The Storyteller

Acclaimed author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni on contemporising mythology and exploring the question of identity in a globalised world

- Neha Kirpal

If you love fiction, you probably own at least one book by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. For those who have experienced blissful getaways into the pages of this Indian-American author’s phenomenally successful works such as A Palace of Illusions (2008), the award-winning author, poet, activist and professor at the University of Houston has now come up with a new novel The Last Queen (HarperCollins, 2021). The story of Rani Jindan Kaur, this work of historical fiction once again brings together Chitra’s signature – and addictive – storytelling with a tale from India’s ancient past. We caught up with the bestselling novelist about her writing and activism.

Why did you decide to make Rani Jindan Kaur the subject of your latest book?

How were you personally moved by her life? The first story I heard about Rani Jindan was of how the British forcibly separated her from her son, Maharaja Dalip Singh, when he was only nine years old. The British imprisoned Jindan, but she escaped and walked across northern India to Nepal where she received asylum. By the time she saw her son again, many years had passed and she was almost blind. When she met him again, he had been converted to Christianity and had cut off his traditionally long hair. When she touched his head and realised this, it broke her heart and she wept loudly. This emotional moment went deep into my heart.