Monojit Lahiri attempts to zoom in on both close-ups and long shots, covering a decade that was, and remains for many, forever special. The book Romancing the 80s, explores this nostalgic era.

Romancing the 80s, published by Om Books, is a heartfelt tribute by Seema Sethi that nostalgically revisits the defining moments of the 1980s. In an exclusive interview with Monojit Lahiri, Seema reflects on the inspiration behind the book, her creative journey, and the challenges of transforming memories into a compelling narrative. From iconic TV shows like Ramayan and Hum Log to cultural symbols like Maruti cars, Vespa scooters, and classic ads like Chal Meri Luna, the book captures a vivid era of transformation and innovation. Seema's deeply personal recollections and engaging storytelling celebrate a decade imprinted in collective memory. Whether you lived through the ‘80s or are curious about this vibrant era, Romancing the 80s offers an evocative and immersive trip down memory lane.

Nostalgia has been described as a wistful and sentimental yearning for a return to a past period engraved in memory—a bittersweet journey through the hazy alcoves of recollection, with brief stops at once-familiar and cherished stations.

To Seema Sethi (author, designer par excellence, graduate of applied arts with red-hot credentials across corporate and professional spaces), this book is clearly a labour of love—a homage, eulogy, and salutation to a momentous decade that impacted her and her contemporaries in ways that are easy to understand but hard to describe. Themes and sepia-tinted snapshots of innovation, transformation, exploration, and discovery; faith and doubt; pluralism and purity; yearning and desire fill its pages.

What better way to express her feelings about that decade and its precious moments, events, and happenings (big and small), totems of a time imprinted on the heart and etched in the soul, than to document them for all to share?

Monojit: How did it all start—this romance with the past, this "yesterday once more" call, Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din?

Seema: A call from within? A desperate desire for a creative pause to reflect on my life’s journey? A sudden, powerful wave of nostalgia for a simpler, more transparent life where less was more, and contentment wasn’t a dirty word? A time when emotions, sentiments, and feelings weren’t consumer durables, flashily hawked to a promiscuous public eager to grab, consume, and discard?

Perhaps all of the above. But in reality, it emerged from a casual conversation with a close friend and occasional team partner about my desire to create something cantered on the 1980s. Why the ‘80s? Because that decade played a crucial role in my personal life and featured several path-breaking milestones that shaped our lives forever. My friend responded enthusiastically and urged me to get started. His positivity inspired me—but once the reality sank in, I panicked! How would I move forward? What about structure, sequence, form, and content? It all seemed like Mission Impossible. Could I even begin to crack it?

For someone used to clients, briefs, and tasks, this was another dimension—to research, identify, and present the life and spirit of the ‘80s in a way that entertained, informed, engaged, and enlightened readers. Was I committing creative hara-kiri? Still, driven by passion for the subject, I took a deep breath and threw my hat into the ring—nervous but ready for this exciting voyage of discovery.

Monojit: Great! But was the transition from idea to paper, concept to action, the ultimate challenge?

Seema: Totally! It felt like alien territory, and confusion was rampant. As I often did when confronted with daunting odds, I let logic and magic guide me. With time and patience, clarity and direction emerged. My writer and I embarked on surreal time-machine trips to recall, revisit, and rediscover defining moments of the extraordinary 1980s.

Some memories that spring to mind include: desert coolers, sleeping on our barsati terrace under the stars, black-and-white TVs with roof-mounted antennas that failed at crucial moments, iconic newsreaders who became stars in their own right, landmark programs like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Hum Log, and Buniyaad, teenage crushes fostered by Archie and Giggles, Khan Market, Narula’s, Depauls, STD booths, transistors, the 1983 World Cup victory, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Maruti cars, video libraries, cassette tape recorders, Vespas, Lambrettas, Rajdoots, classic ads like Chal Meri Luna and Vicks Ki Goli, train journeys, photo studios, disco dances, comics, post boxes, the colourful all-night jagrans, and our man on the moon with Sare Jahan Se Achha echoing across the stars.

Monojit: While interacting with old friends and researching documents, did nostalgia play a starring role, frequently evoking smiles, tears, and even embarrassments over past actions?

Seema: OMG, that would probably need another book! It sure flung open the floodgates of a million memories—often dreamy, sometimes bizarre. It was a fascinating journey into the past, with freeze-frames capturing special incidents, events, and happenings. A wistful reflection on love, longing, and loss for a time we once embraced but can never reclaim.

Monojit: Was the entire experience of creating Romancing the 80s intense, draining, or soul-elevating?

Seema: Cathartic is the word that comes closest. Relief, thrill, excitement, and tension followed. Relief, because after over two years of eating, drinking, sleeping, and living this book, it’s finally out—a huge Aaaah! Thrill, because this is brand-new territory for me, and it came straight from the heart. Seeing it in its finished form is a true Wow!

Tension, because now that the book is out, it’s no longer mine—it belongs to the public. How will they react? Will they like it or dismiss it?

I can only hope and pray for the best. But regardless of its reception, this book has been life-changing for me. It allowed me to revisit the past with renewed passion and purpose, infusing my journey toward the future with fresh zeal and confidence.

As a great poet once wrote so brilliantly: "I can forgive time its sins if it promises to maintain human bonding and safeguard memories."