India is a complex and ancient civilization with a rich and varied literary heritage. The diversity of languages within India has led to extremely diverse literary traditions. In discussions about Indian literature, only certain kinds of stories get highlighted. Only a certain kind of authors talked about it.

A patriarchal and stratified society means that these authors are generally male. Women writers in India have contributed a great deal to Indian Literature and India has produced some extremely fine female authors. That their work is often overlooked is a sad reflection on Indian society.

To help you catch up with some of the finest writing by women writers in India, we compiled a list.

It is by no means comprehensive, but hopefully will be a starting point for our readers to explore women writers in India across genres.

List of Women Writers in India

Ashapoorna Devi

Ashpoorna Devi was a Bengali poet and novelist. She was known for her well-articulated feminism. Her novels won her critical acclaim. She is also known for her contribution to children’s literature.

• Language: Bengali
• Notable Works: Pratham Protisruti, Subarnalata, Bokul Katha
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Jnanpith Award, Padma Shri

Mahasweta Devi

Mahasweta Devi was also a Bengali author. She was a celebrated activist and a champion of social and political change. Her writing tended to focus on socio-political issues. She is best known for her many novels and short story collections.

• Language: Bengali
• Notable Works: Rudali. Agnigharba, Hajar Churasir Maa
• Awards: Jnanpith Award, Sahitya Akademi Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan

Kamala Surayya

Also known as Kamala Das, Surayya wrote in both English and Malayalam. She wrote short stories and poems, but her best-known work is her extraordinary autobiography.

• Language: Malayalam, English
• Notable Works: Ente Katha (My Story), Summer in Calcutta, Thanuppu
• Awards: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Muttathu Varkey Award, Asian World Prize for Literature

Namita Gokhale

Namita Gokhale is an internationally acclaimed author and one of the founder-directors of the Jaipur Literature Festival. Apart from her fiction writing, she has also written for publications like the Times of India and The Indian Express.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Things to Leave Behind, A Himalayan Love Story, The Puffin Mahabharata
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, International Dublin Literary Award, Sushila Devi Literature Award

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Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy is one of the most famous writers and social commentators in contemporary India. She has written screenplays, novels, and many essays and articles.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: God of Small Things, Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Capitalism: A Ghost Story
• Awards: Man Booker Prize, Sahitya Akademi Award, Sydney Peace Prize

Anita Desai

Anita Desai is one of India’s most famous authors. She has written various novels and is known for her sensitive portrayal of the rich inner lives of her characters.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Clear Light of Day, Fasting, Feasting, Where Shall We Go This Summer?
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Bhushan, Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize

Sudha Murty

Sudha Murty is a writer and educator and is best known for her remarkable contributions to children’s fiction. She writes in both Kannada and English and has written prolifically for decades.

• Language: English, Kannada
• Notable Works: Mahashweta, How I Taught My Grandmother To Read and Other Stories, Dollar Sose
• Awards: Padma Shri, R.K Narayan’s Award for Literature

Nayantara Sehgal

The niece of Jawaharlal Nehru, Nayantara Sehgal is part of the most influential family in the political history of India. She has written memoirs and various novels. She returned her Sahitya Akademi Award as a mark of protest in 2015, for the crushing of dissent.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Rich Like Us, Prison and Chocolate Cake, The Fate of Butterflies
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Times of India Lifetime Achievement Award

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Meena Kandasamy

Meena Kandasamy is a writer and activist, whose work is largely related to the feminist and caste annihilation movements in India. She has also worked as a translator, actor, and article writer.

• Language: English, Tamil
• Notable Works: When I Hit You, Touch, Ms. Militancy
• Awards: Charles Wallace Trust India Fellow

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Geetanjali Shree

Geetanjali Shree is a Hindi language novelist and short story writer. Apart from fiction, she has written critical works on Premchand.

