A Story about a Story-teller | Anita Nair | TEDxIIFTDelhi

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] good afternoon

good afternoon

good afternoon gives me great pleasure to be standing

gives me great pleasure to be standing

gives me great pleasure to be standing here in front of you the theme that I

here in front of you the theme that I

here in front of you the theme that I have chosen this afternoon to talk about

have chosen this afternoon to talk about

have chosen this afternoon to talk about there’s a story about a storyteller now

there’s a story about a storyteller now

there’s a story about a storyteller now very often I meet people who look at me

very often I meet people who look at me

very often I meet people who look at me and then they are not sure where they

and then they are not sure where they

and then they are not sure where they have seen me before and they tell me I

have seen me before and they tell me I

have seen me before and they tell me I think I’ve seen you somewhere but you a

think I’ve seen you somewhere but you a

think I’ve seen you somewhere but you a judge on a you know a dance show on

judge on a you know a dance show on

judge on a you know a dance show on television over you part of a quiz show

television over you part of a quiz show

television over you part of a quiz show somewhere else etc and I tell them no

somewhere else etc and I tell them no

somewhere else etc and I tell them no but then they look at me answer and ask

but then they look at me answer and ask

but then they look at me answer and ask me but what do you do it’s at this point

me but what do you do it’s at this point

me but what do you do it’s at this point that I know the the long and short of

that I know the the long and short of

that I know the the long and short of this problem called the Gettier problem

this problem called the Gettier problem

this problem called the Gettier problem now what is that look at that okay now

now what is that look at that okay now

now what is that look at that okay now the Gettier problem is a problem that

the Gettier problem is a problem that

the Gettier problem is a problem that arises in philosophy in mathematics and

arises in philosophy in mathematics and

arises in philosophy in mathematics and in logic so you assume you see something

in logic so you assume you see something

in logic so you assume you see something and you assume it’s the truth it is the

and you assume it’s the truth it is the

and you assume it’s the truth it is the truth but the assumption is for all the

truth but the assumption is for all the

truth but the assumption is for all the wrong reasons so if you look at that

wrong reasons so if you look at that

wrong reasons so if you look at that there’s this chappie walking there he

there’s this chappie walking there he

there’s this chappie walking there he sees a rock and he thinks it’s a sheep

sees a rock and he thinks it’s a sheep

sees a rock and he thinks it’s a sheep he gets close and then he realizes that

he gets close and then he realizes that

he gets close and then he realizes that it is a rock it isn’t a sheep but then a

it is a rock it isn’t a sheep but then a

it is a rock it isn’t a sheep but then a sheep pops up from behind so was he

sheep pops up from behind so was he

sheep pops up from behind so was he right in assuming that rock was a sheep

right in assuming that rock was a sheep

right in assuming that rock was a sheep or was that a sheep in the first place

or was that a sheep in the first place

or was that a sheep in the first place so that is a Gettier problem which is

so that is a Gettier problem which is

so that is a Gettier problem which is what I face all the time and people look

what I face all the time and people look

what I face all the time and people look at me and ask me I think I know you but

at me and ask me I think I know you but

at me and ask me I think I know you but I don’t know you why and they think they

I don’t know you why and they think they

I don’t know you why and they think they know me for all the wrong reasons so at

know me for all the wrong reasons so at

know me for all the wrong reasons so at that point is when I think that maybe I

that point is when I think that maybe I

that point is when I think that maybe I should make up a story and tell them

should make up a story and tell them

should make up a story and tell them something that they would like to hear

something that they would like to hear

something that they would like to hear so tell them maybe I’m a wrestler maybe

so tell them maybe I’m a wrestler maybe

so tell them maybe I’m a wrestler maybe I’m an astronaut maybe I’m a veterinary

I’m an astronaut maybe I’m a veterinary

I’m an astronaut maybe I’m a veterinary doctor whatever but in the last minute I

doctor whatever but in the last minute I

doctor whatever but in the last minute I lose my nerve and

lose my nerve and

lose my nerve and I say I do nothing at that point there

I say I do nothing at that point there

I say I do nothing at that point there is this big thought bubble that is

is this big thought bubble that is

is this big thought bubble that is growing around their head which is no no

growing around their head which is no no

growing around their head which is no no no she’s lying she she can’t be doing

no she’s lying she she can’t be doing

no she’s lying she she can’t be doing nothing what does she really do now you

nothing what does she really do now you

nothing what does she really do now you must wonder why is it that I can’t just

must wonder why is it that I can’t just

must wonder why is it that I can’t just turn around and tell them that I’m a

turn around and tell them that I’m a

turn around and tell them that I’m a writer the reason being that a writer to

writer the reason being that a writer to

writer the reason being that a writer to me seems someone who’s very lofty and

me seems someone who’s very lofty and

