Where It Has Ended, I’m Surprised the Ram Mandir Issue Has: William Dalrymple | Exclusive on Jaipur LitFest

In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, renowned historian and novelist William Dalrymple expressed his amazement that the Ram Mandir debate has concluded where it has. Speaking against the background of the February 1–5, 2019 event, Dalrymple is the co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Dalrymple said that while the LitFest is planned a few days after the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, it would be addressed but not take center stage. It is crucial that writers talk about the problems. These topics are still open for public discussion in India. We often act in this way. We’ll carry it out in an uncensored and transparent manner,” he said.

He said that the Indian story of the fabled Silk Connection was forgotten and that it was amazing to see India resurrect the historic sea connection between India and Europe. “In the early ages, the Red Maritime served as the primary maritime route for commerce between Egypt and Kerala. It’s amazing to see this very evident marine communication reopen and take on fresh life as a historian,” he said.

THE RAM TEMPLE perspective: “It’s critical to place these kinds of incidents within their historical perspective. The world’s best historians are here to debate all of these topics. Thirty-five years ago, this was one of the first stories I covered. I visited Lucknow to do an interview with the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was only a Lucknow MP at the time. I had never interviewed an Indian politician before, till that very moment. Since then, as a young journalist, I covered the whole Ayodhya agitation. It astonished me that it ended in that way. It’s been fascinating to see what has transpired. Since there are so many other places in Jaipur, I don’t believe this will take over the city. We are not here to provide a political analysis of the direction the nation is taking. We have some of the best historians and authors. Though the globe is larger than one problem, it will undoubtedly play a role, he added.

OLD SEA ROUTE
Dalrymple expressed his fascination with the idea of reviving the ancient maritime route that connected India and Europe. “I’m not an authority in geopolitics. As a historian who has researched this, I can tell whether these paintings in Bombay’s caves on hilltops are from Greek or Roman vessels that are coming from the Red Sea. This afternoon, I came across an ancient Farsi inscription and a Chinese inscription written by pilgrims who were visiting the Kanheri caves. These travelers were often accompanying merchants on this maritime route.

Dalrymple visited the well-known Kanheri caves when he was in Mumbai. “I actually came from the Kanheri caves to get here. The monks who constructed them were often supported by the traders who frequented that particular route. Many people are unaware of how extensive the sea route was that connected Kerala to Gujarat and Bombay to the rest of the world. Compared to the Silk Route, which was considered the ultimate route, it was much more significant. That was due in part to its romantic appeal—camels traversing the Hindu Kush—but it was also actively pushed by the Chinese government. The Indian story has been lost, in part, he added.

ABOUT THE JAIPUR LITFEST: THEME, GUESTS & DISCUSSION TOPICS
“We have an incredible lineup of speakers,” he added in reference to the literary event. I believe that the accomplishments the squad has made year after year are taken for granted. We’ve been doing this for the last 20 years. However, there isn’t a single event worldwide that brings together the winners of the Booker Prize, Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Sahitya Academy Prize, or whomever the newest great name in Yale or Oxford is. Everything about it is essentially free. You may listen to the world’s brightest thinkers for a very small fee. The best historians, writers, poets, composers, and scientists – all for free. Simply visit Jaipur. It’s a special and amazing thing.

Providing more details on the lineup, Dalrymple expressed his enthusiasm for Gulzar, Avi Shlaim, Catherine Randall, Damon Galgut, Amia Srinivasan, Simon Schama, and Antony Loewenstein. “A fantastic list of individuals has also been released by my colleague Namita Gokhale. Learning non-English languages is her passion. This year, she is focusing on the interactions between South Indian Bhasha literature and the ancient Sanskrit metropolis of Southeast Asia, which extended all the way to Bali. The region is heavily influenced by Indian culture, he said.

The emphasis would also be on the Israel-Hamas conflict, he said. “I have a great deal of investment in it. I have deep feelings for the Middle East since I have lived there for a long period. Additionally, we have opinions from all points of view on a range of topics, including a movie like Oppenheimer, which became quite popular earlier this year.

We have esteemed Jewish speakers from different perspectives to discuss the Israel-Hamas issue. Among those who support Israel is Simon Schama, a remarkable advocate for Israel’s counteroffensive against Hamas. On the other side, notable Arab writer Antony Loewenstein and progressive Jewish writer Avi Shlaim will be present. The topic will be the subject of an amazing discussion, he said.