• Language: Hindi
• Notable Works: Mai, Ret Samadhi
• Awards: Booker Prize (2022), Crossword Book Award (2001)

Anita Nair

Anita Nair is an internationally renowned novelist based out of Bangalore.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Lessons in Forgetting, A Better Man, Ladies Coupe
• Awards: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, The Hindu Literary Prize

Manju Kapur

Manju Kapur is a well-known novelist who also teaches at Delhi University.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Difficult Daughters, A Married Woman, The Immigrant
• Awards: DSC Prize for SoutAsian Literature, Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

Shivani

Shivani was the pen name used by Gaura Pant, one of the most celebrated writers of Hindi fiction in the twentieth century. She primarily wrote novels and short stories.

• Language: Hindi
• Notable Works: Chaudah Phere, Bharavi, Lal Haveli
• Notable Awards: Padma Shri

Kiran Desai

The daughter of Anita Desai, Kiran Desai is a talented and prolific author in her own right. She has written several award-winning novels.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Inheritance of Loss, Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard
• Awards: Man Booker Prize, Betty Trask Award, National Book Critics Circle Fiction Award.

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Jhumpa Lahiri

Jhumpa Lahiri was born Nilanjana Sudeshna Lahiri. She has written books in English and Italian, to general critical acclaim.

• Language: English, Italian
• Notable Works: The Lowland, Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake
• Awards: Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, O. Henry Award

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Kamla Bhasin

Kamla Bhasin was one of the most influential feminists in post-independence India. She was an outspoken advocate of women’s rights throughout her life. She was also a poet and an author.

• Language: English, Hindi
• Notable Works: Laughing Matters, Feminism and Its Relevance in South Asia
• Awards: South Asia Laadli Lifetime Achievement Award

Sunetra Gupta

Sunetra Gupta is based out of England. She is an award-winning novelist as well as a professor of theoretical epidemiology at Oxford University.

• Language: English, Bengali
• Notable Works: So Good in Black, Memories of Rain
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a poet and novelist. An Indian-American, she is also a professor of Creative Writing at the University of Houston.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Palace of Illusions, Mistress of Spices
• Awards: American Book Award

Ismat Chugtai

Ismat Chugtai was an Urdu novelist, writer, and filmmaker. She was a fierce advocate of liberal humanism, and a lot of her work centered around female sexuality and class conflict.

• Language: Urdu
• Notable Works: Dil Ki Duniya, Ajeeb Aadmi
• Awards: Padma Shri, National Film Awards for Best Story

Mahasweta Devi

Mahasweta Devi was a well-known activist and writer. She is associated with the movement for tribal rights, and her novels won major critical acclaim.

• Language: Bengali
• Notable Works: Chotti Mundi Ebong Tar Tir, Aranyer Adhikar, Hajar Churashir Maa
• Awards: Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Jnanpith Award

Savitribai Phule

One of the best-known activists of the past century, Savitribai Phule was a leader of the anti-caste and feminist movements. She was also a poet and a writer.

• Language: Marathi
• Notable Works: Kavya Phule, Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar
• Awards: While she did not receive any awards in her lifetime, since her death her legacy has made a massive impact. In 1983, Pune City Corporation constructed a monument for her. Later, University of Pune was renamed in her honour.

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Romila Thapar

Romila Thapar is an eminent historian and one of the most respected non-fiction writers in India.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations, Asoka and the Decline of the Mauryas
• Notable Awards: Honorary doctorates from eight universities, including Oxford University and Brown University.

Krishna Sobti

Krishna Sobti is known for her strong female characters and exploration of female sexuality.

• Language: Hindi
• Notable Works: Mitro Marjani, Surajmukhi Andhere Ke
• Notable Awards: Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi Award

Manu Bhandari

Manu Bhandari was a feminist and an author who had a profound impact on modern Hindi Literature.

• Language: Hindi
• Notable Works: Ek Kamjor Ladki Ki Kahaani, Aapka Banti
• Awards: Vyas Samman, Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad

Mrinal Pandey

Daughter of the Hindi writer Shivani, Mrinal Pandey came from Hindi Literature Royalty. She is a skilled and acclaimed author in her own right.