me seems someone who’s very lofty and very distanced from what I actually do

very distanced from what I actually do

very distanced from what I actually do which is tell stories I’m a storyteller

which is tell stories I’m a storyteller

which is tell stories I’m a storyteller now I had thought about this title

now I had thought about this title

now I had thought about this title called a storyteller several times and

called a storyteller several times and

called a storyteller several times and asked myself who or what is a

asked myself who or what is a

asked myself who or what is a storyteller a storyteller someone who

storyteller a storyteller someone who

storyteller a storyteller someone who does more than just narrate stories a

does more than just narrate stories a

does more than just narrate stories a storyteller is someone who begins with

storyteller is someone who begins with

storyteller is someone who begins with an idea and into that mixture of

an idea and into that mixture of

an idea and into that mixture of thoughts goes a lot of things there is

thoughts goes a lot of things there is

thoughts goes a lot of things there is history there is geography there is

history there is geography there is

history there is geography there is mathematics there is physics there is

mathematics there is physics there is

mathematics there is physics there is chemistry and if you’re an atheist you

chemistry and if you’re an atheist you

chemistry and if you’re an atheist you can call it nature and if you’re a

can call it nature and if you’re a

can call it nature and if you’re a believer you can call it God all of this

believer you can call it God all of this

believer you can call it God all of this goes into what a storyteller does and

goes into what a storyteller does and

goes into what a storyteller does and then there is something else that

then there is something else that

then there is something else that happens perhaps only in the world of

happens perhaps only in the world of

happens perhaps only in the world of literature there is something called a

literature there is something called a

literature there is something called a pause now a pause is when the

pause now a pause is when the

pause now a pause is when the subconscious mind which has been

subconscious mind which has been

subconscious mind which has been gathering all this facts and information

gathering all this facts and information

gathering all this facts and information memories and observations all of it goes

memories and observations all of it goes

memories and observations all of it goes into a file and it is lit under a

into a file and it is lit under a

into a file and it is lit under a crucible called

crucible called

crucible called the imagination and this is what creates

the imagination and this is what creates

the imagination and this is what creates stories this is a very very famous quote

stories this is a very very famous quote

stories this is a very very famous quote by Nabokov the author of Lolita for

by Nabokov the author of Lolita for

by Nabokov the author of Lolita for those of you who don’t know who he is it

those of you who don’t know who he is it

those of you who don’t know who he is it says basically that having the proper

says basically that having the proper

says basically that having the proper quote is there but if you don’t want to

quote is there but if you don’t want to

quote is there but if you don’t want to read it it says that the first story was

read it it says that the first story was

read it it says that the first story was not born when a man came I mean a boy

not born when a man came I mean a boy

not born when a man came I mean a boy came out of a valley screaming

came out of a valley screaming

came out of a valley screaming wolf wolf and there was a wolf behind

wolf wolf and there was a wolf behind

wolf wolf and there was a wolf behind him the first story was born when a boy

him the first story was born when a boy

him the first story was born when a boy came out of a valley screaming wolf wolf

came out of a valley screaming wolf wolf

came out of a valley screaming wolf wolf and there was no wolf behind him so you

and there was no wolf behind him so you

and there was no wolf behind him so you see that is where a story begins there

see that is where a story begins there

see that is where a story begins there is imagination there is observation and

is imagination there is observation and

is imagination there is observation and there is reality so what I’m going to do

there is reality so what I’m going to do

there is reality so what I’m going to do this afternoon as I stand here before

this afternoon as I stand here before

this afternoon as I stand here before you is to take you through a few

you is to take you through a few

you is to take you through a few instances of how through my own life

instances of how through my own life

instances of how through my own life anecdotal examples of how stories are

anecdotal examples of how stories are

anecdotal examples of how stories are born or how my stories were born

born or how my stories were born

born or how my stories were born now serendipity is something that

now serendipity is something that

now serendipity is something that happens in each one of our lives it

happens in each one of our lives it

happens in each one of our lives it happens to as many a time what a

happens to as many a time what a

happens to as many a time what a storyteller does is to be able to

storyteller does is to be able to

storyteller does is to be able to identify serendipity and make that into

identify serendipity and make that into

identify serendipity and make that into fodder for imagination make that into

fodder for imagination make that into

fodder for imagination make that into substance for a story I come from a very

substance for a story I come from a very

substance for a story I come from a very small village in Kerala it’s called moon

