Indore hosted an engaging session of The Write Circle, an initiative of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with Ehsaas Women of Indore. The distinguished author Shalini Modi reflected on Indian mythology, astrology, and spiritual wisdom in conversation with Suchitra Sajid Dhanani. The event commenced with a warm welcome by Surbhi Dhupar, Ehsaas Woman of Indore, who set a congenial tone for the evening.
At the outset, Sajid Dhanani noted the common axiom that childhood shapes the future of an individual. Shalini Modi concurred, recalling growing up with mythology in her home. “I have grown up hearing stories; all kinds of stories of different Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata. Those stories would actually kind of transport me to this magical world of gods, goddesses, and even rakshasas.” In describing these tales, she likened them to her children’s fairy tales. “Instead of the fair English fairy tales, these were our kind of fairy tales.”
As she matured, she sensed layers of meaning beneath the narratives and began reading more critically. “I felt the need to find symbolism in these stories instead of just taking them literally. And that’s how the journey started of being an author, of reading more.” Her recollection was candid and relatable; it painted astrology not as arcane, but as woven into everyday life, inherited from parents and woven into marital harmony.
The discussion naturally progressed to astrology’s role in normal life. Modi was emphatic that astrology should not be misconstrued as fatalistic: “Astrology should not be taken as just a prediction because there is also talk about free will. Your period could be good to do well in business, or to get married, or to have a kid, but the eventual work has to be done by you. If you decide not to do anything and sit pretty, then nothing is going to move.” She explained, “The work and the choices are yours. But definitely astrology tells you the promise of the chart you are born with. It gives you cues.”
Throughout the evening, Modi’s reflections were interspersed with vibrant dialogue. She did not shy away from addressing skepticism. When asked about handling debates over astrology’s validity, she advised: “You can only say your bit and then keep quiet. You can’t change someone’s perception. Everyone has their belief system.”
One particularly animated segment of the dialogue centered on mythology’s emotional depth. Modi illustrated this with the example of Kunti and the Pandavas, specifically focusing on fear as a dominant rasa. She said: “Fear is something so intrinsic but she did not give up. She handled all of them with great dignity. She remembered the boon that she had in life.” Through these stories, Modi demonstrated how ancient characters’ emotional journeys can serve as mirrors and guides for contemporary life.
She further elaborated on the rasa of laughter through the mischievous episodes of Krishna and the Gopis. She remarked, “We have Krishna and Rukmini for shringara. But I think for me, the rasa I used is hasya, because when we think of Lord Krishna, he is always teasing the Gopis. They would sometimes get angry at him, sometimes laugh, and it’s like a lovely playful bond.”
In her final thoughts, Modi spoke of balance. She noted how the solar deity Surya’s presence in her recent writing underscored daily rhythm. Invoking the spirit of hospitality, Unnati Singh, Ehsaas Woman of Indore thanked the audience for their enthusiastic participation. Before the formal closing, Ehsaas Women of Indore, Surbhi Dhupar, Suchitra Sajid Dhanani, and Unnati Singh joined the stage to felicitously honour Shalini Modi presenting her with traditional Jaipur puppets.
This session of The Write Circle was organized with the support of Ehsaas Women of Indore, Hospitality Partner, Sayaji; Print Hindi Media Partner, Nayi Duniya
