Of Murders, Myths, and a City on Edge: Prasun Roy on Writing ‘Devi’ | The Literature Lounge

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About This Podcast

What happens when mythology meets murder and the city becomes a character in the crime?

In this episode, Mohua sits down with author Prasun Roy to explore Devi: Mystery of the Kolkata Murders, a genre-blurring novel that unfolds during the chaos and colour of Durga Puja. Part thriller, part social satire, and part love letter to Kolkata, Devi is more than just a murder mystery. It’s a meditation on justice, identity, and the quiet rage of the ordinary citizen.

Prasun reflects on his journey as a writer: from short stories and young adult fiction to biographies, mythology, translations, and now a crime novel rich with cultural symbolism. He unpacks how real-world extraditions, political power plays, and collective trauma seeped into the novel’s spine, and why the goddess Durga, and her weapons, became central to the book’s plot and philosophy.

With layered storytelling, unexpected deaths, and a killer who chooses Devi’s arsenal, Devi asks the haunting question: Who, or what, is Devi? And can justice ever be genderless?

If you love cityscapes, morally tangled thrillers, or books that refuse to sit in one genre, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

Key Takeaways:

Prasun Roy’s multi-genre writing journey, from short stories to translations to thrillers.
The inspiration behind Devi, which blends crime, satire, love, and social commentary.
Kolkata as a living, breathing character in the novel, especially during Durga Puja.
The symbolic use of Durga’s weapons in the murders and the deeper meaning behind them.
The narrative interplay between a fugitive businessman's extradition and a series of mysterious killings.
Commentary on police inefficiencies versus the pressures they face during festivals.
Power dynamics between the rich and the common man, and how the latter retaliates when cornered.
The idea of Devi as not just a woman, but a universal symbol of inner strength and justice.
Why Devi isn’t a gory or psychological thriller but an emotionally resonant social mystery.
Advice for aspiring authors: the importance of discipline, research, and narrative consistency.

Episode Timeline

00:10

: Introduction

03:21

: Mystery of Devi, a tapestry of crime, love, and exploring cultural heritage

05:55

: Weaving crime into festivity and the extradition plot in Devi

09:18

: Uniqueness of Devi, in the world of OTTs and crime thrillers, exploring the concept of universal love

12:10

: A non-psychological, non-violent event in the heart of Kolkata

13:55

: Unveiling the Complexities of Power and Struggle

17:27

: Devi symbolizes modern woman and mythical strength

19:19

: Excerpts from the book

23:21

: Advice to young writers

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