Thinking Aloud

Compelling and personal essays that underscore the importance of inclusive storytelling in understanding our world.

In Thinking Aloud, Jerry Pinto examines the notion of Bollywood as a national cinema in a linguistically diverse India. He traces its evolution from films from the 1940s-50s like Kismet and Mother India--which contributed to national identity through its themes of sacrifice and unity--to male-centric cinematic narratives of the 1970s-80s. Writing on Bollywood, biography, translation, and teaching with candor and empathy, Pinto argues that Bollywood’s simplistic, good-versus-evil narratives have deeply influenced the public’s perception of their past.

Drawing from his translations of works such as Sachin Kunalkar’s Cobalt Blue and Daya Pawar’s Baluta, Pinto stresses the importance of biographies in providing personal insights into historical events, challenging monolithic narratives, and enriching our understanding of history through diverse, often overlooked, experiences. He delves deeply into the vital role of translation in bridging cultural and linguistic divides. This book also explores Pinto’s unconventional journey as an educator. Reflecting on his reluctant start as a teacher at fourteen and his innovative methods promoting the inclusion of marginalized voices, he offers a poignant commentary on the transformative power of education.

Jerry Pinto is a writer and poet based in Mumbai. He has published three novels, two volumes of poetry, and one non-fiction book. An acclaimed translator, Pinto has also published landmark translations from Marathi and Hindi. In addition, he’s published books for children and edited several volumes of his essays.