“I believe there are as many motherhoods as there are mothers”: In conversation with Jerry Pinto

Abstract

Jerry Pinto has always been a man of words and wit, as reflected in his career as a journalist, writer, and teacher. Em and the Big Hoom, his best-known novel, is described as a “profoundly moving book”, by Amitav Ghosh, who says: “I cannot remember when I last read something as touching.” Pinto’s debut novel depicts family relationships, hardships, and mental illness while reflecting on the practice and discourse of Indian motherhood. This conversation focuses on Pinto’s perspectives on motherhood, identity, and agency in the novel. It investigates how Indian motherhood relates to women’s silenced voices and, in many cases, depressed selves. The discussion elicits Pinto’s perspectives on what it means to be a mother in India, as well as his portrayal of the eponymous character Em’s mental illness. He discusses his inspiration for writing as well as some of the research that went into the creation of this semi-autobiographical work.