Interview – Sundiya Kumar
1. Congratulations on the release of your book and on winning the Sahitya Sparsh Awards – Season 3. How does it feel to receive such recognition for Unveiling Shackles?
It feels incredibly emotional. Unveiling Shackles came from a very personal space, and seeing it receive such recognition reminds me that vulnerability has value. This acknowledgment feels like a moment of quiet validationthat the pain, honesty, and courage behind the words truly matters.
2. What inspired you to write this deeply personal and emotionally powerful collection? Was there a specific moment that compelled you to turn your experiences into poetry?
The inspiration came directly from my personal diaries, where I had been quietly documenting my life for years. Those pages held emotions and experiences I wasn’t ready to share. It was my late husband who read those entries and encouraged me to see them as something more than private reflections. His belief in my story gave me the courage to revisit those pages with honesty and strength, and to complete Unveiling Shackles. Writing this book became both an act of healing and a tribute to the faith he had in me.
3. Your background in surveillance, private investigations, and criminology is incredibly unique. How have these experiences influenced your writing style or the themes in your book?
My background in surveillance, private investigations, and criminology trained me to observe closely and pay attention to details that are often overlooked. That perspective naturally found its way into my writing. It influenced not just how I tell the story, but what I choose to focus onthe psychology behind actions, the hidden layers of truth, and the quiet impact of experiences that leave lasting marks. These fields also deepened my understanding of human vulnerability and resilience, which became central themes in Unveiling Shackles.
4. As someone who has lived through cultural constraints and personal challenges, how difficult was it to revisit those memories while writing this collection?
Revisiting those memories was incredibly difficult, but also deeply personal. Writing about experiences I had long kept to myself brought both pain and a quiet sense of understanding. It forced me to face my own vulnerability, but also reminded me of the strength I’ve carried all along. Unveiling Shackles became a way to honor my journey, to make sense of the past, and to share a part of myself that I hope might resonate with others.
5. You explore themes of identity, autonomy, and women’s empowerment. What message do you most hope readers take away from your book?
At its heart, Unveiling Shackles is about inner strength and empowerment. It explores the struggles we face in finding autonomy, especially when external circumstances try to define us. I hope readers take away the message that even in moments of constraint, recognizing your own strength and reclaiming your voice is possibleand deeply transformative.
6. How has your personal journey shaped your perspective on gender equality and cultural expectations, especially within multicultural environments?
My personal journey has given me a deep understanding of how cultural expectations can shape, and limit, a person’s choices especially for women. Living through these experiences taught me the importance of questioning norms and advocating for equality, not just in one culture, but throughout the different phases and diff aspects of life. It showed me that gender equality isn’t just a conceptit’s something we experience every day, and it requires courage, self-awareness, and the willingness to claim your own voice, even when it feels like the world wants you to stay silent.
7. Many readers may connect with your resilience. What advice would you give to individuals struggling with their own familial or cultural limitations?
I would say that acknowledging your own feelings and experiences is the first step toward reclaiming your voice. It took me 30 years to truly find mine, so it’s important to remember that this process doesn’t happen overnight. Resilience isn’t about ignoring challengesit’s about understanding them, learning from them, and gradually finding the courage to make choices that reflect who you really are. Even small steps toward autonomy are victories, and over time, they can lead to profound change.
8. Your work sparks important conversations about freedom and emotional healing. Were there any authors or poets who inspired your voice or helped you through your writing process?
The person who truly inspired and guided me through the writing of Unveiling Shackles was my late husbandhis belief in me gave me the courage to share my story. Beyond that, it was my ancestors’ journey during the Girmit era and my own traumatic life experiences that I felt needed to be documented. Writing this book became a way to honor the struggles of those who came before me, to share my own journey, and to preserve these stories for future generations so they might understand resilience, courage, and the strength it takes to overcome challenges.
9. Now that you are a retired author, do you see yourself writing more in the future, or is Unveiling Shackles the story you most needed to tell?
Unveiling Shackles was the story I most needed to tellit carried years of pain, resilience, and healing. Being legally blind has put writing on the back burner, but the stories I carry inside me are still very much alive. I don’t know if or when I’ll write again, but the desire to share those experiencesthe lessons, the struggles, the strengthremains, and that hope keeps a part of me ready to tell them someday.
10. Are you active on social media, and how can readers connect with you to follow your journey or reach out with their thoughts on your book?
I’m active on several social media platforms and love connecting with readers. You can find me on Facebook at Sun-diya Kumar, on Instagram, and on tic tock. Hearing how Unveiling Shackles resonates with people is incredibly meaningful, and I welcome messages, reflections, and conversations from anyone who wants to share their thoughts.
11. Where can readers purchase Unveiling Shackles and stay updated on any future projects you may pursue?
Unveiling Shackles is available at major book retailers, including Amazon, IngramSpark, Indigo Chapters, and Barnes & Noble. Readers in India can also find the book through Pothi.
To stay updated on future projects, news, and releases, you can follow me on my social media.
12. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today. Is there anything you would like to say directly to your readers around the world who have supported your work?
I want to sincerely thank all my readers worldwide for your support of Unveiling Shackles. Your encouragement motivates me to keep speaking about my book on different platforms and sharing its message with women who need to hear it. Knowing that my work can inspire, empower, or give hope makes every conversation and discussion worthwhile. Thank you for being part of this journey and helping amplify voices that deserve to be heard.
