Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's Blog

Dear Friends,

I’m delighted to invite you to the upcoming Jaipur Lit Fest Houston, Friday Sept 5-Sunday Sept 7. The festival will be filled with amazing, scintillating events. I have 2 programs on Sat Sept 6: one for adults (12 noon), and one that is a workshop for children ages 8-14 (2 pm). PLEASE COME, AND PLEASE BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF CREATIVITY.

I am especially pleased to be onstage with Rob Franklin. We will be interviewed by writer Tayyba Kanwal, talented alum of University of Houston’s wonderful Creative Writing Program, where I teach. Her first book of stories, Talking with Boys, will be coming out soon. Watch for it. It’s excellent!

Program details and Ticket info (very inexpensive all-day passes, special student discounts, etc.) here: https://jlflitfest.org/houston/city-registrations.

Please share this info with friends.

I look forward to seeing you!

The Houston Museum of Fine Arts has invited me to give another talk on Indian Textiles in Texts. (The last one was standing room only! Thanks to all who came).

This talk is on Sat Aug 16, 10 a.m. at the Museum of Fine Arts, Beck Building. PLEASE SHARE THE INFO WITH FRIENDS. THANKS!

This time, we will be discussing some additional elements as well. Another speaker, Anushka Hosain, will be talking about the Persian translation of the Mahabharat--some pages from this text are in the museum.

The talk will be followed by a guided tour of the Parpia Textiles exhibit with master curator Amy Poster.

I know several of you were out of town last time; I hope you can attend this time.

It is a free talk, but the organizers require attendees to RSVP to esgarcia@mfah.org.

I think it will be a great cultural experience, for high school and college students, too, so if you know any students, please let them know and encourage them to come.

Dear Friends, I would love to invite you to these 4 great events coming up in August and September in Houston. Please mark your calendars! I hope you will join me at these wonderful literary/cultural/nonprofit programs. 

My talk, titled Text and Textile, interweaving Indian literature and Indian fabrics, will be held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, on Sat. Aug 16 at 10 a.m. (This talk, which I gave earlier in the year, was very popular, with a full house, and the museum wants a repeat performance). The talk will be followed by a guided tour of the amazing Parpia Textile collection in the museum. Appropriate for a general audience as well as college students and high-schoolers. Please bring/tell the students in your lives. (Free talk, but you must RSVP to lremond@mfah.org to reserve a seat.) 

Jaipur Literature Festival returns to Houston:  Sept 5, 6, 7 at the Asia Society Museum, with many wonderful new authors from across India and USA. (A fuller list of authors is on their website, where you can buy tickets.)

3. Author Event with 3 authors at Arya Samaj, Sunday, Sept 21, 1 p.m. I will be speaking along with NYT bestseller Varsha Bajaj and Dr. Deepak Bedi, who is a physician/poet/painter. Fun and Interactive. FREE but you need to register. (Flyer with registration QR code is below). 

4. The Daya Annual Fundraiser is on Sun Sept 28, 5 pm. At the Sugar Land Marriott. As many of you know, Daya Inc. helps men and women in abusive situations to start a new life. PLEASE join me and support this admirable nonprofit which is making life better for so many people. This year your support is needed more than ever because government funds have been greatly reduced. (Buy tickets/donate here: https://www.dayahouston.org/gala2025) 

Please forward the information above to interested friends. 

Thanks for your support!

Chitra

Dear Friends,

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year filled with peace, prosperity, health and good books. 

I wanted to share some good news with you. 

My newest novel, Independence, about three sisters who live through the exciting and turbulent 1940s in Bengal, while India is struggling to cast off the British yoke, and who learn what independence really means--for a country and for its women, has won a major award. The award is titled the American Book Award, and I am greatly honored. I am doubly honored because this is the second time I am receiving it. (The first time was for my book of stories titled Arranged Marriage.)

Many of you have asked me for reading recommendations, so this time I will give you a list of books I love to re-read. 

1. Tagore: The Home and the World, because of his sensitive portrayal of women

2. Daphne du Maurier: Rebecca, because of the suspense and great description

3. Margaret Atwood: The Blind Assassin, because of the excellent characterization and plot twist

4. JRR Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings, because of the amazing world building and epic adventure.

I would love to know which books you like to re-read. I'm going to put up posts asking this question on my social media--Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X), so please put your comments there. 

Also, here’s some info about an excellent audiobook on Sita, titled Sita’s Gems—passages from the Ramayan, with commentaries by several knowledgeable women who are authorities on the subject. Also some lovely music. I have a couple of commentaries there, too! Check it out at: https://sitasgems.com/.

The publisher has informed me that if you type in the promo code CHITRA10 when ordering, you’ll get a 10% discount. (I don’t make any money the sales, but it’s a great publication, so I want everyone to know.)

Thank you once again, friends, for your continued support of my writing. 

Chitra

Dear Friends, 

Happy Indian Independence Day! 

Many of you have asked me for a Reading List suited to this occasion--so here is a short but powerful list with some books that really touched me. 