small village in Kerala it’s called moon

small village in Kerala it’s called moon Dakota ku Russia it is so tiny that

Dakota ku Russia it is so tiny that

Dakota ku Russia it is so tiny that nobody knows anything about it in fact

nobody knows anything about it in fact

nobody knows anything about it in fact there is nothing that happens there if

there is nothing that happens there if

there is nothing that happens there if you see that that’s the extent of the

you see that that’s the extent of the

you see that that’s the extent of the village as of now I’m not talking about

village as of now I’m not talking about

village as of now I’m not talking about you know 10 years ago 15 years ago so

you know 10 years ago 15 years ago so

you know 10 years ago 15 years ago so the village is so tiny I like I was

the village is so tiny I like I was

the village is so tiny I like I was saying no Mahatma has been you know has

saying no Mahatma has been you know has

saying no Mahatma has been you know has ever lived there or was born there there

ever lived there or was born there there

ever lived there or was born there there is no form of you know handicrafts or

is no form of you know handicrafts or

is no form of you know handicrafts or craft forms that originated from there

craft forms that originated from there

craft forms that originated from there which make people go looking for it

which make people go looking for it

which make people go looking for it nothing of significance happens there to

nothing of significance happens there to

nothing of significance happens there to anybody except you know the natural

anybody except you know the natural

anybody except you know the natural course of life and death

course of life and death

course of life and death but what moon Dakota girl she has died

but what moon Dakota girl she has died

but what moon Dakota girl she has died and I’m very proud of that is that it

and I’m very proud of that is that it

and I’m very proud of that is that it has a wicked sense of humor and irony

has a wicked sense of humor and irony

has a wicked sense of humor and irony we don’t have an ATM we don’t have a

we don’t have an ATM we don’t have a

we don’t have an ATM we don’t have a movie theater but we have a Cricket Club

movie theater but we have a Cricket Club

movie theater but we have a Cricket Club which is called MCC which is a joke on

which is called MCC which is a joke on

which is called MCC which is a joke on you know the Marilyn bond Cricket Club

you know the Marilyn bond Cricket Club

you know the Marilyn bond Cricket Club and it is one dakota gursha Cricket Club

and it is one dakota gursha Cricket Club

and it is one dakota gursha Cricket Club we have something like five shops like

we have something like five shops like

we have something like five shops like what you see there but we still call

what you see there but we still call

what you see there but we still call ourselves the city

ourselves the city

ourselves the city in 1984 when the first bus began flying

in 1984 when the first bus began flying

in 1984 when the first bus began flying between the nearest town Shore node and

between the nearest town Shore node and

between the nearest town Shore node and moon Dakota cursive and you know the bus

moon Dakota cursive and you know the bus

moon Dakota cursive and you know the bus came they were still designating bus

came they were still designating bus

came they were still designating bus stands and deciding what to call it so

stands and deciding what to call it so

stands and deciding what to call it so they came to this point where there were

they came to this point where there were

they came to this point where there were four shots

four shots

four shots the conductor stopped and they looked

the conductor stopped and they looked

the conductor stopped and they looked around and they said let’s call this one

around and they said let’s call this one

around and they said let’s call this one Dakota or she City and so it became

Dakota or she City and so it became

Dakota or she City and so it became under category City the politics and

under category City the politics and

under category City the politics and this village is very interesting it’s

this village is very interesting it’s

this village is very interesting it’s just in the 1950s it was a stronghold

just in the 1950s it was a stronghold

just in the 1950s it was a stronghold for communist activity and so they

for communist activity and so they

for communist activity and so they started calling this village also Moscow

started calling this village also Moscow

started calling this village also Moscow but in now in recent times you have a

but in now in recent times you have a

but in now in recent times you have a strong presence of Congress you have a

strong presence of Congress you have a

strong presence of Congress you have a strong presence of the BJP

strong presence of the BJP

strong presence of the BJP you have the Muslim League and you have

you have the Muslim League and you have

you have the Muslim League and you have the Communist Party because of which

the Communist Party because of which

the Communist Party because of which every election time is like a game of

every election time is like a game of

every election time is like a game of Russian roulette you don’t know who’s

Russian roulette you don’t know who’s

