Author Interview : Amitabh Pandey, author of ‘Love in Lutyens' Delhi' (Part 1)

Amitabh Pandey

Read up, part one of the Interview with Amitabh Pandey, author of 'Love in Lutyens' Delhi'. Into our female dominated world, comes this book, probably at a funny time. We have females dominating the world with their work, both at home and out of home. We also have them displaying their love. One is a little girl's, her mother's, and her aunt's and the love they share among them and to the lone boy, outside. In this confusing world, a mix it of  status' and educations', this book comes along.



In this first part of the Interview, how the book happened, where he describes the journey and what according to him was different about the book. What the most fulfilling part of the book was and how he relates the lives of the characters to women today, Folks...

How did ‘Love in Lutyens’ Delhi’ happen? Could you describe the journey?

I wrote the first draft more than ten years ago, didn’t like the end result and rewrote it a year ago. 

The issue that I wanted to write about was that of a rapid change in the education and financial status of women in a society still dominated by men with very conservative, orthodox views and the impact of this anomaly on relationships between young people. 

The problem was real in my youth and I feel it is still significant and needs to be talked about.

What according to you is different about your book?

I don’t know what the basis for comparison is, but all I wanted to do was to highlight some strong women characters in a society that is still conservative and do it as an interesting story.

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What part of the three or four stories, were you most close to and why?

I like them all-It’s my baby!

What is the most fulfilling part of writing this book? And what is the most challenging?

Writing is fulfilling in itself. Creating real and strong women protagonists is always a challenge.

How would you relate the lives of characters to the lives of women, today? Any similarities?

A lot of educated, professional women today, face I feel, great difficulties in being accepted and treated as equals in a society that is essentially male dominated.

Also, considerations of caste, community etc. do impact relationships significantly.

Which particular character did you feel most close to? Why?

Impossible to answer – I created them!


You can Read the Review, and Buy the Book right here, as well.