A Goodreads user
A Goodreads user asked Faiqa Mansab:

I love to pick up a book which is traditionally and culturally closer to my roots. And hence I had an overwhelming experience reading your book! And I feel an urge to visit the dargah (if it's not fictional!) where love bloomed. I really wish to know from where the dialogues for Nida were inspired?(because they were always with a pinch of salt, like her tea, like her life, as she says in the book!)

Faiqa Mansab Dear Laveena
Thank you so much for his lovely message. I am so glad you liked This House of Clay and Water. The dargah is real but I have taken liberties with the details. Lahore is known for its Sufi shrines, much like Delhi. The tree of Bhanggi is actually in Mian Mir dargah. The faqirs who wear red are from Lal Hussain dargah. The sema happens at ShahJamal dargah. I have combined all features of the four.
Nida' s zingers are very much her own. That's how we know she is an intelligent woman who is going through a deeply painful time in her life.
I hope you enjoy the answer even half as much as I enjoyed your question.
Best regards
Faiqa
Faiqa Mansab
156 followers

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