Russian roulette you don’t know who’s going to win and by what margin my

going to win and by what margin my

going to win and by what margin my family goes back there by four hundred

family goes back there by four hundred

family goes back there by four hundred and sixty years at least and my parents

and sixty years at least and my parents

and sixty years at least and my parents when they retired from service moved

when they retired from service moved

when they retired from service moved back to the village that was our

back to the village that was our

back to the village that was our ancestral village in true South Indian

ancestral village in true South Indian

ancestral village in true South Indian tradition my parents are related and so

tradition my parents are related and so

tradition my parents are related and so they decided to go back and once they

they decided to go back and once they

they decided to go back and once they were there you know it took them after

were there you know it took them after

were there you know it took them after six years they still couldn’t break into

six years they still couldn’t break into

six years they still couldn’t break into this community you know a village is so

this community you know a village is so

this community you know a village is so tight I mean everywhere we like to

tight I mean everywhere we like to

tight I mean everywhere we like to believe of villages as this bucolic

believe of villages as this bucolic

believe of villages as this bucolic idyllic places but they can be the most

idyllic places but they can be the most

idyllic places but they can be the most closed community most sanctimonious kind

closed community most sanctimonious kind

closed community most sanctimonious kind of people so after about 6 years my

of people so after about 6 years my

of people so after about 6 years my parents were sick and tired of it and

parents were sick and tired of it and

parents were sick and tired of it and they said they were going to leave and

they said they were going to leave and

they said they were going to leave and they decided they were going to sell the

they decided they were going to sell the

they decided they were going to sell the property I was heartbroken because I’ve

property I was heartbroken because I’ve

property I was heartbroken because I’ve always felt this great connection to

always felt this great connection to

always felt this great connection to this place so I thought I was going to

this place so I thought I was going to

this place so I thought I was going to chronicle this village for my son so at

chronicle this village for my son so at

chronicle this village for my son so at a point in life when he would turn

a point in life when he would turn

a point in life when he would turn around and ask me where did we come from

around and ask me where did we come from

around and ask me where did we come from I would just give him this book and say

I would just give him this book and say

I would just give him this book and say here this is our history I started

here this is our history I started

here this is our history I started writing one chapter down I suddenly

writing one chapter down I suddenly

writing one chapter down I suddenly stopped and I said what am i doing

stopped and I said what am i doing

stopped and I said what am i doing chronicling a village this is the

chronicling a village this is the

chronicling a village this is the material for my first

material for my first

material for my first this is what I’m going to be writing

this is what I’m going to be writing

this is what I’m going to be writing about how little villages are simply a

about how little villages are simply a

about how little villages are simply a microcosm of the entire universe that we

microcosm of the entire universe that we

microcosm of the entire universe that we live in everything that you can see in

live in everything that you can see in

live in everything that you can see in the world around you you can see in a

the world around you you can see in a

the world around you you can see in a little village we just don’t want to be

little village we just don’t want to be

little village we just don’t want to be you know we don’t fear and denial most

you know we don’t fear and denial most

you know we don’t fear and denial most of the time not wanting to accept it and

of the time not wanting to accept it and

of the time not wanting to accept it and so my first novel the better man was

so my first novel the better man was

so my first novel the better man was born I published my first two novels I

born I published my first two novels I

born I published my first two novels I had a certain you know element of Fame

had a certain you know element of Fame

had a certain you know element of Fame and celebrity Dom etcetera I was being

and celebrity Dom etcetera I was being

and celebrity Dom etcetera I was being constantly invited for dinner parties

constantly invited for dinner parties

constantly invited for dinner parties where I would be lionized I was invited

where I would be lionized I was invited

where I would be lionized I was invited for speaking engagements I was invited

for speaking engagements I was invited

for speaking engagements I was invited for you know various kinds of things I

for you know various kinds of things I

