“Writing For Me Is Liberation”: Sudeepta Mohapatra Sarangi, Author Of The Month, November 2018

Sudeepta Mohapatra Sarangi believes in speaking up for what she believes in. Her feminist husband chose her, she says, because she had made clear that unlike the norm, she wouldn’t tolerate her parents being treated any lesser than her husband’s parents.  

The Women’s Web team every month identifies three contributors whose work has really resonated with readers, who have brought something new and impactful to our community. This November 2018, Sudeepta Mohapatra Sarangi is one of our featured Authors of the Month.

Sudeepta thinks that for the issues she feels strongly about, and want to do something but finds herself helpless, writing becomes empowerment. You can read Sudeepta Mohapatra Sarangi’s articles here at Women’s Web. 

Writing for me is liberation. The best way to express myself; many-a-times, to vent out my frustration. For issues, I strongly feel about and want to do something, but find myself helpless, writing becomes empowerment.

What do you enjoy reading? Does any of it help your writing?

I read both fiction and non-fiction. Biographies are my favourites. I regularly follow politics and read about social issues. Reading fiction develops my imagination and definitely helps me in exploring more and writing better. A few authors who have influenced me are Ruskin Bond, R. K. Narayan, Paulo Coelho, Maya Angelou & Jhumpa Lahiri.

When it comes to writing on/for/about women, what questions and issues drive you the most?

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Gender inequality and patriarchy! All problems of women stem from these two issues, in one way or the other. I believe that the social construct of gender inequality, in fact has its roots in patriarchy, especially in the Indian societies.

Could you narrate an issue or incident in your life which you think was gender related, and you handled it in a way that has made you proud.

We are only two sisters in my family, with no brother. I have grown up watching many of our relatives and neighbours making my parents (especially, my mother) feel deprived because they don’t have a son. This was actually the seed from which the feminism within me has developed over time. So much that while talking to the prospective grooms for my ‘arranged marriage’, I would spell out to them, right from the beginning of the conversation, that unlike the norm, in no manner, whatsoever, will I tolerate my parents being treated any lesser than the groom’s parents. Coming from a semi-conservative middle-class family, even my parents disliked this barefaced attitude. However, the same approach became the reason why my feminist husband chose to marry me!

What are the things you would like to write about in the future for Women’s Web?

I would love to write on any and every issue that affects the status of women in our society, be it from within the home and family or the world outside.

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