Morningside writer selected for prestigious UN residency

PRIYA Dala has becomea force to be reckoned with in Durban’s strong writing community, but as much as she loves writing, Priya confided that if she wasn’t a writer, she would probably be a cook! “I love cooking and baking and would probably have a little cafe,” she laughed.

The writer who has just completed her latest novel, The Architecture of Loss, which will be internationally published next year had more good news when she was selected as one of the writers to represent Durban and South Africa in the United Nations of Writers fall residency. This Women’s month the writer has a lot to celebrate.

“The highlight of my year has been finishing my second novel, having it taken by a leading New York Publishing House, and of course the Residency has been a huge plus,” she said.

The fictional political novel which is set in South Africa and delves into the relationship between a mother who is a doctor and activist in the struggle, and her broken relationship with her daughter. “People always talk about men in the struggle, with only a mention of the the important women, but never about their personal losses. I look at feminine losses, losses of motherhood, womanhood, where they had to almost pretend to act and dress in a more manly way in order to be taken seriously,” she said.

Dala shot to fame in 2014 when she released her debut novel, What About Meera, at the Time of the Writer festival before she was attacked for airing her views on a controversial writer. “I chose to step away from the limelight and protect my family and my children, they come first. It was an easy choice as a woman and mother, this is my career but they didn’t choose it. I focused on my writing and let it speak for itself,” she said.

Dala said she feels a responsibility to tell the unsung stories and was amazed by the unfolding stories she learned during her in depth research of women struggle heroes. “The character is an amalgamation of many struggle heroes , the voices of a thousand women coming through one fictional character,” she explained.

“It is a big challenge to be away for ten weeks of the Residency but friends and family have all supported me and will help my family out while I’m away. I am so excited but also nervous because I will not only fly the South African flag but the Durban flag too!

“I’m the first South African Indian woman nominated, and it’s and absolute honour to be nominated by the Dr Betty Govinden and US Consul general Frances Chisholm. We will be based at the University of Iowa but have an extensive itinerary where we will speak at festivals, universities, writer forums and Writing Institutes around America,” she said.

As a full time writer, wife and mum, Dala says no day is the same as the last. “”I could end up writing till 4am then get the kids ready for school. They are used to the organised chaos and seeing mum bug-eyed in the morning. My hubby and I usually negotiate school run plans in the morning, but sometimes it changes so we live on a big flexibility curve and I’ve learned to juggle,” she said laughing.

Dala said too often women put such pressure on themselves to be perfect. “”I’m not afraid to try something and fail whether its writing or cooking. As a mother I feel its my responsibility to tell my daughter to just try and try again,” she said.

Dala initially studied and enjoyed a career as a physiotherapist for a decade before her childhood passion for writing took over. Speaking about Women’s Day, Dala said it should not be restricted to a day or a month. “Women should be celebrating each other all the time, and Women’s Day or Month should only be a reminder to do just that. People get the wrong idea and think it’s about men buying them flowers or giving them a pat on the back when it should be about women giving each other encouragement and celebrating each other,” she said.

Knowing PZ Dala

1. What is your favourite Durban restaurant, shop, mall and local leisure activity.

I love the L’Aperitivo Venue, Umhlanga – for the eclectic live music. My favourite Durban shop is not a shop…I love the Verulam Market because it makes me feel like I’m home. I am allergic to shopping malls but spend leisure time on the beachfront with my kids.

2. What made you become a writer?

I always wrote, even from the age of six. But I began to take it seriously when I lived in Dublin where the literary culture is so strong. I attended writers workshops and also joined writers circles, and soon enough took the leap into writing my first novel. Why? I can not stop writing. It’s is like a bug that has bitten me…and it makes me happy.

3. What is your favourite kind of meal? And least favourite?

Favourite: I enjoy home cooked vegetarian food…simple farm comfort food. Least favourite food: Braai meat

4. How do you keep fit?

Yoga. and long, lonely walks where I can think.

5. The three best things that make South Africa great?

The most amazing landscape and natural beauty. The surprising mix of people you meet everywhere. The seasons…one long summer …well, Durban at least.

6. Personalities you most admire?

I love Jhumpa Lahiri who writes about the migration of Indian people to other lands. I also love the poetic style of Elif Shafak who paints a picture with words. Dr. Betty Govinden…whose book Sister Outsiders talks of the literary contributions of SA Indian women in history.

7. What are your pet peeves ?

Balloons! I hate the squeaky sound they make.

8. Three things about yourself that most people don’t know (even if they are really trivial)?

I love playing Candy Crush for hours on end. I love ghazals and try to sing them (my poor family has to listen). I have over 1000 CDs.