Nasera Sharma: A Delhi Writer's Interviews with Khomeini and Kham
· relationships
The Unlikely Voice of Reason
Nasera Sharma’s remarkable story is one of unlikely intersections – a Delhi-based writer who interviewed top West Asian leaders in the 1980s, including Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei. Her experiences offer a unique window into a pivotal period in Iranian history, marked by revolution, war, and regime change.
Sharma’s interviews with the two Ayatollahs were groundbreaking at the time, creating a sensation in Iran and beyond. The early 1980s were a tumultuous period for Iran, as the new Islamic Republic struggled to establish itself amidst internal opposition and external threats. Sharma’s fluency in Persian and her Shia faith created a connection with Khomeini that facilitated her access to these influential leaders.
Sharma’s interviews offer valuable insights into their worldviews and the challenges they faced during this critical period. Her ability to navigate the complex landscape of Iranian politics was likely due in part to her deep understanding of the culture and history she was writing about.
However, Sharma’s story is not just about politics or high-stakes journalism. It is also a testament to her literary talent and dedication to telling stories that reflect the lives of ordinary people. Her novels, such as “Parijat” and “Afghanistan: Buzkashi Ka Maidan”, are richly detailed explorations of culture, history, and human experience.
Born into a literary family in Allahabad, Sharma was exposed to Urdu, Persian, and English from an early age. This linguistic versatility served her well as she traveled to Edinburgh, where she met her husband, R C Sharma, who would become a renowned geographer. Their time at JNU, amidst the Aravalli hills and the bougainvillea-filled campus, proved to be a fertile ground for Sharma’s writing career.
Her first story, “Butkhana”, was published in 1976, and she went on to write extensively on Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Her work is characterized by an empathy for ordinary people, as evident in her detailed descriptions of everyday life. This ability to capture the human experience has made her one of the most respected voices in Indian literature.
Sharma’s experiences during the Covid pandemic offer a poignant reminder of the importance of storytelling during times of crisis. Her poem “Kuttey bahut udaas hain” (The dogs are very sad) captures the emotions and struggles faced by many during this period.
As we reflect on Sharma’s remarkable story, we are reminded that even in the most tumultuous periods, there is always a need for voices of reason, empathy, and understanding. Sharma’s life and work serve as a testament to the power of literature to bridge cultures, languages, and experiences.
Reader Views
- SRSam R. · therapist
What's striking about Nasera Sharma's interviews is how they humanize Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei, two figures often shrouded in myth and propaganda. But it's also worth noting that her access to these leaders was likely facilitated by her fluency in Persian, a language spoken by only a small percentage of Indians. This raises questions about the privilege and power dynamics at play in international journalism, particularly when reporting on regions where Western languages are not widely spoken. How do we ensure that voices like Sharma's become more common, rather than exceptions?
- TSThe Salon Desk · editorial
While Nasera Sharma's interviews with Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei offer a fascinating glimpse into Iran's tumultuous 1980s, one can't help but wonder about the reception of her work in India during that period. Given the complex geopolitics of the time, did Sharma's pro-Iranian stance put her at odds with Indian establishment? Was she forced to self-censor or navigate a delicate balancing act between her love for Iranian culture and her nationality? The article raises more questions than it answers about the context in which this remarkable writer operated.
- LDLou D. · communications coach
What's missing from this profile is a nuanced exploration of Nasera Sharma's perspective as a woman navigating patriarchal societies in the 1980s. While her fluency in Persian and Shia faith undoubtedly facilitated access to the Ayatollahs, we must also consider how these factors might have influenced her perceptions of Iranian politics. A more critical examination of her experiences would add depth to our understanding of this pivotal period in Iranian history.