True Dummy – A fable of existence

Author – Ashish Jaiswal
Publisher – Rupa & Co.
(Indian Subcontinent Edition 2008)
Language – English
ISBN –
Paperback – 247 pages

Aaron : Welcome Ashish

AJ : Thanks Aaron and thanks for having me.

Aaron : My first question. Why - a fable of existence?

AJ : (pause) From the time mankind has set its foot on this earth, there is one question that has transcended all. Why we are here? Civilisations came and went. The question remained the same. In the western literary tradition, we have seen Plato battling with this question. And I see his idea of the parallel perfect world a resultant of this very battle. From the east, in Hinduism if we talk about Veds – ved is a Sanskrit term meaning - to know. But to know what? To me, whether it was Jesus Christ’s journey into the Desert, Gautam Budhha’s samadhi under the baudhi tree or Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)’s time inside cave Hira on mountain jabal-al-nour, these all had one purpose – to let us all know - why we exist and how should we exist.

Aaron : Then what new True Dummy has to say?

AJ : In fact none at all. I believe what should be written has already been written in our religious texts. (Pause) However, the critical turn at which our world is standing today, it is very important for us to understand the oneness of our religious preaching. One. Which True Dummy tries to attempt. Two. We live in a different time. Different to when these texts came into existence. Today the youth is confronted with very different questions - questions related to ambition, achievement. The question of existence definitely trouble him but in a different manner - when he gains consciousness of the world around him, he sees 700 odd billion specks around him and he is merely one of them. He then starts devising his own meaning of purposeful existence. True Dummy hasn’t shied away from the pertinent questions facing the contemporary youth.

Aaron : Tell us more about your title - True Dummy, there is element of mystery to it and then there is this line - there are only two kinds…What does it mean?

AJ : Yes, there is an element of mystery in the title True Dummy. It makes you think. In fact the entire concept of allegory hinges on the element of mystery. In Indian literary tradition, allegory is a very frequently used tool in storytelling. I am comfortable with the personification of wind, sun, moon. I have grown up listening to stories where animals talk. In Panchatantra – presumably the first collection of fables, the message is conveyed through the interaction of animals. Simple and concise. I understand that language. True Dummy is somewhat like that - allegorical, magical yet simple and concise. And, yes the title. It is not that mysterious, one just needs to ponder for a minute (pause) True Dummy – there are only two kinds and I guess the mystery will be revealed (smiles).

Aaron : Tell us more about the style of True Dummy and where does it stands in the Indian English literature?

AJ : In a way True Dummy resembles the oral storytelling culture that was so very prevalent in ancient India. To me, the Indian writing in English is a term that does not do justice to my understanding of Indian writing. First, the world relates the term Indian writing in English to what the diasporic community is commonly writing. And to me that’s a fallacy. I definitely miss the fragrance of Indian soil coming of the writings of Raja Rao and RK Narayan in the barrage of post colonial literature formulaic factory. The second thing which surprises me is the complete absence of existential themes. Soul-searching, spirituality, religion, philosophy, whether it were the ancient granths or even the Sufi writing, Indians were always keen to address these questions. I feel if the world wants to read Indian literature they are better of reading translations of exemplary Indian writing that has happened in Hindi, in Urdu and in other Indian languages. Some names being Ram Krishna Param Hans, Vivekanand, Rabindra Nath Tagore, U.G. Krishna Murhty, Dr. Allhama Iqbal.

Aaron : Ashish correct me if I am wrong, you are doing doctorate in business education? How does it relate to you writing a fable?

AJ : I would have been more worried if what I am doing has no relation to what I am writing. Actually to me, there is no conflict at all. There should never be a conflict at all. Let me explain, if we look at Mother Nature, it exists because at the end of the day all its elements are speaking one language - the language to exist in unison. That is the language that every activity on this earth should speak. Now, I am being trained to be an educationist. To me, education is one of the key instruments in eradicating ignorance and bringing equality. Now, I am specifically studying curricular reforms in business. What essentially is being taught to the people who eventually go on to occupy important position in world – creating corporate, influencing economic policies. The world is seeing its worst kind of recession - sub prime mortgage crises and the conduct of business leaders are two of key reasons cited for this failure. I think we need to go to the root cause and I believe inherent changes on the level of epistemology are required to bring order to the world. Which in a way should not conflict with the language of nature.

Aaron : What next?

AJ : (smiles) I really want to submit my doctoral thesis as soon as possible.

Aaron : Finally, your book will release in about thirty –forty days. It will be there for the world to see. Are you nervous?

AJ : I will use a quote from True Dummy - People who fear death are those who lack imagination.

Aaron : Ashish, it has been a pleasure talking to you.

AJ : Not at all, the pleasure was entirely mine, Aaron.