Author Rana Dasgupta is among 70 global personalities who are expected to shape tomorrow's world according to French newspaper Le Monde.
"To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the eminent French newspaper Le Monde will publish 70 portraits of personalities expected to shape tomorrow's world in their own respective ways in various areas, from economics and politics to arts and sports. Indian author Rana Dasgupta has been chosen to represent India's culture," according to a statement by the French Embassy .
Dasgupta, the author of "Tokyo Cancelled" (2005), "Solo" (2009) and the more recently published "Capital: a portrait of Twenty-First-Century Delhi", is representing India in the cultural field among its "young sprouts".
Dasgupta, who currently lives in Delhi had won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for his novel "Solo". He was in conversation with critic and foreign fiction editor of Le Monde's book section Florence Noiville at an event here late last evening.
Evolution of literature, politics and citizenship over the last seven decades dominated the conversation with the speakers pondering over questions like these: Why is literature no more seen as a weapon to fight ideological battles? Has the written word lost its relevance? How are the newer forms of citizenship changing the nature of politics?
"Literature is no longer a weapon of fighting ideological battles as in the times if Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre," Noiville pointed out.
