Noted journalist-authorSathya Saran is the
former editor of Femina and
the current Consulting Editor of Harper Collins. In Goa for the Empower initiative
by Think Geek Media, Sathya launched the book ‘Knot For Keeps: Writing The
Modern Marriage’, at Andores Resort & Spa, Calangute and today, July 28,
2018, she will be presenting a `How to Look Like Miss India’ master class on
‘Confidence is the key to Success’ with a focus on grooming, speech,
communication and style at Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Panjim,
from 3pm onwards, followed by a meet and greet the author session at 1930 Vasco
from 8pm onwards.
Edited by Sathya Saran, ‘Knot For Keeps...’
is a slim anthology that consists of a collection of stories and perspectives
on marital life by different writers on the evolving nature of marriages. The
writers in the book include Sharanya Manivannan, Chitra Viraraghavan, Rita
Mukherjee, Krishna Shastri Devulapalli, Prasoon Joshi, Noor Zaheer, Kalyan Ray,
Harimohan Paravu, Deeksha Nagar, Modhurima Sinha, Abha Iyengar, Wendell
Rodricks, Milan Vohra and Vijay Nagaswami.
Speaking about her decision to edit the
book, Sathya says, “It is a compilation of writing. I was offered the chance of
editing an anthology on marriage, and found it attractive, especially since the
subject was evercontemporary and I had never worked on an anthology before.”
Working with Femina as an editor for 12
years, Sathya has come across strong women in different associations. She
explains how it has influenced her perspective of marriage: “It has shown me
the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, and keeping myself as close
to who I am, instead of becoming a label or designation.”
Each writer has brought in a different
perspective to marriage through their writing. Sathya sheds light on the
themes: “There is a wide variety, though not every aspect of marriage can be
covered in a small collection like this. Inter-state, inter-community
marriages, long distance marriages, the cost of a runaway marriage, why modern
marriages run into trouble so easily, counselling, rituals and their relevance,
illness and its effect on marriage, when opposites marry, and the changing
perspective towards marriage are some of the issues in the book. There are
light-hearted treatments and serious essays,; there’s also a poem by Prasoon
Joshi. It is an interesting mix, even if I say so myself.”
Noted Goa based fashion designer and writer Wendell Rodricks too
has contributed to the book. “It talks about the issues that he has faced in
formalising his long term relationship with his partner, Jerome. It is written
from the heart, and is both eye-opening for many, and a moving piece of writing.”
Sathya is also the author of seven books including biographies
on Guru Dutt, SD Burman and Jagjit Singh. She has also written ‘Night Train and
Other Stories’, which was republished as ‘The Dark Side’, ‘My Daughter My
Shakti’ and ‘The Legacy of Love. Fathers and Daughters’.
Sharing about her own marriage, Sathya mentions the changes she
has noticed in marriages around her: “I have been married since my teens, which
is a long way back. I think from my parents’ generation to mine, there was
already a change. I, for one, did not take marriage for granted, and realised
that like friendship, one has to work at keeping the partnership alive and
fresh. Today, I think there is little patience; impatience sets in with its
accompanying anger and resentment before a marriage has time to mature, and the
partners have time to adjust to each other.”
While
Sathya loves coming to Goa, she does need a reason for doing so. This time she
had a strong reason and that is imparting knowledge through a master class.
“This is the first master class. I have conducted such classes elsewhere, for
other groups of young people and for working women. I am looking forward to an
interaction, an understanding of what participants wish to know, skills they
wish to hone. I keep the content fluid enough to work for different groups,”
she concludes.