• Language: Hindi, English
• Notable Works: Devi, Girls
• Awards: Padma Shri, Red Ink Lifetime Achievement Award

Shashi Deshpande

Shashi Deshpande is a celebrated novelist and has had an illustrious career. She has been a champion of liberalism and in 2015, joined a number of acclaimed writers and artists in returning her Sahitya Akademi award in protest of the inaction around the murder of a scholar.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: That Long Silence, Shadow Play
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri

Amrita Pritam

A poet, novelist, and essayist, Amrita Pritam is an icon in the field of literature. Born in 1919, she opened the door for many future women to leave an indelible mark in culture and literature.

• Language: Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
• Notable Works: Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu, Pinjar
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri, Bharatiya Jnanpith, Padma Vibhushan

Suniti Namjoshi

Suniti Namjoshi is a writer known for her novels and fables. Born and educated in India, she is currently based out of England. She has been an active advocate of the feminist and gay liberation movements.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Feminist Fables, The Conversations of Cow
• Awards: –

Anuja Chauhan

Anuja Chauhan built a successful career in advertising before moving on to writing full-time. Her first book, The Zoya Factor, was turned into a popular film.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Zoya Factor, The Pricey Thakur Girls
• Awards: Femina Women Achievers Award

Indira Goswami

Better known by her pen name Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Indira Goswami was an award-winning poet, scholar, writer, and editor. She was also a mediator between armed Assamese Militant Groups and the Indian Military.

• Language: Assamese
• Notable Works: Pages Stained With Blood, The Man From Chinnamasta
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Jnanpith Award

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Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu is one of the most prominent writers in Independence-era India. Known as the ‘Nightingale of India’ Naidu wrote and worked for women’s emancipation and anti-imperialism. She was the first woman to be a governor in the dominion of India and was a vocal follower of Mahatma Gandhi. As a writer, she is known for her evocative imagery.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: In the Bazaars of Hyderabad
• Awards: Hind Kesari Medal

Rochelle Potkar

Rochelle Potkar is a contemporary poet, writer, and actor. She has carved out a space for herself in the modern canon of Indian writers.

• Language: English
• Notable works: The Arithmetic of Breasts and Other Stories, Paper Asylum
• Notable Awards: Charles Wallace Writers’ fellow, Norton Girault Literary Prize

Preeti Shenoy

Preeti Shenoy is the author of more than twelve compelling books that have gained widespread recognition. She has been nominated for the Forbes 100 most influential celebrities in India multiple times.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Life Is What You Make It, 34 Bubblegums and Candies
• Awards: Indian of the Year- Brands Academy, Business Excellence Award- New Delhi Management Institute.

Advaita Kala

Advaita Kala is a popular Indian writer. Her novels are widely read and her screenplays have enjoyed box office success.

• Language: English
• Notable works: Almost Single, Kahaani
• Awards: Screen Award for Best Story, Star Guild Award for Best Story

Twinkle Khanna

A former film actress of Bollywood fame, Twinkle Khanna has also made her mark on the bestsellers list with her books.

• Language: English
• Notable works: Mrs. Funnybones
• Notable awards: Crossword Popular Non-Fiction Award, India Today Woman Writer of the Year

Meena Alexander

Meena Alexander was born in India but spent most of her childhood in Sudan. She did her Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham. She then lived in India for some time, before marrying an American and moving to New York.

• Language: English
• Notable works: Fault Lines, Illiterate Heart
• Awards: PEN Open Book Award, 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award from the South Asian Literary Association for contributions to American Literature.

Lakshmi Holmström

Lakshmi Holmström was a British Indian author and translator. She was born and raised in India but shifted to Britain after finishing her undergraduate course.

• Language: English
• Notable works: In a Forest, A Deer
• Awards: Crossword Book Award, appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Githa Hariharan

Githa Hariharan has been writing for more than three decades and is a prominent novelist and short story writer.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Thousand Faces of the Night, The Art of Dying
• Awards: Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book

Toru Dutt

A pioneer for women writers as well as Indian writers in English, Toru Dutt remains an extremely respected poet. She is considered one of the founding figures of Anglo-Indian literature.

