10/20/09 Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni to read at Texas A&M

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

• Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni to present a book reading and Q&A, Nov. 5, 2009, 7:30 p.m., Evans 204E

• Event is free and open to the public.

• Her writing focuses on the lives of women and on issues pertinent to immigration and the South Asian experience.

Texas A&M University Department of English presents internationally recognized author and activist Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni in a public reading of her work, followed by a Q & A and book signing, Nov. 5, 2009, 7:30 P.M. in Room 204E, Evans Library. This event is free and open to the public.

Chitra Divakaruni is an award-winning author and poet whose reputation is international and whose work touches on issues of global significance. Her writing focuses on the lives of women and on issues pertinent to immigration and the South Asian experience. Her books have been translated into 20 languages, including Dutch, Hebrew, Russian and Japanese. Two novels, The Mistress of Spices and Sister of My Heart, have been made into films. Woven of history, myth, and magic, her recent novel, The Palace of Illusions, offers a feminist reading of Indian lore. Her short story collection, Arranged Marriage, won an American Book Award. She teaches creative writing at the University of Houston.

In addition to her writing, Chitra Divakaruni works consistently in the community on behalf of women and children. Her efforts include work for Pratham, Daya, and Maitri. Pratham is a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to removing illiteracy in India and works in urban slums, rural outposts, prisons, labor sites, and other areas where children are employed.

Daya is Houston-based nonprofit that works to prevent violence against women and to promote healthy family relationships within the South Asian community. Daya provides counseling, legal advocacy, referrals, transitional housing, and financial support to women and children affected by family violence and sexual assault.

Maitri is a non-profit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that helps families from South Asia facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, and human trafficking. Maitri’s services include transitional housing, legal advocacy, transportation, counseling, childcare, career counseling, peer support, and court accompaniments. Divakaruni was one of the founders of Maitri and continues to serve on the advisory board.

This event is sponsored by the Department of English, the Creative Writing Program, the Women’s Studies Program, the Office of Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity, and the South Asia Working Group.

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contact: Roberta Harris Short, rhshort@tamu.edu