Category: Historical fiction
Publisher: Speaking Tiger Books
Rights: Audio rights available
In The Sari of Surya Vilas, Allarmelu embarks on a quest for her mother’s wedding sari, a cherished heirloom stolen within her family in 1909 Madras. As she delves into a hidden world of Russian dancers and unacknowledged mistresses, Allarmelu confronts the silences of both family and British rule.
The novel also unravels the story of a girl sent to England in 1857, renamed Christina, and her connection to the sari’s symbols of an incendiary past. Vayu Naidu’s rich narrative traverses family secrets, betrayals, and promises, giving voice to marginalized individuals across Madras and the Deccan in a poignant tale woven with period detail.
The author: Vayu Naidu