The courage to taste

Can you give us your definition of “culture”?
Culture includes all the arts, dance, music, songs, language etc.
It is the stew in which we are pickled. This, marinated over time, gives each locale its different flavour. Culture is what shapes ones personality and ones interaction with the world.

What part had culture in your formation?
Since I belong to the Zoroastrian Parsi community, which has a very distinctive culture, language, food etc, it provided me with a separate identity from the larger Muslim community of Pakistan. Of course, the dominant Muslim culture also shaped my thoughts and attitudes.
Because we are a tiny minority in the world, we take on the colour of whichever community we find ourselves in. The Hindu and Christian cultures have also influenced the community. So that I, participate in all religious holidays. My novel, “The Crow Eaters”, embodies this in a humorous vein.

What is the biggest cultural discovery you did as an adult?
The biggest cultural discovery was the cultural shock I experienced when I moved to America. I had to learn to talk, behave, function and even think differently.

What is the way to keep culture alive so that it doesn’t get exhausted but keeps renewing its contents and their interpretation? What can the role of a writer be in this process and in particular if the writer is a woman and sort of a bridge between two (or more) cultures?
A writer reflects the locale and culture of her surroundings. I also feel privileged to voice my opinions hoping it will influence the thoughts and minds of the reader and help bring awareness of the shortcomings in a particular society. The lives of the majority of women in Pakistan and India are oppressed by cultural norms, religion, politics and many other spheres and this is reflected in my novel, “The Bride”. I feel my primary responsibility as a writer is to write a strong narrative, with characters that engage the reader emotionally; the reader should be barely aware of the influence the work may have on him or her. In Pakistan, where dancing and singing are frowned upon, I, a writer have much more freedom to express thoughts and address issues she/he feels passionate about. However, there are dedicated groups who are keeping the arts alive. The profusion of satellite television has allowed previously unimaginable freedom to the creative arts. Having been a citizen of India, Pakistan and now America, the cultural boundaries have intermingled for me.

Can you give us an idea of the current cultural situations/politics of India and USA?
In India, although the hold of religious and ancient cultural norms is still very strong, a large middle class of working women is emerging and their earning capacity empowers them and allows them to break certain cultural strangleholds. I have just published my novel, “Water”, which deals with the still very deprived condition of Hindu widows, many of whom are sent to live in extreme poverty in derelict ashrams.
During the previous regime, rigid Hinduism become oppressive for the minorities but under the presently elected Congress regime, headed by Sonia Gandhi, the hold of fundamentalism has lessened. The dowry system is still very prevalent although it is disallowed by law. It still cripples the bride’s family with debts. There is a conscious awareness of bride-burning and vigilante women groups shame the families and hold them accountable to the law.
As for the USA a strange shift is occurring which is relevant to your question. As a result of the outsourcing of I.T. jobs to India, the American culture is influencing the behaviour, dress codes and musical tastes of the younger Indian generation. Also, the hordes of technical and medical professionals from India are influencing Americans, and creating an awareness of Indian culture.

Interview by Lilia Ambrosi