for you know various kinds of things I was going on world to us for my books

was going on world to us for my books

was going on world to us for my books and stuff like that and at some point in

and stuff like that and at some point in

and stuff like that and at some point in my life I took a step back and asked

my life I took a step back and asked

my life I took a step back and asked myself is this artistic success all this

myself is this artistic success all this

myself is this artistic success all this Fame whatever you know being lionized

Fame whatever you know being lionized

Fame whatever you know being lionized having giving out interviews whatever

having giving out interviews whatever

having giving out interviews whatever awards whatever you win is this truly a

awards whatever you win is this truly a

awards whatever you win is this truly a measure of artistic success or is

measure of artistic success or is

measure of artistic success or is artistic success something that an

artistic success something that an

artistic success something that an artist himself or herself understands

artist himself or herself understands

artist himself or herself understands when you know that you’ve raised the bar

when you know that you’ve raised the bar

when you know that you’ve raised the bar for yourself

for yourself

for yourself you’ve pushed yourself out of your

you’ve pushed yourself out of your

you’ve pushed yourself out of your comfort zone and that you have made a

comfort zone and that you have made a

comfort zone and that you have made a certain impact not just on the world

certain impact not just on the world

certain impact not just on the world around you but within yourself so this

around you but within yourself so this

around you but within yourself so this was a question that was troubling me it

was a question that was troubling me it

was a question that was troubling me it was a it was a huge kind of you know

was a it was a huge kind of you know

was a it was a huge kind of you know thing that sat on my head all the time I

thing that sat on my head all the time I

thing that sat on my head all the time I was reeling my work and asking myself

was reeling my work and asking myself

was reeling my work and asking myself what am i doing am I going to play to

what am i doing am I going to play to

what am i doing am I going to play to the gallery and just keep writing the

the gallery and just keep writing the

the gallery and just keep writing the same kind of things that have got me

same kind of things that have got me

same kind of things that have got me success or am I going to push the

success or am I going to push the

success or am I going to push the barrier higher okay so then I remembered

barrier higher okay so then I remembered

barrier higher okay so then I remembered something very significant that had

something very significant that had

something very significant that had happened in my life I was working in

happened in my life I was working in

happened in my life I was working in advertising and one day I walking into

advertising and one day I walking into

advertising and one day I walking into work and it so it was a little agency so

work and it so it was a little agency so

work and it so it was a little agency so it you know steps go up and so on I

it you know steps go up and so on I

it you know steps go up and so on I climb up the steps

climb up the steps

climb up the steps and go there and in the reception is a

and go there and in the reception is a

and go there and in the reception is a kadhai Kelly dancer

kadhai Kelly dancer

kadhai Kelly dancer for those of you who haven’t seen what

for those of you who haven’t seen what

for those of you who haven’t seen what Okada Kelly dances look at the costume

Okada Kelly dances look at the costume

Okada Kelly dances look at the costume on the right the one with the crown

on the right the one with the crown

on the right the one with the crown there he is standing in full costume in

there he is standing in full costume in

there he is standing in full costume in the middle of the reception so the

the middle of the reception so the

the middle of the reception so the reception must be not even as large as

reception must be not even as large as

reception must be not even as large as the dice that I’m standing on he’s

the dice that I’m standing on he’s

the dice that I’m standing on he’s standing there and he’s doing mudra as

standing there and he’s doing mudra as

standing there and he’s doing mudra as he’s doing this he’s doing this and

he’s doing this he’s doing this and

he’s doing this he’s doing this and everything and there the rest of my

everything and there the rest of my

everything and there the rest of my colleagues are standing there and there

colleagues are standing there and there

colleagues are standing there and there were sniggers they were giggles because

were sniggers they were giggles because

were sniggers they were giggles because to them he was just a kind of strange

to them he was just a kind of strange

to them he was just a kind of strange figure of ridicule who had appeared one

figure of ridicule who had appeared one

figure of ridicule who had appeared one morning in the office reception and then

morning in the office reception and then

morning in the office reception and then I saw him you know hold his costume like

