Intensive reading leads to writing

In conversation with Muneeza Shamsie

Muneeza Shamsie who is also known as ‘nee Habibullah’ is the author of literary history, entitled ‘Hybrid Tapestries’: The Development of Pakistani Literature in English (Oxford University Press 2017). She is the incumbent esteemed member of the advisory committee of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature and served on its jury in 2013. She has also served as Regional Chairperson (Eurasia) of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize from 2009–2011. Moreover, she has also served on several literary juries in Pakistan, including The Patras Bokhari Award and the inaugural Zeenat Haroon Rashid Writing for Women. Muneeza has also edited three well-known anthologies of Pakistani English literature, including ‘And the World Changed’. Shamsie is a resident of Karachi and has contributed a range of remarkable writings from essays to academic publications for the Pakistani press.

Is this in your genes?

I don’t know whether it is in my genes but everyone in my family loves books. My mother’s first language was Urdu, while my father’s first language was English. So the affiliation was not only with books, but it was the love for words. The passion for understanding and using the correct word, particularly in the right scenario. Of course, it is always surroundings that help in the character building of a person. And I believe it has made a difference.

What inspired you to choose your career?

Marriage brought me into this career! Had I not been married I would never have chosen this career. I enjoyed a great deal of time just like that, and then my friends insisted that I should make it more productive by utilising it in writing, and getting them published. So, I remember I began my writing career interviewing my cousin who was working on a film project and I randomly asked him a few questions and submitted it to two well-known newspapers. To my surprise, it was published in a newspaper the very next morning, and the publication house liked it overwhelmingly. I never really looked back and started loving journalism.

Was your mother the inspiration or your passion was driven from somewhere else?

I think it was the sound of my mother’s typewriter which inspired me — yes, it came from my mother. Although at that time I had very little idea about writing, I believe it was a major force which drove me to settle down in this field! But again, the main factor which I find significant in bringing me to this level of excellence is of course discovering my own taste and selection in terms of reading. My mother never insisted us on reading certain genres and not others.

Tell us about the first book that made an impression on you and why?

I still have a copy of ‘The Water Babies’ by Charles Kingsley. I was so much fascinated by the idea reflected in the book which was to treat others the way you want to be treated. The moment I read it for the first time back in my childhood, the idea; its expression had simply blown my mind away, and I personally made it a part of my life. Somehow, this little phrase or idea was really important to me as a child.

What do you hate the most?

Food. I am very diet conscious.

Who would be your spirit animal?

I think it is a dog.

Your favourite character from Kamila’s novel?

I think one of the characters that I adore the most from her novel is ‘Burnt Shadows’. Keeping in mind the protagonist is Chinese. His struggle for understanding various cultures and trying to adapt to those cultures is something incredibly awesome. I think it shows mastery, miraculously written! I love the journey that each and every character in her novels carry. She describes those journeys of self, exceptionally well. It actually is very difficult to name one, there are so many.

A favourite vacation spot in Pakistan and why?

Hunza in Gilgit. It is such a serene place. The air, lakes, mountains and of course the people are unbelievable! I truly had a wonderful experience of all these elements which made Hunza my favourite vacation spot in Pakistan.

If you were to advocate one change, what would that be?

I would like to promulgate the message of showing respect to everybody irrespective of their race, colour and any other identity.