"She takes ancient stories and makes them quite modern." Meant as a criticism, poet, playwright and bestselling author Nikita Gill takes the barb as a compliment. In this conversation, she talks about her latest book, Hekate, and why ancient stories resonate today.

From The Seas, a Poet Emerges:
She set sail from Mumbai to Madagascar with her merchant navy father, and it was there, at twilight, as local poets gathered, that she discovered the true power of verse: not just as an art form, but as a community builder and a form of protest.

The Gift of Invisibility:
Before becoming a literary success, Nikita worked as a cleaner and a caregiver. Both experiences, Nikita says, were instructive for her as a writer. They taught her about class, about race, and what it means to be invisible -- she calls it a “gift.”

Where’s Home?
Born in Belfast to Kashmiri and Punjabi parents, Nikita is familiar with lands that carry contentious histories. Having lived in many countries, she is at home in several places at once. Home doesn’t have to be a “physical” space. It’s where your people are.

The Difficult Woman:
Nikita reflects on the community she’s built around her poetry: how the hate comments have fuelled her ambition, what it means to be a "difficult" woman, how that surfaces in her work, and why her writing will always be sacred, and true to her.

Featured Clips in this episode:
Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 | Day 3 Highlights & Promo

Credits:

Host: Mallika Kapur

Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.

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This is a Maed In India Production

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome
Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Producer: Rachna Sukuru
Assistant Producer: Karan Solanki
Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar
Artwork: Alika Gupta