Henna Artist

“ˢᵘᶜᶜᵉˢˢ ʷᵃˢ ᵉᵖʰᵉᵐᵉʳᵃˡ—ᵃⁿᵈ ᶠˡᵘⁱᵈ—ᵃˢ ᴵ’ᵈ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵃʳᵈ ʷᵃʸ. ᴵᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ. ᴵᵗ ʷᵉⁿᵗ. ᴵᵗ ᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵘᵗˢⁱᵈᵉ, ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ. ᴵⁿˢⁱᵈᵉ, ᴵ ʷᵃˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵐᵉ ᵍⁱʳˡ ʷʰᵒ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵈᵉˢᵗⁱⁿʸ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ˢʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵃˡˡᵒʷᵉᵈ. ᴰⁱᵈ ᴵ ʳᵉᵃˡˡʸ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵖʳᵒᵛᵉ ᴵ ʰᵃᵈ ˢᵏⁱˡˡ, ᵗᵃˡᵉⁿᵗ, ᵃᵐᵇⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿ, ⁱⁿᵗᵉˡˡⁱᵍᵉⁿᶜᵉ? ᵂʰᵃᵗ ⁱᶠ—”We frequently come across stories that fill us with both delight and disappointment. The Henna Artist is one such story in my life. Our protagonist, Lakshmi, finds herself entangled among the rich and affluent of Jaipur in a post-independent India. Even the Maharani herself. She is an independent, self-made, talented woman who has risen from the ashes of an abusive and failed marriage. She has honed her skills as an artist to apply henna to the upper-class ladies of Jaipur and reached them through the age-old method of word of mouth. Even if she is the best henna artist the city has ever seen, we still see casteism's shadows lingering in India's new century.The book has done a great job of explaining the significance and importance given to Henna or ‘Mehendi” as we call it in India. This complicated relationship along with Lakshmi’s skills in Ayurveda, makes her an indispensable part of the elite society and she was smart enough to use it.The co-existence and usage of Ayurveda alongside the Western medicine was beautiful and an irrefutable truth. Even today we use our own family recipes and “kitchen treatments” before relying on medicines. And it was a treat to see it in written word.Though in her urgency to earn money quickly she could not, or would not, see further than the sight of her wallet, and allowed the men to act as they pleased and take advantage of her skills for their pleasure.Then enters Radha, her younger sister whom she doesn't know, or, as I see it, Lakshmi herself in a different life, if she had remained unmarried in her village, ignorant of the selfish world's privileges only for men. Though it seems unlikely that such well read women could remain that unaware, but the novels and movies in such times did offer strong women in an idealistic world. They provided Radha with a romanticised picture of the present and hope for the future, providing a pleasant escape from her dismal and unfamiliar reality. And I am extremely thankful that Alka Joshi wrote about the unidealistic world of books and movies and their often-misinterpreted meanings that we learn.But for anybody reading this review, you must understand that I am Indian and could easily spot all the loopholes and truths stretched long in this story. Yes, it is a book about an aspect of India, but it is still not. We have come a long way where all the stories about India are represented with the glitter of the upright royalty and the stink of the sewers. I realise that this book has been written largely for the international audience in mind who would thoroughly enjoy the book, but the book did leave a strange aftertaste for me. I realise it is either the publisher’s decision or the author’s choice, but these are my personal thoughts. It’s a great book, one I will go back to again and even read the squeal ‘The Secret Keeper of Jaipur”, but this book is not that of the India I know of. And does this come under the bracket of #letreadownvoices is debatable.

