Ruthvika Rao, an emerging voice in contemporary literature, is set to captivate readers with her debut novel, ‘The Fertile Earth’. Known for her evocative storytelling and rich narrative style, Ruthvika's book explores themes of heritage, identity, politics and much more. With a background in literature and a passion for weaving compelling tales, Rao brings a fresh perspective to the literary scene.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Ruthvika discusses the central theme of the book, development of the character and much more.
Can you tell us about the central theme and inspiration behind the fertile earth?
A few years ago, I stumbled upon a 1970 New York Times clipping about the Naxalite movement. The shocking photograph of a landlord executed and displayed by Naxalites was a turning point for me. I had heard about the Naxalites often while growing up, and this image made me realise that this era was something I needed to explore. What began as a deep dive into this historical period eventually became the first chapter of my novel, which evolved into a love story set against a broad social canvas.
How did you develop the characters in the book, and what are some of the key traits or challenges they face?
Characters, for me, evolve through the challenges they face. They often develop beyond my control, acting in ways that can complicate the story and make my job harder. I’ve found that characters take on a life of their own on the page, revealing traits and behaviours I didn’t anticipate, which pushes me to adapt and learn. Another challenge is writing about a place and culture that may be unfamiliar to many readers. While I write primarily for myself, I also strive to translate a unique cultural context in a way that feels organic and not overly didactic. Balancing authenticity with engaging storytelling is a key part of making the cultural elements resonate naturally within the fiction.
What message or emotions do you readers take away from the book?
I'm aiming to create an immersive experience for readers, one that allows them to fully engage with the fictional world of the book. I hope that the novel offers an alternate reality that readers can fall into, and that it remains compelling enough to be revisited in the future. This desire stems from my own love of re-reading my favourite books, and my hope is that my novel will have the same enduring appeal for others.
What do you hope to see in the future of South Asian literature and its representation in the UK? And how does your work fit into this vision?
Creating art while being part of a specific heritage means contributing to a long-standing tradition of artists. I often reflect on how much harder it must have been for those who came before me. My goal is to introduce readers in the UK to a fresh perspective on a place they may not be familiar with, even if it's set in a different time or corner of the world. I hope to show how these experiences resonate with contemporary life and contribute something timeless to the literary landscape.
I aim to offer diverse contributions that go beyond direct discussions on contemporary issues like immigration. With so many regional languages in South Asia, including India, I hope to contribute to the broader cultural and literary landscape, perhaps through works in translation. My novel, set in a rural Telangana village, is a way for me to preserve a world my parents know but I do not. It's a form of living memory, capturing a time and place that might be forgotten by future generations. Through fiction, I strive to provide an immersive, insider's view that preserves and shares this heritage for both myself and my ancestors.
