Anita Nair is an Indian novelist, best known for her novels, Mistress, A Better Man. She enjoys the reputation of an english writer, being one of the best in the buisness contemporarily.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Anita Nair is an Indian novelist born on 26 January 1966 in Shoranur in Palakkad district in Kerela. She graduated in English literature from NSS College Ottapalam. Nair was working with an advertising agency when she wrote her book called a Satyr of the Subway. This is sold to Har-Anand press. It was this book that won her a fellowship from Virginia Centre for Creative Arts. She has also written a crime series [1]The Times of India She has received multiple awards and her works have been translated into over 31 languages. [2]The Times of India Anita is a progressive writer with a feminist outlook on things, which reflects in major parts of her works.
Family
Husband & Children
Anita has been married to Suresh Prambath. The couple has a son and a daughter.
Anita Nair with daughter
Anita Nair’s son with their pet
Anita Nair with brother Sunil Nair
Religion/Religious Views
Nair is a Hindu, though she is secular and has brought about tales from Quran for children and believes in teaching children to not be scared of Islam. [3]Business Standard
Career
Nair is widely loved and appreciated. She has famous novels like The Better Man (2000) Mistress(2003), to her credit. Her other works like Adventures of Nonu, the Skating Squirell (2007) for her young readers are equally well received and pretty popular too. The author’s second book Ladies Coupe (2001) became the first ever book to be printed by Picador USA and it has been translated in neumorous languages all around the world. Nair’s novel Mistress (2003) has been named a finalist in PEN/Beyond Margins Award in the U.S.A. in 2007 and was also nominated as a finalist for LiBeratuepreis 2007 in Germany. [4]Indiaonline The book was also listed on the Orange Prize long list in the UK.
She has often been called a feminist writer to which Nair says, [5]IndiaToday
When I wrote Ladies Coupe, it was called a feminist novel. It bothered me because what are we talking about here. Feminism never came with applause. It was like a derogatory jab. I was puzzled. So, for me, feminism is something – as a right of every woman to be a woman and not feel lesser for it. Most of the time, women are made to feel you have to be a certain kind of person, then you are a good woman.
Let’s first identify who we are. What does our sex demand of us? Biologically, there is a difference. Unfortunately, we do not acknowledge that. It is not just the male gaze, male way of understanding women. Feminism is about a woman being comfortable about a woman.
Nair has potrayed women at the finest in her works at all times. She isn’t a fan of the categorisation though. She also has a National Film Award Winning screenplay to her credit. Nair’s work draws inflence from vercular spaces, as she says, it amuses and intressts her to see, whats happening in the vernacular literary space and also that most of her characters are drawn from rural setups. [6]The Indian Express
- Anita’s Attic:
This talent scouting by Anita is for keen and aspiring writers who are looking for a guidance and direction. Anita handpics a total of 12 people eager to learn, her literary workshop takes these people through various literary formats etc aimed at helping them identify their shortcomings and get to hone their skills under guidance from Nair herself. For the course fee of 70,000 INR, [7]LLB learners get weekly insight from guest writers, as well as, a through, one on one session at the end of day, from Nair herself.
Views on Censorship
She feels censorship in any form is unwarranted and it is about a greater majority kneeling to a mightier minority of people. She also feels it rips the originality and essence from one’s work. She further goes on to say that if anyone feels offended can choose to ignore and not read the book. She says it is basic human nature that inspite of the book being pulled back it gets downloaded and read. On the whole she seems to be against the culture of censorship. [8]The Times of India
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- She has been honoured by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi for her contribution to Literature and Culture. [10]UNHCR
- She was awarded the women of substance by the Times group for her outstanding contribution in the field of literature. [11]UNHCR
- She has been awarded the JFW [South India’s leading women’s magazine] award for literary excellence. [12]UNHCR
- Nair was chosen as one of the 30 power women in India, by India Today magazine for their roll call of honour. [13]UNHCR
- The author has been awarded with the Arch of Excellence Award by All India Achiever’s Confrence, New Delhi for literature. [15]UNHCR
Favourites
- Author: Ruskin Bond
- Actor: Prakash Raj
A picture shared by Anita on her instagram
Facts and Trivia:
- She is an animal lover and likes to spoil her pets with affection.
Anita Nair’s pet dogs
- Nair is a foodie and is often seen sharing pictures to her instagram of food she enjoys.
A picture shared by Anita Nair on her instagram
References
