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
