The historian digs deeps into archives sourcing as much primary material as possible to recreate events and a world that has gone by. The historian deals with facts; with recorded facts purportedly objective in nature. There is no space for conjecture or speculation. But there is also no space for the individual’s story. The writer uses the outline of historical events to enter into the mind and the hearts of the characters. Fiction delves into the bonds, the relationships, the feelings of those affected by historical processes. It is not what happened but how the writer believes the individual may have responded. Both historian and writer are attempting to recreate a truth; the question is which one does a better job of it?
Panelists : Manreet Sodhi Someshwar, Manu Pillai, Patrick Deville, Tracy Chevalier
Chair : Sunil Sethi