Mario Vargas Llosa: A tribute to a literary colossus

Even during my early days in Peru, I was drawn to Mario. His charisma, striking good looks, and powerful influence on public discourse made him a figure of immense presence. I was eager to meet him and reached out for an appointment. In response, he proposed coming over for dinner, provided that Indian food was served, which he said was his favourite cuisine.

It was a great pleasure to host him, along with other leading intellectuals, at my residence. During that evening, our shared desire to build a lasting friendship became apparent.

In another interaction well before he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2010, we met informally. It was impossible not to be drawn to him. His distracting good looks, endearing and amiable personality, and impeccable and sophisticated manners made him one of the most compelling conversationalists I had encountered. He wielded dialogue with effortless wit, charm and humour.

Notwithstanding his love for Indian cuisine, art and culture, his quest to visit India remained unrealised. Yet his admiration for the country and its civilisational ethos remained strong and unwavering.

Living in Peru, one could not help but be influenced by its cultural richness. It is the land of Machu Picchu, a place surrounded by legends, stories, and an enduring sense of mystique. Discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu has become a symbol of Peru’s heritage. It is believed to have served as the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, a religious sanctuary, or an astronomical observatory. Its remote location adds to its allure and mystery, which continues to captivate both scholars and visitors. It is no surprise that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during his official visit to Peru, made the arduous journey to see Machu Picchu himself.

Speaking of Machu Picchu, Mario once said during a public lecture in Cusco in 1998, “The Incas created a civilisation of astounding depth. We Peruvians are their heirs, whether we know it or not.” In an interview with El País in 2001, he observed, “Peru is a country of layers. It contains worlds within itself.” Reflecting on Machu Picchu, he remarked, “It is not only stone, but a silence that speaks,” calling it a mystery that has endured, upon receiving Peru’s highest national honour, the Orden del Sol.

The dinner evening I mentioned earlier was meticulously planned. Mario, accompanied by his charming wife Patricia, came to our home with a select group of Peruvian intellectuals. The evening unfolded with lively conversations, anecdotes and reflections on the political situation in Peru, and the potential role he could play to rescue his country from what he described as economic chaos and Marxist insurgency.

In another private gathering hosted by a mutual friend, I had the opportunity to ask him why he chose to pursue writing as a profession, despite having studied law, engineering and humanities. He reflected thoughtfully and said that becoming a writer had always been his dream, inspired by the literature he had read. However, it was not a viable profession at the time. It was only after moving to Madrid for further studies, and then to Paris, where he spent seven years, that he began to believe that this dream could become reality.

After his teaching appointments in Paris and London, he had more time to read and write. He remained open to new ideas and cultures. In Paris, he was deeply influenced by Jean-Paul Sartre and often read the works of Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo, who both left a strong imprint on his language and style. His travels to Europe deepened his engagement with European literary traditions, even as he remained rooted in Latin America.

He eventually decided to dedicate his entire life to writing. According to him, good literature has the power to transform individuals and to change society. That evening remains a cherished memory for me, a true masterclass from a towering literary figure.

It was in London that he came into greater contact with Indian culture and people. He greatly admired democratic India and developed a strong appreciation for Indian cuisine. He expressed happiness at the growing warmth in Indo-Peruvian relations.

With his passing, I have lost a dear friend. The world has lost a voice that consistently advocated for liberalism, freedom and the rule of law. While he once supported the Cuban Revolution, he later came to believe that tyranny begins when any government seeks to erode legal rights and undermine the law.

He had the rare ability to combine intellectual depth with literary brilliance and political engagement. His contributions to global discussions on freedom and governance were profound. He believed deeply in the power of literature, once stating that liberty is not a reward for good behaviour, it is a right. Without freedom, literature does not exist. As he once beautifully said, “The world is not what it seems to be. It is the dream of someone who no longer dreams.”

I will deeply miss this noble soul.

Kunadi is former ambassador of India to Peru, Bolivia, France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO in Paris and the United Nations in Geneva