Mother's Day Post: How My Mother Influenced My Writing

My mother, Tatini Banerjee, passed away some years back. I remember her all the time, with fondness, thanks, regret (I was often a bad daughter!) and some heartache. She was a big influence on my life and on my writing. 

On the occasion of Mother's Day, I wrote about her, and a surprising discovery I made after her death, here: http://www.bookreporter.com/blog/2017/05/05/chitra-banerjee-divakaruni-what-my-mother-said

I'd love to know what you think.

And please write a comment with anything you would like to share about your mothers. We honor them by remembering them.

Coming soon: a post on my other mother, my wonderful and kind mother-in-law, Sita Shastri Divakaruni.

MORE INDIA TOUR PHOTOS, PLUS A SPECIAL DISH I ATE WHILE I WAS THERE

The India trip was amazing, and left me with so many memories. I'm sharing a few with you, hoping you will enjoy them. Let me know. 

ROSE ICE CREAM, JAIPUR 

First, the food! At the Jaipur Literature Festival Authors Reception, held at the amazing Rambagh Palace, I had the best ice cream ever, made with real rose petals. I'll have to work it into a novel sometime!

AT THE LALIT HOTEL, DELHI, WITH A BEAUTIFUL SATISH GUJRAL SCULPTURE

There was so much beautiful architecture in different places – from Humayun's Tomb in Delhi to the Mysore Palace. But some of the things I loved the best were modern sculptures, as in the photo above.

GETTING READY TO SPEAK AT ETHIRAJ COLLEGE, CHENNAI

I particularly enjoyed my visits to colleges and universities. I was delighted to see how many places were teaching my books! I visited Ethiraj, Lady Shri Ram and IIT Madras.

CITY PALACE, JAIPUR, HOLDING PALACE OF ILLUSIONS, WHICH HAS THESE DOORS ON ITS COVER

It was a special pleasure to visit this gate in the City Palace of Jaipur. I had been wanting to see it ever since I realized that it was the inspiration for the cover of Palace of illusions!

BOOK SIGNING, JAIPUR

But the most important part of my trip was meeting so many of my readers. I appreciate every one of you! Thank you so much for coming to hear me speak and for buying my books! Please write to me here, on my FB page, or on Twitter, @cdivakaruni.