I saw him you know hold his costume like

I saw him you know hold his costume like this go down the stairs they put him up

this go down the stairs they put him up

this go down the stairs they put him up into the back of a pickup truck

into the back of a pickup truck

into the back of a pickup truck and they took him away I went back into

and they took him away I went back into

and they took him away I went back into the office and I said what was going on

the office and I said what was going on

the office and I said what was going on so they said oh you know so by the way I

so they said oh you know so by the way I

so they said oh you know so by the way I live in Bangalore so they said this he

live in Bangalore so they said this he

live in Bangalore so they said this he was being brought here as a gimmick as a

was being brought here as a gimmick as a

was being brought here as a gimmick as a living walking talking rate card for an

living walking talking rate card for an

living walking talking rate card for an up country publication now for those of

up country publication now for those of

up country publication now for those of you who don’t know what a rate card is

you who don’t know what a rate card is

you who don’t know what a rate card is it is something that publications

it is something that publications

it is something that publications periodicals newspapers we are talking

periodicals newspapers we are talking

periodicals newspapers we are talking pre-internet period would hand out to

pre-internet period would hand out to

pre-internet period would hand out to various advertising agencies saying that

various advertising agencies saying that

various advertising agencies saying that you know if you were to do a quarter

you know if you were to do a quarter

you know if you were to do a quarter page advertisement this is what it will

page advertisement this is what it will

page advertisement this is what it will cost you in black and white this is what

cost you in black and white this is what

cost you in black and white this is what it will cost you in Carlow etc so there

it will cost you in Carlow etc so there

it will cost you in Carlow etc so there are different kinds of rates so since

are different kinds of rates so since

are different kinds of rates so since there were so many publications in those

there were so many publications in those

there were so many publications in those days they needed to do something

days they needed to do something

days they needed to do something gimmicky to catch the attention of the

gimmicky to catch the attention of the

gimmicky to catch the attention of the media planner in the advertising agency

media planner in the advertising agency

media planner in the advertising agency and this man who had probably put in

and this man who had probably put in

and this man who had probably put in nine years of work because before you

nine years of work because before you

nine years of work because before you actually get onto a stage you have to go

actually get onto a stage you have to go

actually get onto a stage you have to go through a nine year intense routine of

through a nine year intense routine of

through a nine year intense routine of learning was suddenly reduced to being a

learning was suddenly reduced to being a

learning was suddenly reduced to being a prop and you see this all the time you

prop and you see this all the time you

prop and you see this all the time you see a car the Kali dancer being used as

see a car the Kali dancer being used as

see a car the Kali dancer being used as a prop

a prop

a prop detergent commercials sometimes he’s

detergent commercials sometimes he’s

detergent commercials sometimes he’s used as a you know as a background

used as a you know as a background

used as a you know as a background dancer

dancer

dancer you know in a movie song sometimes you

you know in a movie song sometimes you

you know in a movie song sometimes you see four or five of them standing there

see four or five of them standing there

see four or five of them standing there and racing their legs like chorus

and racing their legs like chorus

and racing their legs like chorus dancers and some is something in me died

dancers and some is something in me died

dancers and some is something in me died at that thought that here is a person

at that thought that here is a person

at that thought that here is a person who has put in so much and I wouldn’t

who has put in so much and I wouldn’t

who has put in so much and I wouldn’t blame him because he has absolutely no

blame him because he has absolutely no

blame him because he has absolutely no you know placed you stand there and to

you know placed you stand there and to

you know placed you stand there and to do perform his art because fewer and

do perform his art because fewer and

do perform his art because fewer and fewer people are watching critically and

fewer people are watching critically and

fewer people are watching critically and he has to take what he has to but I was

he has to take what he has to but I was

he has to take what he has to but I was thinking about the world we live in

thinking about the world we live in

thinking about the world we live in which red uses art to nothing and so

which red uses art to nothing and so

which red uses art to nothing and so what are the basic tenets of Kathakali

what are the basic tenets of Kathakali

what are the basic tenets of Kathakali for instance is that a minute on the

for instance is that a minute on the

for instance is that a minute on the stage

stage

stage demands hundred hours of practice and

demands hundred hours of practice and

demands hundred hours of practice and generally acadec early performance can

generally acadec early performance can

generally acadec early performance can stretch as long as five hours so just

stretch as long as five hours so just

