An Assistant Professor and a Visual Anthropologist at Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (UG), Pune, Dr. Lopamudra’s main area of research include - history and oral traditions, rural and urban culture and media. Her work is mostly based on ethnographic explorations and the survival of traditions amidst changing perspectives and times. Her academic publications in relation to folk medium finding a voice in mainstream Indian media has been published in many international journals, including - SAARC Journal (SAARC Centre, Sri Lanka), Indian Folklore Research Journal (of National Folklore Support Centre, India), Loukik (India) and Heritage and Us and Folklore and Folkloristics (e-journals) - amidst others. With over 12 years of experience as a journalist, she has worked with leading Indian English dailies, including - The Indian Express, The Times of India, The Statesman, Sakal Times, and also Citadel, New Global Indian (NGI) and Heritage India magazines - focusing on social and cultural issues as well as heritage conservation and history.
Lopamudra’s first work of fiction (short stories, English) - It Happened One Night and Other Stories was published by Kolkata-based Nandimukh Samsad, at the Kolkata International Book Fair, 2007. Based on her experiences across the nation pertaining to the disciplines of anthropology and journalism, the book was followed by a review in The Statesman (2007, June), comparing the maiden effort with the likes of O. Henry with reference to storytelling. With nearly 10 years of experience as a teacher at various undergraduate and postgraduate colleges in India, including Wigan and Leigh College, Pune, ISB&M, Pune, Ranade Institute-Pune University, West Bengal State University and Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, she is also a member of the Board of Editors for four international journals related to Anthropology, Sociology, Culture Studies and Archaeology.
She can be contacted at:
Email: lopamudramaitra@gmail.com
Here we get to know her more closer:
Nainika: Hello Mam, if I ask you to define yourself in one word, what word it would be?
Dr. Lopamudra: Optimistic
Nainika: Being into so many things, how did you manage them all together?
Dr. Lopamudra: Dedication and willingness to complete a task very close to my heart
Nainika: What motivates you to write?
Dr. Lopamudra: The love for painting with words
Nainika: According to you, what is the strongest and weakest part of your writing skills?
Dr. Lopamudra: Strongest- the world is full of stories- one just needs to look for it. Weakest- probably never having enough time to look for all the stories around myself.
Nainika: What are the specific qualities you think if writers include in themselves, they could win hearts?
Dr. Lopamudra: Be a little different from the bandwagon
Nainika: How different is Crumpled Voices-2 from other anthologies hitting the market?
Dr. Lopamudra: Good collection from a variety of authors from varied age groups
Nainika: Please throw some light on your story “Lesson Learned” in Crumpled Voices-2.
Dr. Lopamudra: Inspired by a true incident
Nainika: Who all are the lead characters and which one your favorite?
Dr. Lopamudra: The main character of course
Nainika: Is your story inspired from real life, or is it a pure imagination?
Dr. Lopamudra: Real-life inspiration from a metropolitan city hospital (name of city, hospital changed on purpose)
Nainika: How is Crumpled Voices-2 different from other anthologies that are and are going to be in market?
Dr. Lopamudra: The variety offered is an edge by itself
Nainika: How is experience with Gargi Publishers?
Dr. Lopamudra: Timeliness, pleasant and professional
Nainika: Would you like to give some message to our readers?
Dr. Lopamudra: The answer to most questions lies all around you- just like the many stories. One just needs to have an eye to discover them
(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers.)
My dear Lopa,
ReplyDeleteI hope I get to your story in this anthology and the others too!
I am happy to count U as one of my most sincere & honest students.
Best wishes for your research into folklore and your teaching.
Joseph M. Pinto, Pune, India.
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