Interview with R. Seshasayee, corporate honcho-turned-novelist

The industry veteran says he wanted to question the stereotyping of art and religion with his book ‘The Dance of Faith’

Zaheer, a Muslim boy from a small village at the foot hills of Yercaud, has been obsessed with dance from childhood. His early lessons are from Tamil films. Stars like Padmini and Vyjayanthimala hold him in thrall. Rhythm, movements and expressions play in his head constantly even as his classmates sneer. He wants to learn Bharatanatyam but his father will not allow him to pursue his passion. However, no obstacle is going to deter him from his chosen path.

The Dance of Faith, a multilayered novel by R. Seshasayee, raises questions about the stereotyping of art and religion. Can a practising Muslim become a Bharatanatyam dancer? The book delves into the question of identity as the protagonist pursues a life in art.

Seshasayee has held several leadership positions in the corporate world. He was executive vice-chairman and managing director of Ashok Leyland, chairman, Infosys, and chairman, IndusInd Bank.

Currently, vice-chairman at Hinduja Group and independent director at Asian Paints, the 74-year-old explains his choice of subject for his debut novel. Edited excerpts:

You are one of the senior industry leaders in the country, and on the board of so many companies. How did you find the time to write fiction?

I give credit to the lockdown. Although I started the book many years ago, I was able to make substantial progress during the lockdown, when, like everyone else, I was left with time that was earlier spent on waiting at airports and in unproductive meetings!

One would have assumed your first novel to be about the corporate world. Why didn’t you want to do that?