Nitish Sinha is already a name in Hindi fiction writings with two of his novels already hit the charts. Originally a story and playscript writer for years, He is also an Astrology practitioner and presently working on a book on Rigveda. He is also an educationalist and addressed many seminars on vedic education. A Buddha in the study is his first English novel. Presently he is working as a senior officer in Audit and Accounts Department.
The Literature Times: A Buddha in the Study blends suspense with Buddhist philosophy. What inspired you to fuse these two elements in your storytelling?
Nitish Sinha: Well, Whatever I write, suspense always finds a way. I love to have my readers guessing till the last paragraph of my novel. I wonder, even if I wrote about nature or mathematics, you would see the same pattern. When I chose to discuss the age-old concept of Buddhist Philosophy, the name of the monk Mahakashyap automatically came into my mind. His character and journey have all the charm and are suitable for a modern-day epic and suspenseful story. So, the formula works.
The Literature Times: The story is set in Bodhgaya, a city of immense spiritual significance. How did the city’s rich history influence the narrative and your characters’ journey?
Nitish Sinha: Bodhgaya has always been my town. Due to my father’s frequent transfers, I lived in various cities. Out of these, Gaya and Bodhgaya mesmerize me the most. These places are only 8-10 kilometers apart, but their cultures differ radically. Bodhgaya is undoubtedly a city with international recognition, but some layers are still unexplored. When I think of writing about Buddha, this city automatically comes into my mind, and you will indeed find some unexplored layer of it in my book.
The Literature Times: The novel explores themes of belief, myth, and reality. How do you think these themes resonate with readers in today’s world, where skepticism and spiritual curiosity coexist?
Nitish Sinha: We live in a world where our new generation is always skeptical about age-old stories and beliefs. They always doubt our scriptures and reject it as a work of fiction. But when we talk about Buddha, his take on spirituality is always about dispelling the system of belief. His teachings always pass the test of logic. Doubt is inevitable, but as Buddha says, always try to dispel your doubt. It is our privilege that most of the teachings of Buddha are preserved in their purest form. However, many centuries have passed, and so many myths have been created around him. I accept that I have taken a leaf out of them to tell my story.
The Literature Times: You have a background in Hindi fiction, and A Buddha in the Study marks your first major English novel. How did this transition influence your writing style or approach?
Nitish Sinha: Writing ‘A Buddha in the Study’ in English was not a choice, but you may say that it happens automatically. I wrote my first story for a Hindi magazine in 1997, and since then, I have never tried to write anything in English. I have tried many genres, such as story writing, plays, poems, and articles, but I humbly accept that I have never tried a bit in English. I graduated in English Medium, but when I started writing my maiden novel ‘Rakshas’, I chose to write in my mother tongue, which is undoubtedly Hindi. However, when I decided to write about Buddhist philosophy, I had to address a larger audience, so the medium changed.
The Literature Times: The plot involves the kidnapping of a monk, creating an intriguing mixture of mystery and spirituality. How did you approach writing the suspenseful elements while still staying true to Buddhist ideologies?
Nitish Sinha: As a practice, I did not hold my pen till the complete plot engulfed and unfolded in my mind. It was relatively easy to write a simple fiction, but weaving a story around a historical person about whom most of the facts are available online is not easy. On top of that, I was not just writing about his timeline but instead wanted to explore his teachings without compromising the sanctity of his teaching and getting the readers bored. However, the reader’s response is always final and indeed impressive.
The Literature Times: The characters are caught between ancient teachings and modern-day circumstances throughout the novel. How did you balance these two aspects when developing their internal conflicts and decisions?
Nitish Sinha: You said it. The main protagonist of my story, Anand, is caught between these two ends. As a student of History, he has to accept the facts of historical books as accurate. On the other hand, his modern mind opposes them. Our logical mind is always there to contradict things beyond logic. This conflict of mind is the essence of my story.
The Literature Times: As an astrology practitioner and an educationalist, you have diverse interests. How have these fields influenced your writing, particularly the spiritual aspects of A Buddha in the Study?
Nitish Sinha: Yeah, always. As an educationalist, I have to address some true logical minds like teachers and students. But being an astrologer for a long time, I would say that its mathematical, or better to say that its astronomical side attracts me most. For many, both subjects contradict each other, but for me, it helps me understand our ancient scriptures in a better way. There are stories even about Buddha that some predictions regarding his future.
The Literature Times: What do you hope readers take away from A Buddha in the Study, and how do you think the book contributes to conversations around spirituality, philosophy, and contemporary issues?
Nitish Sinha: When I think about Buddha, spirituality, Philosophy, and solutions to contemporary issues become synonymous. Buddha’s approach to life is practical and efficient because he never indulges in discussing irrelevant things. His solution approach is never based on preconceived notions of good and evil. The solution to every problem is available before us, but this is possible only when we approach the issue without prejudice. That is the only correct way, the Buddha way. Thanks.
Buy Book: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0D9SH471M
