This is an archive article published on March 6, 2009
Pamuk takes city to an Ottoman coffee house
Before Orhan Pamuk reads out a chapter from My Name is Red,he asks the audience to shut their eyes and imagine.
Written by Alaka Sahani
Mumbai | March 6, 2009 02:56 AM IST
3 min read
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Before Orhan Pamuk reads out a chapter from My Name is Red,he asks the audience to shut their eyes and imagine. As he starts reading from the International IMPAC Award-winning book set in 16th century Istanbul it seems necessary to follow his suggestion,for he transports the audience to an Ottoman coffee house. There,a picture storyteller is narrating the seven-year journey of a 22-carat Sultani Ottoman gold coin in first person,only to confess soon after that its a counterfeit coin.
This episode steeped in history and laced with humour set the mood for a reading and interactive session with the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006,on Thursday evening in the city. Pamuk is not known to be an easy-to-read author. However,with a quick smile,a fine sense of humour and genuine replies,he came across as an easy person.
The Nobel laureate,who in 2006 faced criminal charges for his outspoken comments on the Armenian genocide,tells the audience,Its now my past. It doesnt trouble me as much as the chances of Turkeys entry into the European Union. The conservative Germany,France and the authoritarians in Turkey are resisting it.
Being a victim of Turkish nationalism,he gained the status of one of Turkeys most loved and hated writers. But that might be changing now as the critics in his country love his new book,The Museum of Innocence. This love story,spanning 25 years,takes the shape of a 600-page tome. His newest novel,which had an August release in his homeland,will be hitting the bookstands in the UK in mid-September and the US in November a veritable proof of the authors universal appeal. He has always based his stories in Turkey with lots of its history,culture and politics permeating the narrative. This hasnt stopped his writings from being translated in 55 languages. I write novels for people across the world, he says.
Some of the recurring themes of his novels are the clash of civilisations with Turkey caught between the East and the West. Along with it runs the search for identity and the changing culture. But its the quest for the meaning of human life that spurs him to write novels,though the characters are often found facing these issues.
The celebratory status for Pamuk,who dropped out of a course in architecture to become a writer,came about in the 90s.
He had to struggle to find a publisher for his first book,after devoting seven years to writing it. Now,his novels My Name is Red,Snow,The Black Book and The White Castle as well as his memoir Istanbul Memories of a City are considered to be modern masterpieces. He plans to write a sequel to Istanbul. It will be my look at the western civilisation coming from a member of the upper middle-class Turkish society, he says.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
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