Interview with writer Rajan Mukarung after his novel Damini Bhir won this year’s Madan Puraskar.
Himalkhabar.com: Just how important are awards for writers?
Rajan Mukarung: I never cared much for awards. I am a full-time writer, I have no other side job. I keep on going, just keep on writing. This time I feel that my writing has been recognised and so have the characters from marginalised communities whom I write about. I feel a sense of pride.
How easily does the inspiration for a book like Damini Bhir come to a writer?
For writers, diligence and practice are everything. That means lots of research and experience. If you are focused and don’t get too distracted, the material will come to you. All this time, I have tried to concentrate on speaking on behalf of the excluded and marginalised. After being awarded the Madan Puraskar, I feel I have been successful to some degree.
How difficult is it to be the voice of the voiceless?
It’s really tough. I am from a marginalised group myself. For the last 15 years I have been writing about those excluded by society. Today, I feel that I have done justice to my characters and this award is actually for them.
So, the characters of the book are real?
Yes they are. More than half the characters are real people with real names. This is a book I decided to write after extensive research and personal involvement.
Where do you get the energy to do this?
From the characters. It’s the disenfranchised who give me the energy to write. And that is why I dedicate this award to them.
(Rajan Mukarung, 39, was born in Nagin, Bhojpur. His other works are Hetchhakuppa, Seto Arohan, Prarambha Prachhepan, Jikirko Gaddi, Mithak Madhya, and Kirat Sanskar.)
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