I absolutely love ballsy, flawed and unconventional heroines, who not only subvert against societal norms but do so without apology. This is why I loved the Henna Artist by Alka Joshi so much. The gorgeous descriptive writing was just the cherry on the cake.Set in post-independence India of the 50s, the story chronicles Lakshmi Shastri’s life. This talented henna artist eeks a living painting the bodies and dare I say minds of the rich and privileged women of Jaipur with her art and her ideas, but these are not her only talents. Lakshmi is a healer. Everything she knows about the recuperative power of herbs she learned from her ‘gentle saas’, whom she fondly remembers throughout the book. For a change, it is refreshing to find a book with a positive mother-in-law character. Even though we never actually meet this lady, she sounds perfectly lovely.The start of Lakshmi’s story is all too familiar. A girl born into poverty married off in her teens to a man who is physically and mentally abusive. She stays in the marriage for two years but finally runs away when she can no longer stand it—an act which forever leaves her estranged from her family.Lakshmi escapes to Agra, where she uses her knowledge of herbs to help the courtesans of Agra to keep pregnancies at bay, it is here that she learns the art of making henna. For a while, she paints the bodies of the women she works for, but a chance meeting with a Rajput royal changes everything.And it’s not what you think.Samir Singh recognizes her talent and invites her to Jaipur. He introduces her to his wife Parvati, and through her connections, Lakshmi makes inroads into the upper echelons of Jaipur society. She makes potions and lotions and oils for the ladies, paints their hands and their bodies, for the men, she provides ‘sachets’ that keep their mistresses and their concubines from getting pregnant.Things are going well for thirteen years until one day her ex-husband shows up out of the blue one day and brings with him a shy, waif of a girl, a spitting image of Lakshmi—the sister she never knew she had.Everything turns upside down when Radha enters her life, sometimes for the better, a lot of the time for the worst. The two sisters go on a journey of self-discovery and learn what it is to be a family.There are so many reasons why I loved this book. For one, I am really grateful that the book does not romanticize teenage pregnancies or motherhood. Being a mom is great (I am one), but it is not the end all be all, and there is a point in the story where Lakshmi unabashedly says that her fulfilment in life lies outside these bounds—yes, thank you!I want to see more books where women make choices that defy gender norms.The book also touches on the importance of reproductive rights. It is a human right, and when you do not give women the right to choose for themselves, you rob them of their freedom. I can’t believe we are still fighting for this even today—a sad state of affairs.Lakshmi is smart, talented, hardworking and an astute businesswoman. She is independent and does not depend on a man to provide for her. It is rare to find an Indian book set in the 50s where you have a woman making her way in the world—more of this, please!But above all, Lakshmi has a large heart. She is kind, she is empathetic, and she is non-judgemental. She takes in her sister without hesitation, and (sort of) adopts an orphan boy named Malik. She even forgives her ex-husband for his mistakes and makes peace with Parvathi Singh (her nemesis).I had some problems with the book, but they are nothing major. At times, it almost feels like Lakshmi has god-like powers—she can heal anything! From depression to infertility to dermatitis. Sometimes her remedies are even more effective than modern medicine (really?), but I was happy to let go of my disbelief for everything else that the book offered, which was quite a lot.

Have been a part of live chat @omqnbookloversclub with her got to know more about the book and can't control myself to buy this. The author Mrs.Alka Joshi has beautiful penned down the era when everything was shut for women a small window appeared and how the life of a women changed. Marvelous work ,amazed and stunned sooner will be getting hands on her rest two books on this series.

