Sunday, January 30, 2011

How To Write About India

This is a piece I wrote for IITM's cultural festival, Saarang.

I saw this essay by Binyavanga Wainaina. It was titled How to Write About Africa. I’m sure some such document exists about China as well and is very strictly enforced by their government. And you’ll understand when I say that I find it slightly demoralising to my patriotic spirit that no such instructions exist for India, the only country that can compete with the whole of Africa at exoticism, diversity and population. That, therefore, is exactly what I’m going to do today. Teach you how to write about India.