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Ghosh Gives Ghostly Heroine a Face
11 May
Summary
- Amitav Ghosh collaborated with a forensic artist.
- The artist helped visualize Varsha Gupta, the novel's protagonist.
- Ghosh described the character's features in detail.
Acclaimed Indian-born writer Amitav Ghosh has brought his new novel's protagonist, Varsha Gupta, to life through the skilled hand of forensic artist Stephen Mancusi. Ghosh's novel, "Ghost Eye," set to release in June, centers on a character haunted by visions. Ghosh himself detailed Varsha's appearance, from her distinctive 'scowling' eyes to her full lips and earrings, to Mancusi, a former NYPD forensic artist.
The writer described Varsha, who first appears as a 3-year-old in 1960s Kolkata, with striking clarity. Ghosh noted her dark, smooth hair, large honey-colored eyes, and small stud earrings on discernible earlobes. This detailed description allowed Mancusi to create a composite sketch, reflecting Ghosh's strong initial visualization of the character.
Ghosh also reflected on the novel's origins, suggesting that "Ghost Eye" felt like material channeled from an external source. He compared this experience to that of writers like the Brontë sisters, hinting at a shamanistic quality in the creative process. Ghosh has noted that he occasionally experiences premonitions, similar to the 'ghost eyes' theme in his novel.