This stunning novel is one of my top three favourite books I’ve read so far this year. (And considering I’ve read nearly 60 so far since January, that’s saying something.) Top two, actually. Tied for first place, the more I think about it. (My other fave so far is Where the Crawdads Sing, in case you’re wondering.)My knowledge of India and Indian culture is somewhat limited; I live in Glastonbury, a very new age hippie place (which I love), so I’m constantly hearing people talk about their life-changing trips to ‘Mother India’ where they inevitably change their names to something like ‘Jaya’ or ‘Deva’ or something like that. (And yup, it always seems to be white women who do this, and as a white woman I’m aware of the privilege that allows us to go on a jolly to India and come back with a name given by a ‘guru.’) With this in mind, it was refreshing to read a story set in India, written by an Indian woman, with an insight into what life there is actually like, without any of the white nonsense about spiritual enlightenment. Forgive me, I’m rambling.Back to the book itself. The book walks the line between character-driven and plot-driven story perfectly: the characters are richly developed; there aren’t any clear-cut ‘villains.’ Everyone’s motives are understood and you find yourself sympathising with and understanding why they behave they way they do. The plot unfolds gently, with enough happening along the way to keep those who favour a plot-driven story interested. This is literary fiction at its most approachable- intelligent yet accessible, educational yet entertaining.The descriptions are lush and evocative- you can almost smell the spices of the food, hear the sounds of the streets, and feel the coolness of henna being drawn onto your skin. You fall in love with the characters, especially the heroine, Lakshmi. And I defy you not to fall in love with little Malik. I’d read a sequel about him alone. (Hint hint, Ms Joshi, if you’re reading this.)I won’t say much about the plot itself, cuz if you haven’t noticed by now, I tend to overshare and don’t want to ruin the story for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. All I will say is be prepared to go on a journey, to learn, to laugh, and to find out that things have a way of working out for the best in ways you didn’t expect.The author has thoughtfully included a glossary of Indian language in the back of the book, as well as a brief explanation of the caste system- and recipes, which I fully intend to try out ASAP. I loved this book so much that I’m going to order the actually physical copy of it as soon as it’s available again. (I generally prefer an actual book over a kindle version, but it wasn’t going to be in stock for a while, and I was too impatient to read it so ordered it on kindle.)Five stars aren’t enough. Ten stars, at least.

After settling down to read The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi I knew I wasn't going to be doing anything else that evening and it was going to be the wee small hours before I would be seeing my bed.The author took me by the hand and transported me to India a country I have visited several times and find fascinating - turning through the pages I was in Jaipur, in the 1950's a country still ruled by strict social etiquette and a class system.I was a little apprehensive when I turned the first few pages and there was a biography of characters. Usually this means so many characters and little development of them and confusion, but I didn't need it and I need not have worried.The main character is Lakshmi who fled an abusive marriage years before and ended up in Jaipur. Over the years she has developed a skill of being a henna artist and has a long list wealthy clients. She is a proud woman who has worked hard, and has saved enough to purchase a home of her own.As Lakshmi continues to work to pay off her debts for the house he ex abusive husband arrives bringing with him a surprise sister. A sister she didn't know existed, thirteen year old Radha a vulnerable teenager.As with all families their relationship is tested to the max and Lakshmi is torn with guilt.Lakshmi is also a healer with herbal remedies and she uses the herbal remedies at times to help women who don't want to be mothers, or who are struggling to become mothers. Cultural challenges develop between city life and village life.This is a book that will take you through each of the characters lives and the understanding of how people can change and make changes. The descriptions are so clear you really can smell the herbs, hear the peoples hearts breaking.Some great secondary characters in the story, I was fascinated by the caste system and the way the women are treated as well as learning about the henna painting and how it plays an important part of these women lives.Such a colourful story, with culture and characters galore. Unexpected, expected I was hooked to the many swirls to the story. Shattered, happy, perplexed, surprised it has it all. The ending put a great smile on my face. I am hoping that their will be a second book so we can continue with Lakshmi's new adventures.

Alka Joshi paints with a pen!The descriptive quality of her writing is colourful beyond any imagination. While reading this book, every sense is stimulated: you smell, taste, see, hear, feel all the wonders of life in India in the 1950s, shortly after gaining independence.But that isn’t all, we are drawn into Lakshmi Shastri’s life, the people of every caste who influenced her, and whose life she influenced as well.This book is a wonderful read; I can’t wait to start the next part of The Jaipur Trilogy.

This book has a great story and dips into many different levels of life in India even royalty. I was fascinated by the beautiful descriptions of the clothes especially the saris, the food some of which was exquisite. the homes, the parties and the life styles. I was also very interested in the use of herbs and plants and different beliefs.The little boy character Malik brought humour and affection into the story. I loved it.

I really enjoyed this book about an Indian girl forced into marriage at the age of 15 and how she eventually makes her own way. It’s well written and well researched and certainly paints a picture of the life that might be led by a henna artist in the 1950’s. It didn’t disintegrate into the usual love story!