stretch as long as five hours so just imagine the amount of work he would have

imagine the amount of work he would have

imagine the amount of work he would have had to put in and he has absolutely no

had to put in and he has absolutely no

had to put in and he has absolutely no opportunity to perform at that point I

opportunity to perform at that point I

opportunity to perform at that point I knew that I wanted to write a book

knew that I wanted to write a book

knew that I wanted to write a book exploring the concept of artistic

exploring the concept of artistic

exploring the concept of artistic success I have no answers I had no

success I have no answers I had no

success I have no answers I had no answers I still don’t have a clear-cut

answers I still don’t have a clear-cut

answers I still don’t have a clear-cut answer but at least I was able to arrive

answer but at least I was able to arrive

answer but at least I was able to arrive at a certain understanding that for me

at a certain understanding that for me

at a certain understanding that for me it might be different for every other

it might be different for every other

it might be different for every other artist in the world but for me artistic

artist in the world but for me artistic

artist in the world but for me artistic success is basically about pushing the

success is basically about pushing the

success is basically about pushing the barrier about taking it to the next

barrier about taking it to the next

barrier about taking it to the next level to be able to tell myself at the

level to be able to tell myself at the

level to be able to tell myself at the end of it all that this was worth it

end of it all that this was worth it

end of it all that this was worth it because if you look at it what is the

because if you look at it what is the

because if you look at it what is the meaning or significance of art in

meaning or significance of art in

meaning or significance of art in everyday life if you look at it it’s

everyday life if you look at it it’s

everyday life if you look at it it’s just a piece of art that you hang on a

just a piece of art that you hang on a

just a piece of art that you hang on a wall it’s a probably a piece of music

wall it’s a probably a piece of music

wall it’s a probably a piece of music that you listen to when you’re climbing

that you listen to when you’re climbing

that you listen to when you’re climbing I mean when you’re in an elevator or in

I mean when you’re in an elevator or in

I mean when you’re in an elevator or in your dentist reception area

your dentist reception area

your dentist reception area it is probably a book you read and then

it is probably a book you read and then

it is probably a book you read and then leave behind and never look at again but

leave behind and never look at again but

leave behind and never look at again but somebody somewhere has been sitting and

somebody somewhere has been sitting and

somebody somewhere has been sitting and working on it and toiling endlessly on

working on it and toiling endlessly on

working on it and toiling endlessly on it and for what joy as some other

it and for what joy as some other

it and for what joy as some other speakers have said before and yesterday

speakers have said before and yesterday

speakers have said before and yesterday I was having dinner with my publisher

I was having dinner with my publisher

I was having dinner with my publisher and she was telling me about a cricketer

and she was telling me about a cricketer

and she was telling me about a cricketer who’s writing his biography and

who’s writing his biography and

who’s writing his biography and once the the economics of it was

once the the economics of it was

once the the economics of it was explained to him he turned around and

explained to him he turned around and

explained to him he turned around and said why do writers write there is no

said why do writers write there is no

said why do writers write there is no money in it writers write because we

money in it writers write because we

money in it writers write because we can’t help ourselves we have to write so

can’t help ourselves we have to write so

can’t help ourselves we have to write so every artist creates because they can’t

every artist creates because they can’t

every artist creates because they can’t help it they need to create so yes there

help it they need to create so yes there

help it they need to create so yes there are serendipity

are serendipity

are serendipity there is self-examination but there is

there is self-examination but there is

there is self-examination but there is one other thing that as a storyteller I

one other thing that as a storyteller I

one other thing that as a storyteller I need to be able to create my stories I

need to be able to create my stories I

need to be able to create my stories I cannot live within this ivory tower of

cannot live within this ivory tower of

cannot live within this ivory tower of my own existential angst and you know

my own existential angst and you know

my own existential angst and you know tell myself this is what I’m going to be

tell myself this is what I’m going to be

tell myself this is what I’m going to be writing about so I sometimes it happens

writing about so I sometimes it happens

writing about so I sometimes it happens and then I should know when to do it so

and then I should know when to do it so

and then I should know when to do it so September 21st of September 2013 I was

September 21st of September 2013 I was

September 21st of September 2013 I was working and then there was a news alert

working and then there was a news alert

working and then there was a news alert saying that there was this shooting that

saying that there was this shooting that

saying that there was this shooting that happened in the Westgate Mall in Nairobi

