Nobel laureate visits Chennai
 The ambience of the Apex Plaza,
Landmark, Nungambakkam, was cool at 6.15 p.m. on October 21, and the welcome to the 72-year-old Nobel laureate, V S Naipaul, a warm one. The Trinidad-born writer of Indian origin was on a visit to the city to promote his latest book 'Magic Seeds'.
The audience at Landmark comprised people from various disciplines, including architects, professors, social workers, bankers, engineers, research scholars and students. After a short welcome address, two members of the Madras Players, Mitran Devanesan and P C Ramachandran, read a passage from 'Magic Seeds'. It was followed by an interactive session.
Lady Nadira Naipaul sifted the questions the audience had handed down in the written format and Naipaul had many an anecdote to punctuate his answers with. His replies were succinct, to the point, marked with clarity.
Naipaul, as well as the audience, was enthused by the variety of the questions. Here are a few of them:
(This is a question from a student.) I’ve collected material enough to write a novel but how to go about publishing the work?
First of all you need to find someone who will praise your work. You need to find a literary agent who will approach the
publishers. Often it’s a matter of luck, extreme luck, to find a good literary agent.
Can you comment on cricket?
I enjoyed cricket when I was young. The school closed for the matches as well. But now there’s too much of it everywhere. I can’t take it. It all looks alike.
What’s your opinion about Indian democracy?
Oh, it’s going to be all messy from now on. There’s going to be no peace. However, we should accept this: the crises and troubles are for the good of the country. Even the
Romans were in crisis.
What prompted you to write the latest novel?
 Mmm.. (smiles). Idleness, age, maybe just to pass time at the age of 69 or so! Actually, I never come to the end of a subject. They stay in my mind. I get back to them. On a visit to India, I met some people who had been involved in guerrilla business. They found a way into the recent book.
Many Indians claim you as their own Nobel laureate. Please comment on it.
I accept it. I’m moved. Actually, I grew up in an Indian atmosphere, Indian home.
What have you got to say about the invasion of Iraq?
Shall we leave it for the time being,
please?
Is Western civilisation enhancing?
The word “enhance” has an abstract meaning. We live in a universal civilisation. After the Classical Age, it was Renaissance and then followed the Scientific Age. We inhabit the world we live in. Singing, dancing and dress may be offensive. But we have to take it all. Please remember this: we are living in a mixed civilisation.
How long can the present civilisation go on?
It's a profound question. There are many aspects to it. It can’t. Perhaps it’s already fragmenting.
What are your comments on the movie version of your books?
So far, only one book has been made into a
movie. I’ve not seen it. My wife has seen it and she’s advised me not to.
There’s too much of obsession with the past recently. Do you think shedding history will do good for the present generation?
I don’t know. Without history, no country exists. Without idea and knowledge of our past, we don’t know what we are looking at. It’s a mist. But India is politicising history, which is a shame.
 Do you try to re-root yourself in India?
No, that’s not possible.
Were you a bookworm always?
Not at all. That was not possible. Then I wouldn’t have known anything about the outside world.
Your attitude to history is enigmatic. Is there any irony in it?
There’s no irony at all. History tells us who we are.
A bit weary, Naipaul then sat down to sign his books.
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