In this episode of NL Interviews, Abhinandan Sekhri interviews writer and journalist Aatish Taseer on his new book The Twice-Born: Life and Death on the Ganges. Aatish talks about his journey into the lives of Brahmins living in Benares, discussing his encounters with the normalised practice of caste system and the idea of “spiritual impurity” that the city retains.

When asked about his change in stance about Narendra Modi, about whom he had been optimistic, Aatish calls it a “total catastrophe”. He explains his disappointment with the Prime Minister who once talked about development instead of mandir politics.

Abhinandan also questions Aatish on his ability to use people around him as “material” in his writings, including his parents, Pakistani politician Saleem Taseer and journalist Tavleen Singh.

Going beyond a discussion about culture and politics in India, Aatish talks about his personal stance on culture and identity as an “intellectual and cultural elite”, as a half-Muslim and as a writer.

Watch.