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Just four

Do you enjoy these reading sessions and the interaction it enables with your readers?

More than 20 years ago, when I started writing, there was no such thing as reading. Now, there are readings everyday. But there were readings abroad those days and may be you'd see one Indian face in the audience. Now wherever you do a reading, it's over 50 per cent Indians and I must say I find that rewarding. The whole culture of reading has assumed a new kind of urgency. It's a completely different experience to be a writer now, because there is a difference in the reader now. Twenty years ago, you never had any direct contact with your audience. But now, young people come to you and say, `Your book changed my life, it meant so much to me...' That has been the most rewarding aspect of my writing career. As a writer, I think you live for that kind of knowledge of the impact you have on your reader.

Your last piece of published writing was on the tsunami. What was it like?

It was completely devastating to see the impact of the tsunami on the Andamans, especially on the smaller islands. All public settlements had been wiped out. But you know, just a few weeks ago, I visited Phuket, which had been so badly affected. You can't see any trace of it now...the whole place is absolutely flourishing.

Have you gone back to the Andamans?

I travelled to the Andamans during the tsunami with actor Rahul Bose. He has gone there many times, at least once a month. He's been doing amazing work there. He tells me the relief and the subsequent support work has been good.

There has been some controversy over some Bollywood stars engaged in relief work.

The fact of the matter is, in India, the power of Bollywood stars is so great. When I was travelling with Rahul, whenever he went into a refugee centre, everyone would want to come and talk to him. Actually, there was some consolation for them in it... that the outside world was listening. Because at that point, you know that the devastation can't be repaired, you just want to be heard. I don't think it is right to criticise them for doing something simply because they are stars.

SUBASH JEYAN

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