Amulya Malladi: A Breath of Fresh Air, The Mango Season, Serving Crazy with Curry, and Song of the Cuckoo Bird. Delightful, provocative, humorous are few terms to describe Amulya’s books . These books have distinct Indian settings and differ from immigrant Diaspora that most US based Indian authors prefer to explore. Her new book, The Sound Of Language treads on unfamiliar subject of friendship between an Afghan immigrant and a Danish widower. In an online tête-à-tête with Amulya, DesiDiva had the opportunity to learn more about Amulya’s thoughts and her life.
Meena:Amulya you’ve written number of books on myriad topics, with emphasis on relationships. Is inspiration for your books incident based or personal experiences?
Amulya :I think almost all my books have some personal experiences in them; but the inspiration has been from a variety of experiences, mine and those of others. I try to write a different book each time as it helps me learn something new about myself and the world at large.
Meena:Your latest book, The Sound of Language, explores relationship between 2 people from totally diverse cultures. As an Indian in Denmark and married to a Dane, how has this inter-cultural fusion enriched you ?
Amulya :I think Europe has been a revelation. Denmark is very different from the United States; actually, Europe is very different from United States so I did have some culture shock. In what way has this fusion enriched me? I think it has altered many of my perceptions and has helped me grow in a more positive manner – but that has to do with my husband and not his nationality or the country we live in.
Meena: In The Sound Of Language you’ve highlighted racial violence ….how vital was this element in the storyline and what was your reaction (to the real neo-Nazi teenage violence against a Somali family episode in Denmark).
Amulya:Since I have come to Denmark, people tell me that things were different fifteen years ago that the government and people were more accepting of immigrants; but now racism is on the rise. This is not a good sign as far as I’m concerned. I’d rather people said that ten years people were xenophobic and now they’re really embracing other cultures. The rate at which things are shaping up in Denmark I worry that young people are becoming more and more racist and that’s why I wanted it to be part of this book – that’s why it was organically a part of this book.
Meena: How has your world travel impacted you ? Raised mainly in Bhopal and Hyderabad, Amulya studied in USA and now currently resides in Denmark.
Amulya :I think all this travel has ensured that I am a citizen of the world and can be at home anywhere. My concept of home has to do more with family than geography. All this travel also means that I love to move and live in new places.
Meena: What are your future projects ? Books ? Movies maybe ? Any thought about writing a screenplay ?
Amulya :There is a book I’m working on but I’m not ready to talk about it yet – it’s early days. Movies/screenplays? Really not that interesting to me.
Meena: How do you bring balance in your life juggling with your demanding avatars as a software professional ,an author , a wife, a daughter and a mother ?
Amulya :First, I’m not a software professional but a marketing and communication professional. Second, it’s hard work to wear all these hats. No way around the hard work! But I have a wonderful and supportive husband so the hard work is not that hard.
Meena: Your opinion on motherhood….Amulya has two sons (names ?)
Amulya :Tobias is 7 and Isaiah is 4; and motherhood is fabulous.
Meena: What are your hobbies ? Amulya : With all the ”stuff” in my life hobbies are hard to maintain and in any case, it has always been about writing and reading books. But I do love to cook, which comes in handy because my kids and husband have a good appetite and desire to taste a variety of different food.
Meena: How has been life been in US and Denmark ? Are the cultures very contrasting ? Do you think you will eventually settle in USA ?
Amulya :Like I said, there is a great difference in being an immigrant in the US and in Denmark. The cultures are not entirely contrasting but are very different. There are pros and cons in living in both Denmark and the US. For now we live in Denmark…we’ll see what the future brings to us.
Sign off : Thank You for sharing with us your time and thoughts. DesiDiva wishes you luck for the future and a happy life. For more information on Amulya visit www.amulyamalladi.com | 
