<div>H<strong>ow did the idea of writing this book come to you?</strong><br />When I was growing up in Mumbai in the 1980s and 1990s, the Shiv Sena was growing into a major political phenomenon. It drew attention to itself with its violent tactics, and its leader, Bal Thackeray, came across as someone who was colourful, charismatic and highly controversial. That he evoked extreme emotions — some people liked him, others loved to hate him — and was the de facto ruler of India’s commercial capital regardless of who was in power created a lot of curiosity in my mind about him and his party. But when, as someone deeply interested in public affairs, I set out to study this phenomenon, I found there was a serious shortage of material about it. <br /><br />The Sena had had a very controversial time since its founding in 1966, but there was no history of the party written in English, and the story of its leader wasn’t well-documented either. I thought such a significant chapter in contemporary Indian history, a chapter that changed Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Hindutva politics in the country forever, ought to be recorded, examined and analysed.<br /> <br /><strong>How difficult was it to put the book together? What was the kind of interviews and research you had to undertake while writing this book?</strong><br />I interviewed all the top Shiv Sena leaders and also leaders of rival parties who had taken on the Sena. Bal Thackeray and his party evoke strong reactions, both for and against, and it was necessary to get all versions of the story. Plus, I went through newspapers and periodicals of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. Going through the dusty old files was a remarkably enriching and educative experience.<br /> </div><table cellspacing="10" cellpadding="10" border="0" align="right" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><img align="middle" height="232" width="150" src="/image/image_gallery?uuid=b83d5b0d-da00-4f3e-808f-f75098348ea0&groupId=520986&t=1359376495667" alt="" /></td></tr><tr><td>Bal Thackeray & The Rise Of The Shiv Sena <br />By Vaibhav Purandare<br />Roli Books <br />Pages: 288<br />Price: Rs 350</td></tr></tbody></table><div><strong>You have written biographies so far. Does a career as a journalist offer an advantage in writing non-fiction/biographies? </strong><br />Journalism is the first draft, but it does prepare you to write the later drafts that are history. It also helps that as a journalist, you are constantly engaged with current affairs. In addition, journalism teaches you how to make a subject easily accessible to the reader.<br /> <br /><strong>Tell us a bit about your writing habits. When and where do you write?</strong><br />Writing is 1 per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration. I juggle my career as a journalist with my writing career, so I work on my books in the time I get out of the workplace. Which doesn’t mean too much time, but then if you have got to do something, you have got to do it.<br /> <br /><strong>What’s your energy drink?</strong><br />It’s so non-alcoholic that some people are saying that without alcoholic content in it, I would remain ‘incomplete’ as a writer.<br /> <br /><strong>What makes a book a really good read or a bestseller?</strong><br />A book must engage the reader, draw him or her in, make him/her interested in the story that’s being told and be crisp and comprehensive at the same time.<br /> <br /><strong>What's the hardest thing about being a writer?</strong><br />Writing!<br /> <br /><strong>How did you find a publisher for your (first) book? From manuscript to printed format...</strong><br />I called up a publisher and said I had written a book on so-and-so. Fortunately, the first one I called was happy with the manuscript and said yes.<br /> <br /><strong>What are you reading now?</strong><br />Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (It has nothing to do with the fact that the writer’s last name happens to be spelt in the same way that the subject-matter of my book).<br /><br />(Compiled by Sanjitha Rao Chaini)<br />businessworldbooks (at) gmail (dot) com</div>
