IN HER WORDS

Bazaar India speaks to five female authors and poets who are are celebrating womanhood, championing individuality, and self-love.

- SHUBHANGI JINDAL

KARUNA EZARA PARIKH

Author of The Heart Asks Pleasure First and Where Stories Gather

Music and lyrics, especially from the rock and roll genre, introduced Karuna Ezara Parikh to the world of rhyme and rhythm, fostering a deep love for poetry. Moving from the fast-paced metropolis of Delhi to the slower rhythm of Kolkata shaped her experiences profoundly. Kolkata, with its artistic vibe and unhurried pace, provided the author with the space and inspiration to create. "A different person might find freedom in a New York, or an island somewhere, but at the time I moved here, seven or eight years ago, it was what I needed, which gave me immense room to create," says Karuna. This shift was pivotal, as it gave her the freedom and environment necessary to write her novel.

According to Karuna, distinguishing between writing from the heart and crafting content for social media can be challenging. As a poet, she continually questions herself, seeking truth amidst the noise. "So partly our work as storytellers is to also look hard in the mirror, and then hold that mirror up for others," she says.

The multi-hyphenate's creative endeavours span across various mediums, from novels to poetry, activism to modelling, and TV hosting. While she initially viewed these roles as distractions, they have undoubtedly enriched her writing process. Each experience adds depth and perspective, contributing to the layers of her storytelling. "My job as a writer is to make you want to read what I am putting on the page, even when it's hard. Even when it's grotesque. If you want to continue, my job is done." Karuna aims to communicate themes of love, identity, longing, fragility, and human relationships. Whether through novels, poems, articles, or social media captions, her goal is to evoke beauty and captivate readers.