1. Khushwant Singh, Train to Pakistan (novel)

2. Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children (novel)

3. Ramachandra Guha, India after Gandhi (nonfiction)

Of course, I hope you will also read my novel, Independence, about the freedom struggle as seen through the eyes of three sisters in 1940s Bengal. (Now available in paperback in USA and India. There is also a beautiful Hindi translation, titled Azaadi. Please share it with people in your life who like reading in Hindi. An audiobook is also out now.) 

Two excellent events that I'm involved in are coming up in the Houston area very soon. Please come, support & enjoy.

First, an exciting collaboration with other artistes--a dancer, a singer, a harpist, a writer. (See their names below). I will be reading a passage from my novel Independence, interpreted through dance, music and vocals. On Saturday Aug 24, 2-4 pm. FREE event, but you should register here: https://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/event/wandering-words-exploration-stories-through-music-art-movement-moved-july-27

Second: Jaipur Lit Fest is coming to Houston, Sept 6-8. 

My event, along with author Alka Joshi (The Henna Artist) is on Sat Sept 7, 11 a.m., at Asia Society Texas. At 12 noon, same day, same venue, I'll be in conversation with Shashi Tharoor. Please come, support and enjoy!

Details of the entire exciting program, all the speakers, and ticket info are here: https://jlflitfest.org/houston

Finally, I express my sorrow and anger at the brutal rape/murder of Dr. Moumita Debnath on August 9, at R.G.Kar Medical College in Kolkata. I stand in solidarity with those who are seeking justice for her and safety for women all across India. 

Without safety, justice and freedom for women, how can a nation be truly independent? Please join us and make your voices heard. 

Thank you for your support of my work. 

Thank you for all your kind emails and messages. I appreciate each one of them. Please excuse me for being unable to respond personally. 

warmly, 

Chitra 

Happy Women's Month! I hope you are celebrating March with some of the special women in your life and reading books that spotlight women. (All of mine qualify!)

My novel, Independence, is now available in both India and USA in paperback. It's always exciting to hold a new edition of a book in my hands. The hardcover of Independence is currently on sale in USA for a very low price (43% off) on Amazon--that's cheaper than the paperback. 

Some more news: I have learned to make Instagram reels. That's a big accomplishment for me because I am NOT tech-savvy.  A couple of the reels have gone viral, with around 100,000 views -- a pleasant surprise. I'm going to be putting up some special posts during March. Check them out: my Instagram handle is divakarunichitra. Suggestions for future posts are very welcome. 

I returned from my India Book Tour of An Uncommon Love, the biography of Sudha and Narayana Murthy, in mid-February. 

It was hectic, but I was thankful because the book was very positively received. I did events in Delhi, Chennai (Hindu Lit for Life Festival), Jaipur (Jaipur Lit Fest) and Bangalore, with huge audiences everywhere. Below, Sudha Murty and I are enjoying a quiet moment in the Author's Tent at Jaipur  Lit Fest.

And here is a photo of part of the crowd that came to listen to us in spite of the pouring rain. 

In Bangalore, I did a launch with both the Murthys. Their children, Rohan and Akshata (yes, Rishi Sunak's wife), were there, too. The auditorium at St. Joseph's College, where the event took place, was packed. I also signed a lot of books.  

Throughout my trip, I met many schoolchildren and college students, which I really enjoy. The children in the photo below had come from a school in Varanasi to enjoy the Jaipur Lit Fest. For many of them, it was the longest and most exciting trip they had ever taken. 

 I'm happy to let you know that, in addition to being available in India, An Uncommon Love is now available in the US through Amazon in both hardcover and Kindle-format. Here's the link. 

Finally: Thank you to the thousands of readers who came to all my events. (Let me know if you were there). As always, I remain most appreciative of your support of my books. 

Friends, A belated Happy New Year to all. May it bring us peace, prosperity, good health and joy. And of course, many excellent books to read! Happy Pongal/Sankranti and related festivals to all who celebrate this special time.

I cooked pongal, my mother-in-law's recipe, which is a family favorite. Here's how it turned out. 

My new book, my first work of nonfiction, is out! It reveals to readers the early, relatively unknown years of Sudha (philanthropist & writer) and Narayana Murthy (Infosys co-founder). It is filled with anecdotes told to me by the Murthys and is at once funny, surprising, touching and inspiring. I loved writing this book and hope that you will enjoy reading it. It is titled AN UNCOMMON LOVE: THE EARLY LIFE OF SUDHA AND NARAYANA MURTHY.

In India, it is available in bookstores & on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.in/dp/9353456444

In USA, it is available on Kindle. https://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Love-Early-Narayana-Murthy-ebook/dp/B0CPXZC89N 

Below is my brief overall India itinerary—what I have so far. The event on January 26 in Chennai is at 2:30 PM, in Sir.Mutha Concert Hall.

I'll post more details, once I have them, on my social media, especially my public Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/chitradivakaruni, which is accessible to all. Please do check it and let friends know about the events. 

An Uncommon Love has been receiving great attention and I've done several interviews. I am very grateful for the positive reception. I've put up some links/videos on my FB page, Twitter (X) and Instagram--please check them out. 

