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RJ Tanisha in Conversation with Dr. Devika Rangachari

·26 min·2 clips

Dr. Devika Rangachari explains why writer's block is a myth and how to force your brain to work.

The episode begins with RJ Tanisha introducing Dr. Devika Rangachari on World Book Day. Dr. Rangachari shares how she started reading historical fiction in school and realized history is essentially a story. She explains that her doctoral and postdoctoral research focused on women who were written out of history, which led her to write historical fiction for young adults to put these women back into the narrative. Dr. Rangachari describes her writing process, noting she prefers background noise and rejects the idea of needing a perfect quiet space. She debunks the myth of writer's block, comparing it to writing an exam under time pressure. The conversation shifts to how she selects historical characters, emphasizing her focus on the late ancient or early medieval period in India, particularly figures like Rani Lakshmibai. Dr. Rangachari argues that reading about powerful historical women can foster respect and improve gender equality in the present. She discusses the importance of reading for children, stating it improves both IQ and EQ, and advises parents to lead by example. Dr. Rangachari mentions her upcoming books, including 'Queen of Water' about a Chola dynasty figure and a book on women in ancient Kashmir. She recommends five children's books, such as 'Moeen and the Monster' by Anushka Ravishankar and 'Charlotte's Web' by E.B. White. Dr. Rangachari shares that her favorite books to write were 'Queen of Ice' about a 10th-century Kashmiri queen and 'The Train to Tanjore' based on her father's experiences in the Quit India movement. She concludes by urging listeners to make reading a daily habit, calling it as essential as breathing.

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