'I want to ensure that people actually read my books'

COIMBATORE: Writer and educationist Qaisra Shahraz may be a virtual unknown here, but the Manchester-based writer is widely read and critically acclaimed at home. The Pakistani author, who migrated to the UK as a child, is on tour in India, where she attended the Jaipur Lit Fest as a participatory writer, and was in Coimbatore to deliver the valedictory address to a group of Brazilian doctors at Arya Vaidya Pharmacy.She also participated in the inauguration of the Cochin Book Fair on Tuesday.
"I am coming to Coimbatore for the second time and am being hosted by a dear friend. The hospitality this city has shown me is very touching," she said. The translation of her second novel, 'Typhoon', published by DC Books, is being launched at the fair. The novel set in Pakistan is a tragic tale of three young women demonised by their past and is based on the author's memories of Pakistan.
The writer will also visit Calicut University in Kerala, where she will address students. She has already visited Jaipur University. "Jaipur is a beautiful city. When I go back home, I will definitely tell everybody about the beautiful architecture of the city," she said.
Shahraz is proud that a recent collection of essays, 'The Holy and the Unholy," edited by AK Kidwa and Asin Siddique, is devoted solely to her work. "My very first short story 'Jeans' merited an entire essay. Even a Morocco writer has found the time to analyse my work. Incidentally, my short story is even taught in German schools," she said.
After her two-week tour of India, Shahraz will go to Beijing to attend Bookworm Festival. Asked about her visit to China, she said, "What is the point of just sitting at home after having written a book. I want to make sure people actually read it".
She said she was excited to be in Cochin as her book is reaching new readers. "I have been to Kerala before. I am happy to be in a state which has 100% literacy not to mention the awe-inspiring beauty," she said.
Apart from her three novels, Shahraz has also written a 14-part series called 'Dil Hi To He (The Heart Is It),' for Pakistan TV (PTV).
Asked about her view on the Salman Rushdie controversy, she said, "It is an unfortunate affair. It hijacked the whole event. As a Muslim, I was unhappy that the issue cast my community in a bad light. I strive to build cultural bridges. I am part of the Inter-Faith Network. Community cohesion is my mantra."
Asked how her family coped with her travel, she said of all her roles, her role as a mother took first priority. "My third novel 'Silence' is set in Morocco and Pakistan," she said.