Down The Rabbit Hole

Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvitalks about his latest book a profound meditation on love, friendship and life itself.

Why did you write The Rabbit & The Squirrel?

It was a gift for a friend who was leaving the country; it was something to remember our shared time.

If it was a private gift, what made you publish it?

Accidental good luck. I read it out to an artist friend, Stina Wirsén, who offered to illustrate it, and a private thing found a more public form. The book was published by Hemali Sodhi at Penguin Random House—a close friend and ally who also worked on The Last Song of Dusk. This book was entirely a consequence of friendship.

The fable as a form has timeless appeal. What life lessons does The Rabbit & The Squirrel offer?

To remember there are few equals of our heart, and imagination; if we are lucky to meet them, then hold on to them. Love knows no form, gender, age.

Is your latest book at least partially autobiographical?

Perhaps!

Why haven’t you published a book for a decade? What’s kept you busy?

I head an arts foundation in Goa. I design houses to pay my bills. I write little pieces and do photography. The idea of being defined by what one does, does not appeal to me.