Q&A with graphic novelist Nandita Basu
Rain Must Fall is author Nandita Basu's second graphic novel ( The Piano being the first). It is a tender coming of age story of a teenager and her friendship with a ghost and how they both help each other to resolve personal contentious issues. A wonderful story, which will appeal to all teenagers as well as adults.
Here's a brief Q&A with Nandita, conducted over mail.
Q1. So let’s start from the beginning. When did you realise
you wanted to be a graphic novelist? Are you a professional visual artist or
self-trained?
Well I was in my twenties when I
was introduced to Franco-Dutch graphic novels by a friend and that world drew me
in completely. I was into writing but this introduction changed my expression.
As far as being an artist goes, I am not trained. I used to draw comic panels
and illustrations to entertain a very dear friend of mine who was terminally
ill. Writing stories and drawing was a way to brighten up her day.
Q2. What in your opinion is more important in a graphic
novel – the visuals or the story?
It’s actually a very delicate
balance. Words and visuals are constantly in conversation with each other, and
if any one of them become dominant, it could just end up sounding like an
argument. I suppose it is much like brewing a good cup of tea.
Q3. Since you also play the piano, was your first graphic
novel (The Piano) partly autobiographical?
No, it’s not autobiographical.
But having said that, I think every writer ends up expressing some part of
their life sub-consciously in a book. Of course the piano, Marcus Aurelius is
a real piano that I own and I do relate to it as more than an inanimate object .
But I have never had to lose it thankfully. But that’s where the similarity
ends.
Q4. Now about your latest (2nd) work- Rain
Must Fall. How did this come about?
Honestly, I don’t plan books.
They just happen. So in this case. Rain just fell. It took me about four months
to finish it. This was right in the middle of the pandemic. But I must add, it
was not because I had a lot of time on my hands then:) It was quite the
contrary. So I have no idea how Rain Must Fall ended up happening. It just did.
Q5. How did the idea of using a ghost (albeit a friendly
one) as an important character come to you?
We are all ghosts inside, aren’t
we!! The spirit is the finer part in us, ( that’s my belief) and it is beyond
boundaries of society . So I felt the friend Rumi had to encounter quite literally
had to be out of this world. Besides, When I was about 14, I had a great desire
to meet the ghost of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and hang out with him. Of course
that never happened. That was also an inspiration for Rain.
Q6. Rumi is rather an unusual name for the teenage
protagonist. Any specific idea behind it?
Yes, I love Rumi’s poetry. This
poet found eternal truth and in that way his name stands for freedom for me.
For me that name represents going beyond the physical form.
I wanted the main character of my
book to carry a name that speaks of the same freedom. It also fit the character
because I didn’t want a conventional
gender oriented name for the protagonist.
Q7. Do you think confusion regarding gender (as in the case
of Rumi) is a common phenomenon nowadays amongst teenagers? If yes, why?
Well, I don’t believe it’s
confusion. It’s more about someone confronting their own truth. And it’s a
process, the time involved can be different for everyone. The way one
approaches it can also be different. These days teenagers are more aware and
have a lot more avenues and information which they can access when they
identify differently. So that just gives them more space to express and even
start understanding their own feelings. That’s the only reason one gets to
see/hear about it more.
Q8. I think in India there’s still low acceptance of boys opting for activities traditionally associated with girls ( like the character of Dada in the novel). What do you think?
Absolutely, but if I may add,
the Arts as a discipline is not a preferred professional choice for most
families, (I don’t think this is restricted to India alone). Add that to a boy
and it’s a recipe for disaster.
Q9. Rain Must Fall is a much longer work than The
Piano. Was this intentional? And how long did it take to complete it?
Yes, The Piano was meant for a
different age group. Another thing I wanted to convey in that book was a sense
of time passing without the reader being caught in it. So the briefness was
important. Rain Must Fall, is meant for a slightly older audience , also the
story has a lot more emotions, the characters needed a little more depth as
opposed to the one’s in The Piano. Like I have mentioned earlier I finished it
in four months.
Q10. Do you write down the story first and then work on the
graphics or both the things go on simultaneously?
It’s integrated. I actually see
most of the pages and hear the dialogues in my mind before I write and draw.
And once I start drawing/writing it’s all at the same time.
Q11. Both your works have been in monochrome. Why so? Also,
would you like to continue in the same vein or add colour in future?
Well, one reason is I feel I
have more control when I use black and white. Also, it is more cost effective
for the publisher. I do not see my self using a full colour palatte even in the
future. It would at best be 3 colours.
Q12. Any major influences? Which is your favourite graphic
novel?
Well inspiration maybe.
Influence would mean I would have to be insanely talented to integrate certain
art styles in my work. I don’t believe I fall in that category. I love the work
of Comes (Belgian/Dutch graphic comic artist), I adore the illustrations of
Sukumar Ray. I don’t have one particular favourite book, but the one’s that
come to mind right now – Stilte (Dutch), Persopolis, Maus.
Q13. How do you think you have evolved from your first
graphic novel to this one?
Well, I always seem to have a
problem knitting the middle part of a story, I think I am getting a little
better with that. But maybe the reader will know better.
Q14. What is your next project?
Like I said before, books happen
to me. So when the next story decides to appear I will start engaging with it.
Right now there are just glimpses of it, so there is not much to say there.
You can buy the book here - https://bit.ly/32ujRkK
Literary gifts for all - https://booksetcstore.com
