Sreelekha Chatterjee

What was your favorite book as a child?

Among the list of favorites, the one that created a lasting impression on my mind as a child was A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The unforgettable introductory line (“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”), the captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and transformation, showcasing the stark contrast between the aristocrats and common people against the backdrop of French Revolution — all remain etched in my memory till this day.

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I was brought up in a book lover’s paradise with cupboards full of books from all over the world. My parents (my first teachers) inculcated the habit of reading books naturally in me. Our family discussions revolved around literature, music, theatre, and cinema. I started writing poems and plays at the beginning of my teenage days. During holidays, my friends and I used to enact those plays penned by me. It used to be a lot of fun. Once I wrote a poem on Mother Teresa and sent it to her. I was fortunate to receive her blessings, and she encouraged me to continue writing to give joy to others. That was a huge motivation for me.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

I always lived in a very protective environment until I decided to take up the job of a scientist in a biotechnology laboratory in a small city in the western part of India. Being accustomed to life in a metro, it was a venturesome approach to embark on a journey all alone in an unknown city. Thankfully, after some initial discomforts, things had fallen into place and I enjoyed one of the best days of my life.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

I love listening to music. But I usually do not play music while reading or writing. It’s probably a habit. I believe lyrics distract, but soothing background music definitely stirs the imagination buds deep inside to bloom.