‘Swallowing the Sun’ by Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri celebrated at US book  launch

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The book includes many romantic and patriotic poems. Puri read aloud a few of the poems and also some scenes from the book for the audience.

On a vibrant Sunday evening on August 4, 2024, the Royal Albert Palace ballroom located in New Jersey was transformed into a cultural  hub as it hosted the US launch of Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri’s debut novel, ‘Swallowing the Sun’.

The event saw a confluence of hundreds of dignitaries from the Indian-American community, including scholars, doctors, lawyers, diplomats and cultural experts, coming together to celebrate a narrative that captures the essence of Indian heritage and its Diasporic journey.

The special event was sponsored by Padmashri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh of Parikh Worldwide Media; Anil Bansal of First National Realty Management; Anil K. Monga of Victory International and Dr. Bharat Barai of Methodist Hospitals. A number of other organizations also supported the event. They showed their solidarity with the Indian American community in its commitment to promotion of cultural and literary richness of India in modern idioms.

‘Swallowing the Sun’ has been described by Amazon “as a novel that not only tells a story but also serves as a bridge connecting the past and present, inspiring the community through its powerful depiction of cultural endurance and the transformative power of understanding one’s roots.”

Lakshmi Puri is a distinguished Indian diplomat and Ambassador. She has had the distinction of being Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations and also hold leadership role at United Nations Women, the global organization which promotes women’s empowerment.

The evening’s highlight was a discussion about the book between Puri and Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya, a physician and a writer herself. Bhattacharya and Puri explored the intricate tapestry of the novel which interweaves the lush poetics of English, Marathi, and Sanskrit, bringing to life the rich cultural mosaic of Marathi heritage for Pan-India and global readers.

During the discussion, Puri revealed that the title ‘Swallowing the Sun’ was not about the legend of Hanuman who jumped to swallow the sun. She said the title was part of a poem by a Marathi poet Muktabai.

The discussion highlighted the personal sagas within the book along with precious source material like the century-old love letters of Puri’s parents. Bhattacharya and Puri discussed how these letters add a profound depth to the historical narrative that sweeps from the coastal landscapes of Ratnagiri and Bombay to the historic environs of Indore, Gwalior, Benaras, Shimla, and Delhi.

Puri’s dialogue with Bhattacharya illuminated how the novel sings the rhythms of India’s freedom struggle, making it especially poignant for Indian Americans.

It was also discussed how the book’s journey through varied landscapes mirrors the life experiences of many immigrants, encapsulating themes of resilience and the quest for identity in a modern and accessible manner that resonates with young and old readers alike across geographies.

Speakers at the event emphasized the novel’s critical acclaim and its importance in promoting universally applicable Indian civilizational values – vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the whole world is one), freedom, self realization, Justice, indomitable human spirit, respect and deification of women as National Shakti.

They discussed Puri’s contributions through her leadership on sustainable development goals and women’s empowerment, noting how her work and the themes within her book continue to inspire and guide the Indian American community.

Deputy Consul General of New York, Dr. Varun Jeff, praised Puri’s diplomatic career, her eloquence and her services to womankind. Describing the book as a celebration of the personal empowerment and achievements of the book’s central character Malati, he drew parallels in struggles and achievements between her and the Indian American community.

Parikh described Puri as an inspiration for women. He said Puri had achieved many firsts like the protagonist Malati in her novel, adding Puri had also broken grounds. Parikh said the struggles of Malati reminded him of his own struggle to complete his medical education while living in a small household with four siblings, all working at higher degrees. He drew a parallel between the lives of Malati and immigrants to the US who also overcame hardships before becoming achievers. Parikh Worldwide Media has been encouraging Indian origin writers, artists and performers, he said. He promised to continue to support them and provide a platform for them to spread their message.

Speakers at the event included Bansal, Monga, FIA President Avinash Gupta, Ravi Batra of Batra Law Firm and Diwali Foundation, Puri’s granddaughter Amaya, FISANA and GOPIO North Jersey President Bharat Rana, and Professor Inderjit Salluja of Indian Panorama. Other dignitaries present included Bharat Rana, President of FISANA and of GOPIO North Jersey, who congratulated Puri on the novel and said most reviewers said it was a must read book which must be included in US Public Libraries. Professor Inderjit Saluja, a senior journalist from Indian Panorama praised the book for showcasing the determination of a young girl growing up in the pre independence India.

At the end of the event, speaking to ITV Gold, Puri said she was very happy to see the reaction and the reception for the US book launch of her novel. She said she hoped it would be appreciated and enjoyed as much by the Indians in the US as was by Indians in India. In her message to the Indian Diaspora in the US, Puri said her novel was about the young people and people of all ages, keeping faith, daring to do the impossible but not improbable, and persevering till they succeed, not caring if it ends in triumph or tragedy, but just keep going. “And the Indian community here has shown that audacity and that courage and ability to dream big and to make the dreams come true. I wish them all the very best that they continue to shine, that they bring the greatness of Indian civilization and its glory to all corners of the world and to another great country that is America. They represent the best of both India and America,” Puri said.