Interviewer: What is the inspiration behind “Faces of Humanity”?
Author, Mr. Nitya Rao: It all began with my niece, who would share her poems with me. In response, I would send her a few lines about each poem. She was so impressed that she asked if I could write a short story based on a single line she found on the internet.
For example – They took his father, and only returned a flag. I gave it a try, and she loved it. Soon, she sent me more lines. From those 18 lines, Faces of Humanity was born—a collection of stories that reflect the vast and varied experiences of life.
Interviewer: Tell us about the first story titled Books. In your book Faces of Humanity .
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: The pandemic affected people from all walks of life— physically, mentally, and financially. The affluent managed without much issue, and the upper middle class saw it as a forced vacation. The middle class struggled but got by, supporting one another. But the hardest hit were the lowest in society—the street dwellers and those living in jhopdis (slums). I don’t think anyone truly studied what they went through. Looking back, I wondered about their hardships, and that’s where the story Books was born in Faces of Humanity.
Interviewer: in your book Faces of Humanity is “Crooked Lines” the story of a woman’s struggle?
Author, Mr. Nitya Rao: In part, yes. But it’s also about the pressures parents place on their children —the way parents often impose their aspirations without considering the child’s natural talents. The story is how single artist mother struggles with life and her child not being able to draw a straight line. It’s not just about personal struggle but the weight of parental expectations on the child. I tried to bring out this aspect in Faces of Humanity.
Interviewer: “Going with the Flow” the story from Faces of Humanity, has a bit of a lecture feel. Is that you speaking your mind?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Yes and no. I’m not much of a public speaker, but I know I have to promote my book, hence this interview. Deep down, I do believe children need role models to inspire them. If they are exposed to the right figures and they connect, a spark is lit within them. Going with the Flow is a reflection of that belief. In this story from Faces of Humanity.
Interviewer: in your book Faces of Humanity the story “Kick in the Stomach” takes a turn into love story territory. How did that happen?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: In my book Faces of Humanity, I wanted the challenge of writing a different kind of love story. Thats when Kick in the Stomach was born. So I wove in multiple characters to push the narrative forward, making it more than just a typical love story. The result, I believe, is something unique.
Interviewer: “Toys” seems to be about more than just toys. What inspired you to make it a part of Faces of Humanity?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: You’re right—it’s not really about the toys themselves. It’s about the bond between children. In Faces of Humanity it’s about a story found in many homes, where children treasure their toys and become possessive of them. At its heart, it’s about the relationships formed through play.
Interviewer: Have you had personal experiences with the armed forces, as suggested by your story “Flags”?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Yes, I’ve been to the barracks, and I know four families from the armed forces personally. However, Flags isn’t their story. It’s about the families of those who serve—the sacrifices they make, the pride they carry, and the challenges they face.
Interviewer: “Mother @ 50” is an unusual story. How did it come about?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: I’ve read about elderly women abroad getting pregnant later in life, but I hadn’t come across any stories like that from India. I imagined how such a situation would play out here. How would the family react? How would society perceive it? We tend to look down on families in these circumstances, and I wanted to explore those dynamics in the story.
Interviewer: Tradition is a common theme in literature. What inspired you to explore this subject?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Tradition has evolved with each generation, and I wanted to delve into the aspects that may no longer serve us well today. I focused on the shortcomings of existing traditions and how the younger generation is reimagining them in the current environment.
Interviewer: In your srory Executive Director, what inspired your portrayal of the corporate world?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: The influence of western corporate culture is quite prominent in today’s India. However, my story only touches on the “work from home” dynamic, while the rest could apply to any corporate environment. What really captivated me were the human emotions at play within that setup.
Interviewer: In Ocean, the Ganapati festivities play a role in the story. How did they influence your writing?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Anyone who has lived in Mumbai can’t escape the influence of the Ganapati festivities. It’s a major event that everyone eagerly anticipates, and it’s a time when young people form new friendships. The festival’s significance is so strong that I couldn’t leave it out of my story.
Interviewer: What themes were you trying to explore in Coins?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Coins is a deeply interesting story with layers of meaning. It reflects the importance of planting the seeds of education early in children’s lives, teaching them self-reliance. It also shows that true knowledge goes beyond what we learn in school or college.
Interviewer: In Creator, do you attempt to resolve the debate between Religion and Science?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: I don’t explicitly offer a resolution. Readers will find my perspective within the story. Both science and religion hold important places in life, and debating them can be fruitful if done in the right spirit.
Interviewer: Your story I am Hungry seems to be shaped by your empathy for the poor. How has this affected your writing?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Living in Mumbai exposes you to the full spectrum of life—from extreme wealth to extreme poverty. Observing these contrasts deeply affects me, especially the plight of those living in inhuman conditions through no fault of their own. As a writer, it’s impossible not to reflect this in my work. I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog.
Interviewer: In Fools, you come across as someone willing to take risks and experiment. Is this a reflection of you?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Ha! Yes, I’ve always been a risk-taker. I love experimenting, even when I fail. Whether it’s in cooking, gardening, or other areas, trying something new excites me. I remember as a child, I once read about thieves using hairpins to open locks, and I managed to unlock small ones myself!
Interviewer: Is Familiar Voice based on your own life?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Not directly. It’s more about introverts and honest people and how they’re often perceived or used by others. It’s a reflection on how society views and treats these individuals.
Interviewer: In Heaven, there’s a mentor guiding a young mind. Did you experience something similar growing up?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: I wasn’t as fortunate to have someone sit down and clarify life’s deeper concepts for me when I was young. Or maybe I wasn’t ready to understand them at the time. With Heaven, I wanted to simplify such ideas so that both children and adults could grasp them.
Interviewer: Your story Laugh and Love transports the reader to ancient times. How did you conceive that idea?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: The concept came from the idea of challenging someone to laugh. Ancient kings often posed bizarre challenges, like the ones you hear about with Akbar and Birbal. I fused that with the idea of laughter and found a story emerging. The ending, however, was particularly challenging to write.
Interviewer: Does Add Friends reflect personal experiences?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: Yes, in a way. I had two close friends in school, and I often wonder where they are now. We shared some great times, and I miss them. I’ve been fortunate to have a steady flow of friends throughout my life, but I still wish I could reconnect with those early friendships.
Interviewer: Children feature prominently in many of your stories in Faces of Humanity. What draws you to them?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: You’re absolutely right. I’ve always had a soft spot for children. Even as a child myself, unknown kids would approach me on buses or trains. I think it’s because I still feel young at heart, and that connection naturally finds its way into my stories in the book Faces of Humanity.
Interviewer: Tragedy seems to be a recurring element in your work in the book Faces of Humanity. Can you explain why?
Author, Mr Nitya Rao: I believe tragedy is an inseparable part of life. It shapes who we become. Overcoming tragedy makes us stronger, much like failure is an essential stepping stone to success. Life’s challenges are what help us grow. Naturally it finds its way into my stories in the book Faces of Humanity.