I love visual art. I painted for many years when I was younger. I have studied modern/contemporary Indian art a bit and am very impressed with the talent in India. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni artbitecontemporary Change image and share on social
Immigration was a huge force in changing my outlook. I moved to America 30 years ago. I had to reassess my beliefs, especially about women's roles. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni agoamericabelief Change image and share on social
I interviewed a lot of people in India, and I asked my mother to send me a lot of Bengali books on the tradition of dream interpretation. It's a real way for me to remember how people think about things in my culture. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni askbengalibook share on social
I have no particular reader in mind, but a passionate desire to tell an honest, moving story. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni desirehonestmind Change image and share on social
Two great and terrible truths of war are these: War is easy to enter into, but difficult to end. And ultimately, in war there are no winners. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni difficulteasyend Change image and share on social
Dissolving differences has always been an important motive for my writing, right from 'The Mistress of Spices.' Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni differencedissolveimportant Change image and share on social
I type everything on my computer. I carry a writer's notebook everywhere, in case I am struck by an idea. I forget things unless I write them down. I'm planning to learn how to dictate into my cellphone; I think that will be very helpful, too. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni carrycasecellphone share on social
I've been interested in dreams myself for a long time, and it's a big part of the Indian tradition, especially where I was brought up in Calcutta in my family, which is quite traditional. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni bigbringcalcutta Change image and share on social
Sometimes what is 'real' because it takes place in the physical world, like 9/11, is so unreal on the level of the soul. Then other things, which in terms of the physical world seem so magical and unbelievable, on the level of the soul seem very real. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni levelmagicalphysical share on social
It's different for different people, and for a woman it's important to look as good she wants to look. But you don't need to do it for someone else or to impress some male out there. You do it for your own sake. You wear what makes you feel good, you put make-up and jewellery - whatever gives you self-confidence. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni confidencefeelgood share on social