"Sharing the Light" - Interview with Mitali Ruths

Getting Lit with Linda - The Canadian Literature Podcast

Linda opens this episode with a dedication to her nephew -- and then "shares the light" of Diwali with children's literature author, Mitali Ruths, with whom she chats about her book Archie Celebrates Diwali. Published this year by Charlesbridge Archie Celebrates Diwali is based on an epic, Ramayana, and focuses on the South-Asian festival of lights (3.45, 8.45, and 10.30). Mitali addresses Diwali's origins (3.45 and 4.37), how it is celebrated (15.11), and the reasons for writing this story (7.30, 8.45, 10.30 and 18.30). She makes reference to Sanjay Patel's Ramayana: Divine Loophole (8.27); the significance of Archie's name (a reference to archana and to the Emmy-winning British actress, Archie Panjabi, 20); her fabulous illustrator, Parwinder Singh (4 and 4.15); and, more generally, the plot and meaning of the book (20.30). Mitali also locates this book as one among several in a renaissance of South-Asian stories (9.35).

Special shout-outs (among others) to:

• HG Literary Group (11.28)
• Victoria Wells (11.28)
• her publisher, Charlesbridge (12.28 and 16.09)
• the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (10.33)

At 26.10, Mitali makes a special offer to listeners of the podcast -- and I want "in" on that too!

Join me on the next episode when I chat with some of the finalists for the Quebec Literary prizes (hosted by the Quebec Writers' Federation).

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