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Parvati Sharma on why she chose to satirise the Gandhis of Congress

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Kaveree Bamzai
Kaveree BamzaiOct 14, 2016 | 16:53

Parvati Sharma on why she chose to satirise the Gandhis of Congress

In conversation with Kaveree Bamzai, Parvati Sharma talks of writing satire in the age of Modi. Why a certain Moradabad businessman named Robert doesn't feature in Brunch, and what to do with the cow.

1. How do you know them sooo well?

Haha… I don't know what I know of them, but I certainly know my share of overly doting mothers thrusting the fondly imagined potential of their gilt-wrapped offspring upon the unsuspecting public. Don't we all?

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"Brunch" writer Parvati Sharma. (Photo credit: Google)

2. Do Rahul/Priyanka/Sonia have a sense of humour? Would you have been able to do this if they'd been in power?

I bet Sonia has a sense of humour - it would have been difficult to survive in the kind of politics she has, as long as she has, without one. And, sure, I hope I'd have written this whether or not they were in power, though hypothetical heroism is easy.

Having said that, making fun of the Gandhis (and the Congress as a whole) has become something of a cottage industry in the last few years, even before our new government came to power.

So the challenge for me was to satirise them without taking only potshots, without letting the current government off the hook… and maybe even with a bit of empathy.

3. Is it easy to write satire now? In the age of Modi?

I can't say I didn't have slight heebie-jeebies. "Brunch" isn't just about the Gandhis, it's also making fun of the age of Modi, which isn't a particularly humorous age. Nor is it an age that's been particularly welcoming of disagreement, let alone dissent.

Whether it's easy or not, I guess I'll find out - but when we find ourselves in an age that makes us ask this question, that makes us second-guess ourselves, then that's probably a good sign that satire, easy or not, is necessary. As they say, the worst times have the best jokes.

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"Brunch" by Parvati Sharma is available exclusively on the Juggernaut app 

4. Why don't Rahul's dogs feature in the short story?

Now that you mention it, why not indeed? Next time.

5. Where is Robert?

Robert's been delicately disinvited from family brunches. He spends the whole time mansplaining, doesn't get the jokes, and the very sight of that moustache quivering with manly indignation is enough to give Sonia a headache. In short, he just… you know. Kills the vibe.

6. Is there a sequel where the cow runs the Congress party eventually?

Ha! That's a question only the high command can answer, but they'd better think on their hooves or the cow will be co-opted it's clear.

7. What are you working on right now?

I'm finishing a novel, tentatively titled Naamo Hussain and the Family Demise, which features the somewhat dysfunctional family of Satnam "Naamo" Hussain as they grapple with the aftermath of a murder in the family. It should be out next year.

(Brunch by Parvati Sharma is available exclusively on the Juggernaut app.) 

Last updated: October 14, 2016 | 16:56
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