Highly regarded novelist Vikram Seth has just translated the Hanuman Chalisa and it’s a particularly enchanting translation because he’s captured both the rhyme and rhythm of the original – thus conveying the incantatory pleasure of the Hindi and Awadhi versions.

In an interview with The Wire, Seth talks about his decision to translate the Chalisa, why he waited for over a decade to publish it, why he’s dedicated it to one of his fictional characters from A Suitable Boy, what the Chalisa means to him, how he distinguishes between Hinduism and Hindutva, how he views the Narendra Modi government and, more importantly, Modi himself.

Vikram Seth also talks about what has happened to Arundhati Roy and the wider attempt to cow journalists, artists, authors, businessmen, the judiciary, politicians, etc.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.