Interview with Naman Saraiya

An avid blogger, a stickler when it comes to editing copies, a dreamer who writes on love, life and everything in between and an experimental photographer. That’s Naman Saraiya for you. He loves each of these roles and hopes to reach a stage where he can say it's a perfect balance between all these. Ambitious and a multi-tasker is what we shall like to add to this long list of epithets that best describe him.

The stories he contributed for Urban Shots and Down the Road are about loving and losing and then loving once again. They are about starting somewhere, deviating and getting back to where it all started. The short stories talk about coming back to the person you love, sometimes because you are destined to, and on other times when you don’t let anything come in between. Know about what Naman loves and why he feels love is often a misunderstood and misinterpreted emotion.

 

Thank you for your kind words. But, at the outset of my answer, I would like to clear out a few things. I read on and off, from magazines and blogs - but I like reading about everything, not just about love. There's a misconception about my blog being dreamy and all about love. That, I believe is untrue. Most of my posts are timely and situational, some random, but not all are about love. However, I believe I can say more than one thing when writing about relationships, considering it brings out different characteristics and thoughts. And, love - well, it's a strong emotion, often misunderstood and misinterpreted.

How did editing for The Tossed Salad (a website that intents to bring change in the perceived definition of lifestyle in India) happen?

Well, I joined Tossed Salad almost a year ago and decided to take up writing for music and food. That grew with time and I did quite a few pieces in quick succession. As that happened, I also got absorbed greatly in the functioning and brainstorming and then I was invited by Sahil Khan (Founder of TheTossedSalad.com) to join as the Editor. That helped me greatly and also offered a platform to connect with more people. That further helped us generate more content and read larger audiences. It's been a great experience and well, I think we're achieving success in changing the perception of lifestyle - bit by bit.

With respect to food, music and fashion how have you seen a change in the sensibilities of people in Pune?

Well, Pune is opening up and that too for the better. There's been a notable change since I stepped in here, some three years ago. With respect to food, there's a been a rise in the number of both, smaller joints as well as the fancy, exotic food places. As for fashion, well, there's been a growth in the experimental sector considering the students, who comprise most of the city's population. As for music, there are a few fantastic venues, High Spirits to begin with and the city is always welcoming to all forms of music - be it popular or niche and the Barardi NH7 Weekender last winter is the best example of the change.

 

A little about the short stories you have written for Down The Road and Urban Shots.

 

Both my stories, in Urban Shots and Down The Road as well, are at the front love stories. But, if you look a little deeper and think over them, they are more than just that. They talk of the journey of the male protagonist as experienced in different situations and with different women. It's about how the male protagonist thinks and reacts - in different situations and settings, towards different people. It's more than just a love story.


The one in Urban Shots, titled Trial and Error is a love story that stands the test of time, distance and technology. Also, it's greatly inspired, at least situationally, from a real life experience. The one in Down The Road, titled One Bump Does No Harm, is absolutely fictional and talks of the sacrifices and situations we are faced with in relationships - and sometimes in difficult times. Saying more, would be giving away more than needed.
 

I'd like to believe it's prose. But, I began writing poetry a while back - but it's more inclined on the abstract side, so it's difficult to connect with for readers. But, I'd like to reach a stage where I can say it's a perfect balance of both.

Studies, writing, editing, poems, blogging, how do you make time for all this?

There's no conscious thought where I sit down and chalk out time tables and schedules for my day. It just seems to happen and well, it seems to be working well for now. Of course, the hours and work timings get erratic at times but I try not to compromise any one thing in lieu of the other. So, as long as it's working fine, I don't seem to have a problem.