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Meet Alka Joshi, Author of Six Days in Bombay: A Celebration of Art, Identity, and Courage
Meet Alka Joshi, Author of Six Days in Bombay: A Celebration of Art, Identity, and Courage
San Mateo County Libraries is thrilled to invite you to a very special literary evening with Alka Joshi, the internationally bestselling author of The Henna Artist and the acclaimed Jaipur Trilogy. Join us Tuesday, May 27th at 5:30 PM at the San Carlos Library for an unforgettable event as we Meet Alka Joshi, Author of Six Days in Bombay—her latest historical novel inspired by the life of the revolutionary artist Amrita Sher-Gil.
This in-person author talk will delve into art, history, and the personal journeys that shape unforgettable stories. Whether you’re already a fan of Joshi’s lush, evocative writing or you’re just discovering her for the first time, this event promises deep insight, lively discussion, and a renewed appreciation for stories that challenge, inspire, and move us.
About This Event
The evening will center around Joshi’s new release, Six Days in Bombay, a gripping, lyrical novel set in 1937 colonial India, a place brimming with political unrest, cultural tension, and artistic revolution. Alka Joshi’s latest novel brings to life the fascinating and complex legacy of Amrita Sher-Gil, a prodigious painter often dubbed “India’s Frida Kahlo.”
With vivid storytelling and rich character development, Joshi explores Sher-Gil’s spirit through the fictional lens of Mira Novak, a brilliant and enigmatic artist who shares Sher-Gil’s rebellious streak and multicultural background. Mira, like her real-life inspiration, is bold, political, and unapologetically herself—a woman navigating the intersections of identity, art, and love in a world not ready for her.
The Story Behind Six Days in Bombay
The novel follows Sona, a young Anglo-Indian nurse working in a Bombay hospital, who is unexpectedly swept into Mira Novak’s dramatic world after the artist suffers a heartbreaking miscarriage. Over the course of six intense days, Sona and Mira form a bond rooted in vulnerability, artistic expression, and shared longing.
But when Mira dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, Sona becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear her name and uncover the truth behind Mira’s death, Sona embarks on a harrowing journey through a Europe teetering on the brink of World War II, navigating danger, deception, and the discovery of her own strength and identity.
It’s a story of friendship, loss, justice, and transformation. At its heart, Six Days in Bombay is also a celebration of women who defy expectations and leave indelible marks on the world, even when that world doesn’t yet know how to honor them.
Honoring Amrita Sher-Gil
As the central muse for Mira Novak, Amrita Sher-Gil’s legacy pulses through every page of Joshi’s novel. Born in Budapest to a Sikh father and Hungarian mother, Sher-Gil moved between cultures and continents, challenging conventions both in her art and her personal life. Her portraits of Indian women—raw, melancholic, defiant—broke from colonial styles and introduced a modernist Indian aesthetic that would shape generations of artists.
Though she died at the tragically young age of 28, Sher-Gil’s work and life story continue to inspire. Joshi’s novel offers a powerful tribute to the painter’s revolutionary spirit and enduring mystery, making her accessible to a new generation of readers and art lovers.
Join the Conversation
We’re honored to host Alka Joshi for this intimate conversation about her writing process, her inspiration behind Six Days in Bombay, and her reflections on cultural identity, gender, and the untold stories of history.
📍 Event Location: San Carlos Library
📅 Date: Tuesday, May 27th, 2025
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM
💻 Can’t attend in person? Register at smcl.org/authortalks to receive your free Zoom link and join virtually.
Whether you’re passionate about historical fiction, fascinated by South Asian art, or simply love a compelling mystery wrapped in poetic prose, this evening is for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the author behind one of the most anticipated books of the year!
Flowers at the San Carlos Library, photo by City of San Carlos
Meet Alka Joshi, Author of Six Days in Bombay—and step into a world where art, politics, and the human spirit collide in unexpected and unforgettable ways.
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