, Nagarkar’s words contain rebellious outrage against the existent socio-political scenarios, in the form of living metaphors. Each of his works explores nonconformist individuals in an insensitive society. While doing so, Nagarkar never detaches from the simplicity and innocence of his central characters. His empathic and clear-sighted treatment of human nature and coruscating jet black sense of humor combined with scathing irony is what brings Nagarkar and his works close to the heart of readers.”
For more information: Margaret Coulombe, Margaret.coulombe@asu.edu; 480-727-8934 or go to:
http://www.asu.edu/piper/public_events/calendar/events_cal.html