THE MANY CULTURES WE INHABIT

Namrata Patel is the best-selling author of Scent of a Garden and The Candid Life of Meena Dave.

She examines diaspora and dual-cultural identity among Indian Americans in her writing and explores this dynamic while also touching on the families we’re born into and those we choose.

Name: Namrata Patel. It’s a derivation of a Sanskrit word, namra (inner peace) however, the reason I have the name is because my mom was reading a novel with a character named Namrata when she went into labour with me, so it’s debatable if I’m more like the character or if I really embody the Sanskrit meaning.

Currently: The Curious Secrets of Yesterday, my latest book, is out this month. A woman’s ambitions clash with familial expectations in this novel about generational secrets and self-discovery. Raised by her mother and grandmother and tutored in the healing wonders of spices, Tulsi Gupta is expected to carry on the ancestral tradition from her family’s Salem spice shop. Restless and reluctant, Tulsi yearns to follow her own path – destiny has other plans. As Tulsi digs into the past and secrets come to light, she’s determined to heal old family wounds and find her true purpose – and maybe even love (review on page 24).

Favourite colour: Sapphire blue.

Favourite outfit: My aesthetic is minimalist so mainly solid colors. My go to is a bright top with dark pants.

Favourite Bollywood star: I grew up with a dad who is a huge music fan, we listened to Bollywood music more than watched and so, Lata Mangeshkar.

Favourite Hollywood star: I’m really more into TV than movies and right now I’m very impressed by Alan Tudyk who stars in a SyFy series called Resident Alien.

Favourite movie: I have watched DDLJ, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Hum Saath Saath Hain over a dozen times.

Favourite singer: Sara Bareilles.

Favourite song: Between the Lines by Sara Bareilles.

Favourite TV show: Psych.

Favourite ice cream flavour: Chocolate.

Favourite cuisine: Gujarati and South Indian.

Favourite restaurant: There is a Chinese place about 45 minutes from Boston that is my go-to, Sichuan Gourmet.

Favourite sport: Cycling. I am obsessed with Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and all the other road races.

Favourite sportsperson: Tadej Podcar (cyclist).

Favourite book: Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

Favourite activity: Travel.

I hang out: With friends and family.

I’m freaked out by: Insects and creepy crawlers.

I need: Air, water, food, shelter, and clothing.

I want to be: Someone who leaves any place better than they found it.

My role models: My parents, because they ventured into the unknown by moving to America with two young kids and no money and built a life for us where my sister and I can pursue our dreams.

Tips to save the planet: Eat less meat. Buy less things.

In a perfect world: Everyone would have access to live their best lives and there would be no such thing as wealth inequity.

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MEET NAMRATA

THE MANY CULTURES WE INHABIT