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‘Not just a victory for Colombo middle-class, English-speaking people’

01 Nov 2022

  • 2022 Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka on the days after the award, his controversial speech, and plans
It had all the makings of a red carpet event – the rock bands, Dua Lipa, and even royalty, but what was most exciting was hearing Sri Lankan Shehan Karunatilaka’s name being called: “…and the Booker Prize 2022 goes to The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka.” Lauded by the judges for its audacity and ambition and described as “a rollercoaster journey through life and death,” the book is a searing satire amidst the chaos of the Sri Lankan civil war. Kaleidoscope caught up with Shehan in London after the adrenaline rush of the awards to talk about what unfolded that day behind the scenes, his speech, and his plans post-Booker. Following are excerpts:  How are you feeling, now that it has been a few days since the big night?  Obviously, I am buzzing because I really can’t believe this; I was sitting in Colpetty, writing a crazy book that I never dreamed would make the Booker. But I took it one step at a time. I heard about the longlist during the “aragalaya”, sitting in a petrol queue, when we were all basically in queues for everything. Then, there was a sense of relief. So I think: “My book is going to be published in the UK.” And then I hear the shortlist and my mind says: “Oh super, I’m on the shortlist; I’m very happy with that.” Don’t forget, there were some tremendous authors on the shortlist. After that, it’s all a whirlwind. I walk up, get my award, and then I am whisked away for a live interview, and for the next few days, it’s interview after interview and photoshoots. But it still doesn’t feel real.   What do you remember most from when your name was called? The shortlisted authors had been at events all week, which was quite stressful. We did talks at Bath, Cheltenham, and London bookshops, so Booker night was not as stressful. I just had to dress up in a suit, show up, eat, drink, and chat. It is only stressful if your name is read out.  And you met the Queen Consort?  I did – and I said “hi” to Dua Lipa too. The ceremony was in the Roundhouse where I remember going as a young man 20 years ago to watch rock bands. I remember Kasabian and some other bands playing there. The Booker has been stiff for years but they are loosening up – inviting pop stars, for example. So I was enjoying the night and then I got an inkling because they said: “It’s about life and death, the afterlife, and tenderness”, and at that moment I thought: “Oh shoot, I have to go up on stage and make a speech!” Then the adrenaline kicked in. It was very important to me to speak in Sinhala and Tamil. My wider wish is that Sinhala, Tamil, and English literature in Sri Lanka form the national backbone of literature in Sri Lanka. Everyone works in silos and it makes me sad that we are not aware of Sinhala writers and they are perhaps unaware of our work. The award is not just a victory for Colombo middle-class, English-speaking Colpetty people; it’s a victory for all storytellers in Sri Lanka.  About that much-debated speech – did you have a prepared one? You don’t want to wing it on that kind of stage, especially if you’ve had too much wine. You don’t want to burst into tears or forget to thank people. There are specific people I wanted to thank. It’s been a long journey and I appreciate everyone who has been in my corner. I don’t trust myself in the blur of the moment. So yes, I had noted down a few points. But you have it in your back pocket and forget about it. And I guess, if you don’t win, you destroy it. But, I had something to say and I certainly couldn’t say it in one minute. They tried to cut me off. After seven years of writing, at least give me three. But anyway, I did get my wish of speaking in Sinhala and Tamil, even though I’m not fluent in Tamil. I’m learning, though.  So the judges said the voice of the novel was something they hadn’t encountered in fiction before – unforgettable, beguiling, unsentimental. What’s your take on their take? When you put a book out into the world, it’s with a silent prayer, sort of a blessing on its way out. But you also say to yourself: “What the world thinks about this book is none of my business.” It’s easier said than done. Most books come out without fanfare and in anonymity when they hit the stores. If you’re lucky, it will pick up an audience and over a year you may sell well… unless you win the Booker Prize – now that’s a big thing. My thoughts when I looked at the judges’ take was realising that the things I had planted in the book had actually landed. “Angrily comic” is a good way to describe the book because it is angry. I’m very angry at Sri Lanka and very disappointed. But I love the country because I’m a part of it, and we have the sensibility to laugh at things – I don’t know if it’s a good thing. Maybe we need to be more serious. When the judges described it like that, I thought: “Yeah, they got it.” And the readers largely got it. Some haven’t, and find it quite confusing but, obviously, books are not for everyone. It will find its own audience. But it was heartening that the judges got it because when you’ve been in your bedroom typing in the dark and then you find that the world is responding to your words, that’s a satisfying feeling.  I know it’s a little early, but are we looking at a film maybe? I’m still grappling with how big this Booker thing is. The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is trending at No. 4 on Amazon – that’s in the whole world – which is pretty amazing to me. I didn’t ever think I’d even get into the top 500. But I don’t want to write screenplays because I love writing books. Let someone else take on the film part.   So, you’ve written children’s stories, sports stories, travel stories, rock songs, screenplays, and books, played guitar in a band, and worked in advertising – pretty colourful. What’s next? I’ve got another book and another couple of children’s books to write, and I’m working on a documentary screenplay. And then there’s the question: “What are you going to do with that prize money?” I’m not going to buy a big car or fancy clothes. I spend my money on guitars, books, good food, and good drink, and I spend on my kids; I don’t see that changing. So when I return to Sri Lanka and the dust settles, I just want to read, write, play music, and try to play the bass guitar. I will invest in the future of my children and maybe someone else’s child’s future. I don’t think life will change – why should it? These are the things I enjoy doing and I would do this even if I hadn’t won a Booker Prize. All these years, there was no promise that I would win a Booker. I just did what I did because I loved writing and you loved the story. So it’s back to doing what I love – that’s plenty isn’t it?  (Savithri Rodrigo is the host, director, and co-producer of the weekly digital programme ‘Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo,’ which can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. She has over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and social media)


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