Shanghai based writer Dipika Mukherjee discussed her debut novel “Thunder Demons” with a distinguished panel at a book reading organized by the Consulate General of India at the Shanghai Writers’ Association on May 19, 2012. ‘Thunder Demons’ was long-listed for Man Asian Literary Prize 2009. The panelists were Tan Zheng, a prolific writer & professor of English Literature at Fudan University; Peoy Leng, a Malaysian writer and Kunal Sinha, Indian writer & Regional Director for Cultural Insights, Oglivy & Mather, Asia Pacific. The book reading session was moderated by Indira Ravindran, visiting professor at the School of Political Science & International Relations at Tongji University.

The event began with panelists reading out parts of the book that they liked the most and which had the greatest impact on them. Subsequently, the audience posed various questions to Ms Mukherjee including the oft-asked questions ‘Why did you choose to write this kind of a book’ & ‘Your motivation for writing the book’. Her unique style of answering questions which showed her deep love & affection for the country where she spent a large part of her life left a profound impact on the audience. Members of the diplomatic corps, writers, filmmakers, media personnel etc attended the event.

Dipika Mukherjee is currently a Professor at the Institute of Linguistic Studies at Shanghai International Studies University and a Fellow at the International Institute for Asian Studies in Leiden, The Netherlands. She has edited two anthologies of short stories – Silverfish New Writing 6 (Silverfish, 2006) and The Merlion and Hibiscus (Penguin, 2002). Her first poetry collection, the Palimpsest of Exile, was published by Rubicon Press in 2009. She received rave reviews for her book ‘Thunder Demons’.

Dipika Mukherjee with panelists at the Book event

Tan Zheng reading a passage from 'Thunder Demons'

Peoy Leng giving a Malaysian perspective at the event

Dipika Mukherjee responding to questions by audience