Additionally, the paperback of my historical novel about Partition, titled Independence, is now available in India. https://www.amazon.in/Independence-Chitra-Banerjee-Divakaruni/dp/9356996067

The paperback of Independence will be available in USA in late February. Meanwhile, the hardcover is on a special sale on Amazon--45% off--great for gifts!  https://www.amazon.com/Independence-Novel-Chitra-Banerjee-Divakaruni/dp/0063142384

And finally, my novel One Amazing Thing has been optioned for a film!

It's very exciting. Fingers crossed that all goes well. I will share more info when I am allowed to announce details.

Hope to see many of you when in India!

Please share this newsletter with friends. Thanks, as always, for your warm support. 

Chitra

Dear Friends. 

Happy Holidays! This is my last newsletter for 2023, so I wish you and your dear ones a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2024 filled with many good books. 

My big news is that my new book, my very first book of nonfiction, will be out later this month from Juggernaut Books. 

Titled  AN UNCOMMON LOVE, it is the untold story of two iconic Indian figures, Sudha Murty and Narayana Murthy--before they became famous as entrepreneurs and philanthropists and (in the case of Sudha) a very successful writer. 

The book traces their early life with all its joys and sorrows, struggles and triumphs. It is a love story as well as the chronicle of founding a company long before the dawn of the start-up culture.  I had a great time spending numerous days with them as I gathered material for this book--including things they'd never discussed with interviewers. 

I am convinced that readers will find their lives fascinating and inspirational. I certainly did. 

A short video about the book is on my FB page, https://www.facebook.com/chitradivakaruni

The book will come out in a couple of weeks but can be pre-ordered now in India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9353456444

There is an option on Amazon USA to buy the book, but they will ship it from India, so it's kind of expensive. (You can check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Love-Early-Narayana-Murthy/dp/9353456444)

If you read it, please let me know what you think. 

In other news, my children's picture book, Grandma and the Great Gourd, is now out in paperback. Based on a Bengali folk tale my grandfather used to tell me, it is one of my favorite books. Many parents and grandparents have written to me to tell me how much fun they and their young ones had reading the book. Here's some more info:  https://www.amazon.com/Grandma-Great-Gourd-Bengali-Folktale/dp/1250895286

Thank you, dear friends, for all your ongoing support of my work. 

Chitra

Dear Friends,

Wishing you all a very happy Festive Season. I hope those of you who celebrate Diwali had a great time, and those who celebrate Thanksgiving will enjoy this special day with dear ones. On Thanksgiving Day, I make a list of the things I’m grateful for—and the appreciation I’ve received from readers like you is always high up on that list.

Speaking of books, I have some exciting news: my latest novel, INDEPENDENCE, has been shortlisted for the prestigious ATTA GALATTA POPULAR CHOICE AWARD. The book that receives the largest number of votes will win. There’s just one week left before the decision. PLEASE VOTE for the book at this website:

https://agblfprize.com/vote2023.php. please tell your friends to vote, too! There’s just a few days left before the decision is made at the end of the month. Thank you!

MORE NEWS: I have a NEW BOOK coming out in India by the end of this year. It is my first work of nonfiction. The publisher and I will announce details soon. Watch for it on my social media. The title will remain a mystery for now, but I’ll say this much: I’m very excited about the subject and feel I’ve grown in a whole new direction while researching and writing it. I’ve found it hugely inspiring and hope you will, too.

And finally: I’ll be VISITING INDIA for the book release in February 2024. I will be at the Jaipur Literature Festival— I thank the organizers for inviting me. I hope to meet many of you there. I don’t know yet which other Indian cities I’ll be visiting. Watch for updates on my social media.

The New Year is coming up soon—so I’ll end by sharing these evergreen lines from Tennyson. Have a wonderful 2024, dear friends.

Chitra Divakaruni

Happy Father’s Day to all of you!

This year I've been thinking, more than ever before, about what makes a good father. Perhaps this is because my newest novel, Independence, set in 1940s India, at the height of the country's freedom struggle, has 2 strong father characters, Nabakumar and Somnath, who support my three heroines in unique and important ways.

What is it that makes a good father? I'm sure the answers are many. To celebrate Father’s Day, I'd like to showcase a tender & beautifully written poem by Clint Smith, titled "Waiting on a Heartbeat," that gives us one answer. It is addressed to his yet-unborn child. (Scroll down for the full poem.)

Please check out this talented poet's collection, Above Ground, from which this poem is taken.

I would love it if you share your favorite poem on parenthood with me.

WAITING ON A HEARTBEAT

— Clint Smith

the doctor says you are there       even though we cannot hear you       & you know what they say about the tree       falling in the forest       & i know i have never heard a tree       i could not see       but i have seen trees i could not hear       little one       are you the tree or the forest or the sound we cannot hear       perhaps you are all three       you are half the size of a fingernail they say       & every time i hear that       i look down at my cuticles       & imagine you sitting there telling me it’s okay       there is nothing       to worry about       there is joy in being a father to a mystery       there is grace in watching the lilac       & knowing its petals will not expand before your eyes       only after you have left       & you little one are my daily reminder       that you do not go to a botanical garden to watch the flowers grow       you go to give thanks for what has already blossomed

Lilac Sprig