Dinesh Kapoor (PH1-1203) needs little introduction to our residents. You have been reading his articles since the distribution of the community magazine Samvada started here. You may have watched him too, debating issues on TV channels as a historian.
Recently, Dinesh ji’s two new books have been published. I spoke to him about these and other matters. “I have donned many hats.” His YouTube channel ‘History by Dinesh Kapoor’ features 100+ episodes exploring history with 50K subscribers.
Dinesh ji’s plays have been staged. He is a filmmaker with 22 documentaries and a feature film to his credit. He blogs about his travels to the five continents. “I am a Masters (English Literature) from DU, an MBA (HRD) and a Diploma (Journalism) from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan.”
I asked Dinesh ji to introduce the less known bits about him. To this, he said that his childhood was a mix of intense love and neglect. “I got love and rejection from unexpected quarters.” But he is lucky to have found love and peace inside him.
I then inquired what made him get into historical writing. Dinesh ji told me that writing came naturally to him in linguistics. “I wrote my first story – titled Kayar – at 14.” He mused about the angel in his neighbourhood whose love and taunts resulted in this story.
Dinesh ji studied history only as an optional subject while doing honours in English Literature, but he found it boring. Years later, he was given the job of escorting foreign tourists. “My first destination was the Qutab.”
Dinesh ji confesses he thought nothing of the Qutab except as a romantic hideout. But, on this visit, he felt transported to the 12th century. “Each stone, each pillar seemed familiar to me!” He found it exhilarating that he was walking the same paths that others had 800 years ago.
Dinesh ji wondered at the people who would have fought, lived, prejudiced here. They would have done the same as us, only in a different attire and in a separate way. “This got me infatuated with monuments.”
Dinesh ji began to make documentaries, author books and deliver lectures on history. There is a message here for those who ‘think’ they are weak in a particular subject. “For all you know, given the right teacher and environs, you are the best.”
I then asked Dinesh ji to tell us about his books. He said that he writes in English and Hindi with equal ease. “I have written books on history, short stories, poetry and novels.” Last month, his two Hindi books – one, a poetry collection and two, a play about India’s partition and Mahatma Gandhi’s murder – have been published and are on Amazon.
Dinesh ji reminisced about his reading habit. He started reading at a youthful age when reading anything other than textbooks was considered a sin. “I would rent a novel, go to a friend’s house; sprawl on an uncomfortable cot lying abandoned on the terrace and read to glory.”
It would take Dinesh ji an hour to finish but until then, nothing could distract him. He would return home making an excuse. “I devoured my school library books.”
I then inquired what he wanted readers to take away from his books. Dinesh ji told he wants readers to take away information, the essence of life and all that matters.
I then asked Dinesh ji what the best compliment was he had got on his books. He said that after reading his story Guide, a lady playfully had wanted to kiss his hands in which he had held the pen. “I too playfully replied that I’d written the story with the pen in my mouth!!”
I then inquired who is his favourite historical author. Dinesh ji named Dominique La-Pierre and Larry Collins for their ‘Freedom at Midnight’; Bamber Gascoigne; Gayatri Devi for A Princess Remembers; Sri Lal Shukla for Raag Darbari; and many more.
I then asked Dinesh ji what he would advise to a newbie author. He advised to never hesitate to write what you strongly feel about as that alone will make you an author.
I then inquired if we need history to be brought forth from a fresh perspective for GenZ. Dinesh ji affirmed. “The need to relook at history was substantiated when 40 historians were invited at Rouse Avenue to discuss relevant history to be taught to Indian students and not what has been incorporated by the vested interests in the NCERT books.”
Dinesh ji was given to set the record straight about what happened in 1947 based on the recorded documents. So, yes, GenZ deserves a fresh perspective on history! “But those interested can catch me any time to hear a nugget or two of history as it really happened.”
