As a child in India, Shabnam Surita thought he had nothing in common with Harry. But 25 years after the first Harry Potter book was published, she recalls the parallels in their life stories.
Harry Potter fascinated children around around the globe – also our author
In 2005 I moved from Silchar, my lovely little hometown in northeastern India, to Kolkata, one of the largest cities in the country.
What I left behind: a life that didn't give me the chances I wanted. I wanted to start over, but at my elite Catholic girls' school in Kolkata, I was never made to forget where I came from.
My friends at this school spoke perfect English while I still had a heavy accent. They watched the series “Friends”, listened to the music of Avril Lavigne – and read “Harry Potter”.
I, on the other hand, spoke Bengali and Hindi – interspersed with slang – and listened to the soundtrack Films in Hindi and the songs of popular Bengali bands.
Many children dreamed of this: like Harry Potter in learn magic at Hogwarts
Although I saw the first three Harry Potter films at the Children's Film Festival in my hometown of Silchar, I have to admit that I only understood about 40 percent of the dialogue at the time. The universe of Harry Potter seemed miles away.
Until one day my uncle came to visit from the USA with a gift: a Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. This was my chance to finally find out what the Harry Potter hype was all about. I was 13 years old then, Harry – in the book – 11.
I was immediately drawn into the read as I was overjoyed to read about a boy who had to explore a new school and life just like me.
Not just any story
As I devoured one Harry Potter book after another, I found myself feeling closest to Hermione, Harry's best friend. She, too, often took refuge in the pages of a good book.
This is what the cover of the German edition of the first “Harry Potter” volume looked like
The fact that she often read books that were not intended for her age group reminded me of the time when I Fyodor Dostoyevsky ” Guilt and Punishment” read – as a ten-year-old, in the Bengali translation.
But I can't say exactly when the Harry Potter books became more than just a great read; when they started giving me important messages for my life as a “Muggle”, as a person who can can't do magic.< /p>
I gradually came to realize that Harry didn't fight Voldemort because a prophecy made it inevitable. He fought because he chose the path of righteousness. He fought to stand up for his values.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” (2001)
So I read how Harry helped Dumbledore's army rise up against Voldemort and protect Hogwarts: the school where all young witches and wizards learn magic. Hogwarts reminded me of my time at university, speaking out as an 18-year-old for more democratization and student participation. While Harry used a wand and spells, I used passionate calls.
'What would Harry do now?'
Harry's story taught me what it means to recognize injustice and do something about it. The last time I lost a loved one, I asked myself, “What would Harry do?” I recalled how Harry dealt with the death of his godfather Sirius Black in the books.
Harry Potter is a role model for many children
Harry's role in my life has changed over the years: from a boy I could identify with to an adult who finds his way and inspires me to do the right thing.
Me spotted my Harry Potter devouring the books. I also liked the films and joined the hype about them. I remember having a Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire poster and hiding it behind my closet when my friends came to visit. Still, I bragged about owning the poster at school.
In this film, the handsome Robert Pattison portrays the character of Cedric Diggory, a student who is murdered by Voldemort. However, it wasn't the film, it was J.K. Rowling's written word that helped me process feelings of sadness and loss.
The actor Robert Pattinson (right) in 2005 at the film premiere of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” in London
25 years later
Some of my university friends have since dissected the world of Harry Potter scientifically, creating new and nuanced critiques of this literary universe in the process. But somehow I managed to evade these criticisms. I think it's because of the great nostalgia I feel for these books.
Harry Potter inventor J.K. Rowling with the Harry Potter cast at the 2001 film premiere
Because when I was struggling to navigate a big city, Harry made me feel like I wasn't alone.
Hermione let me know that it's okay to do the things I want to do and not what other people want me to do. The courage of Molly Weasley and Lilly Potter helped me rethink my ideas about mothers and their political role. Harry Potter gave me so many good messages – the list is endless.
Adaptation from English: Christine Lehnen.
On June 26, 1997, the first volume was published the wizard's apprentice Harry Potter by the author J.K. Rowling under the title “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” published by Bloomsbury in London. The Carlsen-Verlag published the German translation “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” in 1998. The film adaptation of the novel followed in 2001 and has now sold over 100 million copies.