In a recent episode of Bloomberg's The Big Take podcast, celebrated author Amitav Ghosh reflects on what he sees as India's deviation from its founding ideals. Ghosh, whose novels interweave meticulous historical research with fiction, discusses his latest book Ghost-Eye, which spans India and the United States and explores themes of past lives and political disillusionment.
Ghosh argues that India has lost its way, drifting from the pluralistic, secular vision of its founders toward a more divisive and authoritarian path. He points to the erosion of democratic institutions, the rise of religious nationalism, and the silencing of dissent as key indicators. The conversation also touches on capitalism's role in exacerbating inequality and the environmental cost of unchecked development.
Ghost-Eye serves as a vehicle for these critiques, blending the fantastical with the political. Ghosh explains that the novel's exploration of reincarnation is a metaphor for the cyclical nature of history and the haunting persistence of the past. The book is, in part, a response to the current moment in India, where the author sees a nation grappling with its identity.
Ghosh also shares personal reflections on his own past lives, a concept he approached with skepticism until research for the novel led him to unexpected revelations. The interview offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of India's most prominent literary voices, who remains deeply concerned about his homeland's trajectory.
Listeners are left with a sobering assessment of India's present and a call to remember the values that once defined the world's largest democracy.