Anuradha Marwah’s Aunties of Vasant Kunj: A witty insight into Delhi’s middle-class

Anuradha Marwah has established a distinctive presence in contemporary Indian literature, skilfully combining sharp societal critiques with a compassionate perspective on middle-class life. Her latest novel, Aunties of Vasant Kunj, released in August, is a 297-page narrative that humorously and poignantly depicts three women as they navigate the complexities of modern Delhi.

A professor of English at Delhi’s Zakir Husain College, Marwah is also the author of three novels and five plays. Her writing journey began in childhood, driven by a love for words. “I can’t recall a time when I wasn’t writing,” she shared with Patriot. “As a child, I wrote rhymes, and by adolescence, I had moved on to poetry.”

However, it was her 1993 Bildungsroman, The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta that solidified her identity as a writer committed to challenging societal norms. “Since then, I see myself as a woman who writes to make sense of the world, challenge various forms of oppression, and contribute to creating a better future,” she explained.

In Aunties of Vasant Kunj, Marwah introduces three women—Shailaja, Mrs Gandhi, and Dini—each representing different aspects of womanhood in Delhi’s middle class. These characters reflect the various selves Marwah carries. “Slotting women into ‘types’—homemaker, home-breaker, activist, Mehbooba—is the most insidious patriarchal conspiracy,” she stated, using these women to challenge societal pressures and rigid labels imposed on women.

The setting of Vasant Kunj becomes a character in itself, blending pre-modern and post-modern life. “Vasant Kunj functions as a microcosm in the novel,” Marwah explained, noting its mix of middle-class familiarity and oddities. Her deep connection to this setting helps create a world where the Aunties face societal expectations with humour and resilience.

Marwah considers humour an essential element of her storytelling. “I love laughter, especially when it tinkles with the sound of breaking things,” she remarked. By weaving humour into her narratives, Marwah not only entertains but also subtly challenges societal norms, creating stories that are both engaging and thought-provoking. This delicate balance between light-heartedness and depth enables her to delve into themes such as love, longing, and identity in ways that deeply resonate with readers.

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Her background as a playwright also significantly shapes her writing, particularly through the novel’s dialogue-driven structure. “When I took on the role of novelist, the playwright in me kept whispering in my ear,” she explained. This influence is evident in the immediacy and authenticity of her characters’ voices, pulling readers into the story and making the characters feel vividly real and relatable.

The evolving relationships between the three women in Aunties of Vasant Kunj mirror broader societal shifts, particularly concerning women’s roles and expectations. Marwah blends the feminist idea of “the personal is political” with Buddhist principles of personal responsibility. “The biggest war has to be fought within,” she said, emphasising the internal struggles her characters face as they navigate pre-modern and post-modern values.

Marwah’s portrayal of middle-class Delhi is distinguished by its mix of humour, warmth, and compassion. “This is my world, and I own up to my responsibility in making it what it is,” she reflected, offering an empathetic critique of the society she knows intimately. The rise of social media has also brought her closer to readers. “Due to the development of social media, I am receiving truly heart-warming responses from readers much sooner than I did for my earlier books,” she shared.

Anuradha Marwah’s writing journey is defined by her commitment to creating complex characters and addressing social issues with empathy. Her latest novel, Aunties of Vasant Kunj, exemplifies her ability to balance humour with serious themes, offering a vivid portrayal of middle-class life in Delhi. “It is important to be guided by collective experience. Writers need to get under the skin of vastly different kinds of people; they need to empathize, accept, and love,” she noted.

Her novels, including The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta (1993, 2022), Idol Love (1999), Dirty Picture (2007), and Aunties of Vasant Kunj (2024), are praised for their exploration of contemporary issues and strong character development. Her work is studied in academic courses and published in respected journals, solidifying her status as a significant literary figure.

Aunties of Vasant Kunj is available on Flipkart and Amazon

Published by Rupa Publications India, Price: Rs 395