Decoding Meghna Pant’s Dystopian War Novel - A First That An Indian Woman Has Written

As the first dystopian novel penned by an Indian woman, The Man Who Lost India stands as a testament to the author Meghna Pant's perseverance and creative vision. Based against the backdrop of the Indo-China War, the novel touches on the themes of love, sexuality, and patriotism. In a conversation with SheThePeople, Meghna Pant discusses her most ambitious project, The Man Who Lost India. She illuminates the intricacies of her decade-long journey, the inspiration behind her narrative, and the underlying themes that permeate its pages.

From its inception, Pant's venture into dystopian fiction was not merely a creative endeavour, but a bold assertion against prevailing stereotypes. "Women can't write war novels," she recounts being told by a man during the promotion of her first book— a notion she was determined to debunk. "I just wanted to prove a chauvinist wrong," she admits. Little did she know, she was poised to make history in the process.

Behind The Man Who Lost India: MCP

Driven by a trifecta of motivations, that she has craftly abbreviated in the form of MCP—misogyny, curiosity, and patriotism, Pant embarked on a literary odyssey that would challenge perceptions and provoke contemplation. Curiosity, she explains, fueled her exploration of the Indo-China War of 1962—a conflict whose reverberations continue to shape collective memory. "We haven't lived through war," she reflects, pondering the indelible impact such events leave on familial bonds and societal fabric.

Yet, amidst the grim realities of warfare, Pant's narrative transcends jingoism, offering a nuanced perspective on patriotism as a force for peace and stability. "War is inevitable," she concedes, citing looming threats such as climate change and water scarcity. "But how can we prevent it? How can we not just survive, but thrive as a nation?" These questions, she asserts, lie at the heart of her narrative—a meditation on what unites and divides us in times of crisis.

Pleasure And Pain

At its core, The Man Who Lost India explores two enduring themes: pleasure and pain. "We can't experience one without the other," Pant observes. Drawing inspiration from Rumi's wisdom—" 'If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished"—she invites readers to confront the cyclical nature of suffering and joy. "Why do we treat setbacks as travesties?" she muses. "They're opportunities to evolve, to grow."

Central to Pant's narrative is the protagonist, Ida, a sexually empowered and unapologetic figure whose pursuit of pleasure serves as a foil to the inevitable suffering she seeks to avoid. "Who isn't suffering?" Pant poses. "She ends up suffering the most because she avoids it. What is meant to be, will be." Through Ida's journey, Pant navigates the complexities of love—a prism through which both pleasure and pain refract.

Let's Redefine Love

Indeed, love in all its shades emerges as a prominent motif in Pant's narrative—a force that transcends societal norms and defies categorization. "Hitler can find love," she quips, "so can we all." From familial bonds to romantic entanglements, Pant's narrative celebrates the myriad manifestations of love—a sentiment she hopes readers will embrace. Love is at the heart of her novel from Manu’s love for Ida to Urmila’s love for Ram. 

Yet, amidst the celebration of love, Pant does not shy away from confronting societal taboos—particularly regarding female sexuality. Talking about the dichotomy between sexual liberation and chastity, Pant explores how women try to tame their sexual selves to conform to the societal construct of virginity. 

Pant leaves readers with a poignant plea: "Women can write war novels. Please read more female writers. Support them." In extending her book, she extends an invitation—a call to engage with her narrative, to challenge preconceptions, and to embrace the multiplicity of human experience.

With The Man Who Lost India, Meghna Pant has not only crafted a compelling narrative; she has sparked a conversation—one that promises to endure long after the final chapter is read.