happened in the Westgate Mall in Nairobi

happened in the Westgate Mall in Nairobi friends of mine very close friends of

friends of mine very close friends of

friends of mine very close friends of mine live in Nairobi and every Saturday

mine live in Nairobi and every Saturday

mine live in Nairobi and every Saturday morning they would go to the mall and I

morning they would go to the mall and I

morning they would go to the mall and I was petrified I was wondering what

was petrified I was wondering what

was petrified I was wondering what happened and I you know managed to get

happened and I you know managed to get

happened and I you know managed to get through to them and realize they were

through to them and realize they were

through to them and realize they were safe I went back to my writing but later

safe I went back to my writing but later

safe I went back to my writing but later in the day as the news alerts were kind

in the day as the news alerts were kind

in the day as the news alerts were kind of coming in I realized that there was

of coming in I realized that there was

of coming in I realized that there was something else there that you know it

something else there that you know it

something else there that you know it had been a shoot out by an Islamic group

had been a shoot out by an Islamic group

had been a shoot out by an Islamic group and they had segregated the group into

and they had segregated the group into

and they had segregated the group into two sets of audiences I mean two sets of

two sets of audiences I mean two sets of

two sets of audiences I mean two sets of people they said that Muslims and the

people they said that Muslims and the

people they said that Muslims and the non-muslims the Muslims were allowed to

non-muslims the Muslims were allowed to

non-muslims the Muslims were allowed to go they turned around and they

go they turned around and they

go they turned around and they apparently asked everybody to make sure

apparently asked everybody to make sure

apparently asked everybody to make sure that they were Muslims one of the things

that they were Muslims one of the things

that they were Muslims one of the things that they did was to ask them the name

that they did was to ask them the name

that they did was to ask them the name of the prophet’s mother now I have been

of the prophet’s mother now I have been

of the prophet’s mother now I have been to several schools here in India and one

to several schools here in India and one

to several schools here in India and one of the things that I realize all the

of the things that I realize all the

of the things that I realize all the time is that I asked the children there

time is that I asked the children there

time is that I asked the children there tell me what is the name of the

tell me what is the name of the

tell me what is the name of the monkey-god children pipe up and say

monkey-god children pipe up and say

monkey-god children pipe up and say Hanuman what was Rama’s sister I mean

Hanuman what was Rama’s sister I mean

Hanuman what was Rama’s sister I mean Rama’s wife called Sita comes up

Rama’s wife called Sita comes up

Rama’s wife called Sita comes up immediately I turn around and ask them

immediately I turn around and ask them

immediately I turn around and ask them what was Jesus’s mother

what was Jesus’s mother

what was Jesus’s mother called Mary how did Jesus die he was

called Mary how did Jesus die he was

called Mary how did Jesus die he was nailed on a cross then I asked him what

nailed on a cross then I asked him what

nailed on a cross then I asked him what is the name of the prophets mother blank

is the name of the prophets mother blank

is the name of the prophets mother blank absolute silence and at that point there

absolute silence and at that point there

absolute silence and at that point there was this writer in me again the

was this writer in me again the

was this writer in me again the storyteller in me who said there is a

storyteller in me who said there is a

storyteller in me who said there is a lacuna that needs to be filled and I am

lacuna that needs to be filled and I am

lacuna that needs to be filled and I am going to try and fill it and the thing

going to try and fill it and the thing

going to try and fill it and the thing was the Quran has always been seen as a

was the Quran has always been seen as a

was the Quran has always been seen as a book that people don’t want to talk

book that people don’t want to talk

book that people don’t want to talk about now I’m not an expert on Islamic

about now I’m not an expert on Islamic

about now I’m not an expert on Islamic Studies but I do like everybody else

Studies but I do like everybody else

Studies but I do like everybody else like reading parables and you do see

like reading parables and you do see

like reading parables and you do see parables in all books so I thought what

parables in all books so I thought what

parables in all books so I thought what I would do was look at the Islamic law

I would do was look at the Islamic law

I would do was look at the Islamic law and work out a book which would allow

and work out a book which would allow

and work out a book which would allow children and people several of us here

children and people several of us here

children and people several of us here in this room who do not know anything

in this room who do not know anything

in this room who do not know anything about what are the contents of the Quran

about what are the contents of the Quran

about what are the contents of the Quran understand some things some elements so

understand some things some elements so

understand some things some elements so that we know that there is absolutely

that we know that there is absolutely

that we know that there is absolutely nothing that preaches violence and

nothing that preaches violence and

nothing that preaches violence and hatred in the Quran just like any other

hatred in the Quran just like any other

hatred in the Quran just like any other tenet of any other religion whether it

tenet of any other religion whether it

tenet of any other religion whether it is Judaism or Buddhism Hinduism

is Judaism or Buddhism Hinduism

is Judaism or Buddhism Hinduism Christianity whatever the Quran – is a

Christianity whatever the Quran – is a

Christianity whatever the Quran – is a book that preaches peace and love and so

book that preaches peace and love and so

book that preaches peace and love and so was born my children’s book called Musa

was born my children’s book called Musa

was born my children’s book called Musa and baby John stories from the Quran at

and baby John stories from the Quran at

and baby John stories from the Quran at the end of it all when I look back and I

the end of it all when I look back and I

the end of it all when I look back and I asked myself why do I write I just have

asked myself why do I write I just have

asked myself why do I write I just have one reason why I write to lead from

one reason why I write to lead from

one reason why I write to lead from ignorance to the beginnings of knowledge

ignorance to the beginnings of knowledge

ignorance to the beginnings of knowledge from prejudice to a better understanding

from prejudice to a better understanding

from prejudice to a better understanding and to reaffirm in these times wreaked

and to reaffirm in these times wreaked

and to reaffirm in these times wreaked with discrimination and terror that

with discrimination and terror that

with discrimination and terror that there is still hope that we need to be

there is still hope that we need to be

there is still hope that we need to be as much humane as we are human nothing

as much humane as we are human nothing

as much humane as we are human nothing else matters nothing else is of

else matters nothing else is of

else matters nothing else is of consequence thank you

consequence thank you

consequence thank you you