Shilpa Agarwal, author of the highly praised debut novel Haunting Bombay, was kind enough to take a few moments to answer questions (via email) from Seattle Metblogs.

A native of Mumbai, Ms. Agarwal currently lives in Los Angeles. In addition to writing, Ms. Agarwal has taught at both UCLA and UCSB. Her areas of interest include the South Asian diaspora, and the politics and poetics of community. (source: http://shilpaagarwal.com/biography.htm)

Ms. Agarwal will be reading and signing at Elliott Bay Books this evening, at 7:30 PM.

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Who or what are your primary literary influences?

My writing has been influenced [by] post-colonial writers who trace the impact of
colonialism on a culture or nation, and women writers who undrape the inner
workings of power and gender in a society. Primary influences include:

Nawal El Saadawi, who writes powerfully about women pushing up against the
rigid confines of Egyptian society.

Salman Rushdie, who weaves his stories together with mythology and history.

Toni Morrison, who also brings the weight of history and the past into her
writing but also incorporates supernatural elements (e.g., BELOVED).

Do you feel that there is a burgeoning Indian-American literary
movement, especially among women, or instead that American publishing is
becoming more open to Indian and Indian-American literature?

I think it’s both. Through my work in the South Asian artist community I
have definitely sensed more and more women wanting to share their stories,
whether through writing, drama, music, dance, film or visual arts. And with
American audiences being increasingly exposed to Indian culture, be it
through acclaimed novels such as WHITE TIGER or the Oscar-winning film
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, the publishing industry is taking note of how South
Asian stories can captivate.

Could you provide some insight into Indian literary traditions?

There are two threads that I see in Indian literature. One is immigrant
stories in the US or other Diasporic communities, of the struggles of
immigrants to assimilate and at the same time preserve cultural traditions.
The other is stories set in South Asia that appeal to readers with an
interest in South Asian life, history and culture.

How has living between two cultures affected your work?

HAUNTING BOMBAY gives a vivid snapshot of 1960’s India but is also a ghost
story that draws in readers who enjoy supernatural themes and compelling
mysteries. Living between two cultures has made me very interested in
moments of crossing, whether East meets West, centers meet the peripheries,
or the living meet the dead.

Do you have other books in the pipeline, either finished or in
process? What may readers expect from you next?

I have been working on my second book for the past two years. Set in
contemporary India, the story includes supernatural and magical themes as
well as crossing the boundaries of heaven and earth.

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We wish Ms. Agarwal success with her book tour. Thanks to Sarah Reidy of Soho Press for her assistance, and to Ms. Agarwal for taking the time to answer our questions.