THE WANDERER WORDSMITH

A novelist, poet, brave-heart activist, humanist, physician, a rebel – someone who is never afraid of speaking her heart out – the world knows about Taslima Nasrim for a long, now. While Taslima has been at the center of thousands of debates, discussions, heated arguments, and political discourse on various international platforms for more than decades, TW in an exclusive interview, attempts to explore Taslima Nasrin as a wanderer of the world.

We would like to take this opportunity to get to know a Taslima Nasrin we don’t read much about – the traveler Taslima.

Although I have not written any travel stories exclusively, my autobiography “Ami bhalo nei, tumi bhalo theko priyo desh” has many of my travel experiences across Europe during my exile period there.

Travel has always been my passion. But, at the same time, I always wanted to come back to my country.

I was doing very important work back in Bangladesh. I was working on building up a united society which is secular, a society that believes in science, equal rights to women, prioritizes humanity and democracy. I believe, given the socio political situation of my country during that time, this kind of movement was very much necessary. I am a writer and I wanted to bring about a change through my writing – I was never part of any political party. The fact that thousands of my readers, mostly the younger generation, draw inspiration from my books and change their perspectives to life – have kept me motivated and kept me going.

At that point of time when I had to leave my country I always thought I would come back to resume my work, to take care of my ailing parents. I have received many honors, international awards in life. But, all these could never put a stop to my longing to come back for my motherland.

Has it always been work related trips or the traveler in you was able to travel exclusively?

I loved travelling right from my childhood days.

I have traveled to various countries to receive awards, to deliver speeches etc. Since I always liked traveling, whenever I visited any city I made sure to look around and explore the surroundings. I remember asking the organizers often to suggest nearby places to scout out. I made sure to keep an additional few days in almost all the seminar trips.

Is there really “ no country for women” ?

Travel for me has always been experiencing the lifestyle and ethnicity of the place. Yes, I would see the famous tourist attractions, monuments etc, but I always prefer to go to the interior, interact with the locals, eat the local cuisine, and observe the life of indigenous people. I have traveled to many small villages and the countryside of Europe.

Talking about funny experiences, I found it very amusing when sometimes, people used to recognize me out of nowhere, in those small European villages; probably because there were a few stories on my exile in the local newspapers.

There are so many small incidents that it is very difficult to remember. I always felt excited about local cuisines. I would go the extra mile to enjoy some provincial foods. I also remember walking miles to explore a locality or simply enjoy walking on the streets in Paris, Berlin, Stockholm. I guess that is one reason, the way I am familiar with the streets of Paris or Berlin, I still don’t know Dhaka, Kolkata or Delhi.

Your favourite country/city and what makes it close to your heart?

I love different places for different reasons as each one of them has their one singularity. London, Paris, Germany, USA and South America –every country has their unique beauty and personality, if I may say so.

We know from your stories that you are a foodie. What is your favorite cuisine?

As I mentioned earlier, I am always ready to go the extra mile to enjoy local exotic cuisine. When it comes to food, interestingly, the first name that comes to mind is China. I always loved Chinese cuisines. I have traveled across North to South China and enjoyed all kinds of dishes there.

Ofcourse, like everyone else I enjoy both French and Italian dishes whenever I visit those countries.

Where have you all traveled in India so far?

I have not been to many places in India. I came to India first in the 1980s when I went to visit Kashmir. I have been to MP, Bihar, Rajasthan and also Kerala. Recently, I went to Khajuraho and really enjoyed the place.

I wanted to see Ajanta-Ellora also, a couple of years back. Unfortunately, due to an agitation against me, I had to come back from the airport.

Is there any country /city that you have not been to so far and you really wish to travel to in future?

I have a very interesting realization on this subject – have I seen too much in this life? Strangely, in the recent past, I have found the intensity of amusement of traveling to a place of natural beauty is not quite the same as it used to be in the past. My first experience of The Ring of Kerry – the heavenly scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland where on one side there are mighty hills and the deep blue sea on the other, the mesmerizing beauty of Scottish Highland that made me cry with joy, watching breathlessly the Mount Vesuvius volcano from the glass panes of my hotel room in Italy, or the feelings of the first winter snow on your face in Kashmir – all these experiences have given me joy that cannot be described in words. But, to my own surprise, whenever I see any of these or similar locations again; the same exhilaration is not quite there. Perhaps, I would say, it is better to leave certain things unseen. That keeps the excitement alive.

However, if you ask me, I would definitely want to go to Galapagos Island in Ecuador. The mystery of the island associated with Darwin’s famous Theory of Natural Selection’, where the animals are so distinct and unique from the rest of the world – have always attracted me.

Another destination in my wish-list is Tasmanian Island -the land of cleanest air, best scenery and the richest history. Here also the flora fauna are so much unique from the mainland.

As someone who has faced the worst nightmare in her own country followed by unfortunate situations which made you leave Bangladesh and live in different countries facing all kinds of challenges – and all these because you wanted to write what you felt- because you were compassionate and never wanted to compromise these qualities! Do you dream of a world where people would, one day, rise above all the divisive factors of life – a world where there’s nothing called ‘Nishiddho’ anymore?

I don’t really know whether we will have a society like this or not. But, that is my goal in life –all my struggles are aimed at achieving this, one day. I know we won’t get there in my lifetime. But should I not fight then? Haven’t we humans moved on from being barbaric, killing animals for sports, torturing women and weaker sections of the society, Catholic inquisition? So, there is progress. And if there is progress in human civilization, then why should not we make a world one day, where there are equal rights for women, where there is no religious bigotry or hypocrisy?

You may call it a dream …but I would love to fight till the end and continue my writing for the same. Who knows, one day we may actually reach there!