• Language: English, French
• Notable Works: A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields, Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers
• Awards: Dutt died at the age of 21 in 1877, and during her lifetime did not receive any major acknowledgment for her work.

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Judy Balan

Judy Balan is a comedic writer who has written parodies, novels, and blogs.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Two Fates: The Story of my Divorce

Vibha Batra

Vibha Batra is an author, graphic novelist, advertising consultant, poet, lyricist, translator, playwright, scriptwriter, travel writer, columnist, speaker, and creative writing mentor. She has published 19 books for publishers like Penguin, Harper, Rupa, Bloomsbury, and Scholastic

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Incognito, Pinkoo Shergill Pastry Chef, The Secret Life of Debbie G (a graphic novel) Merry the Elephant’s Rainy Day, Bathinda to Bangkok
• Awards: Shortlisted for prestigious awards like the Neev Book Award, AGBLF, Valley of Words, and Publishing Next among others.

Mahadevi Verma

Mahadevi Verma is one of the most famous writers in Modern Hindi Literature, known for her poignant storytelling and soft lyricism.

• Language: Hindi
• Notable Works: Deepshikha, Mera Parivar
• Awards: Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan

Usha Priyamvada

Born as Usha Nilsson, Usha Priyamvada is an Indian born American writer. She has written many award-winning Hindi stories and novels.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Pachpan Khambe Laal Deewarein, Zindagi aur Gulaab ke Phool
• Awards: Padma Bhushan

Mridula Garg

Mridula Garg is a bilingual writer. Apart from her widely acclaimed fiction work, she is also a columnist and writes on gender and environment-related issues.

• Language: Hindi, English
• Notable Works: Usske Hisse Ki Dhoop, Main aur Main
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Hellman-Hammet Grant for Courageous Writing by the Human Rights Watch, New York

Gogu Shyamala

Gogu Shyamala is not only a renowned fiction writer but also a vocal activist championing Dalit rights and women’s rights.

• Language: Telugu
• Notable Works: Father May Be An Elephant And Mother Only A Small Basket But…
• Awards: Devi Award

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Geetanjali Shree

Geetanjali Shree is a Hindi novelist and short story writer. She has received critical acclaim for her work and is an important figure in contemporary Hindi Literature.

• Language: Hindi
• Notable Works: Ret Samadhi, Mai
• Awards: Longlisted for Booker Prize, shortlisted for Crossword Book Award

Urmila Pawar

Urmila Pawar is an activist and writer known for her powerful condemnation of the savarna oppression of the lower castes.

• Language: Marathi
• Notable Works: Aaidan
• Notable Awards: Laxmibai Tilak Award, Matoshree Bhimabai Ambedkar Award

Nikita Singh

Nikita Singh is an Indian writer, who currently lives in Canada. She has written many novels, and most of her work tends to be centered around romance.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Reason Is You, Like A Love Song
• Awards: Live India Young Achievers Award

Madhulika Liddle

Madhulika Liddle is an Indian writer who writes in English. She is best known for her fiction series which combined the genres of historical fiction and detective fiction.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Muzaffar Jang Series
• Awards: Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Short Story Competition Winner, Longlisted for The Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award

Ira Trivedi

Ira Trivedi is an author as well as a yoga acharya. Her writing spans fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: India in Love, The Great Indian Love Story
• Awards: UK Media Award, New Indian Express Devi Women’s Award

Samina Ali

Samina Ali is an Indian-born American writer and activist. Much of her work deals with feminist themes.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Madras on Rainy Days
• Awards: Prix du Premier Roman Etranger Award, PEN/Hemingway Award in Fiction

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Abha Dawesar

Abha Dawesar is an Indian-born writer who lives in the United States.

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Babyjji, Family Values
• Awards: Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction, Stoneball Book Award

Arundhathi Subramaniam

Arundhati Subramanian is an accomplished writer of both prose and poetry. She has published thirteen books, and her poetry, especially, has gained international acclaim. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: When God is a Traveler, Women Who Wear Only Themselves
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize, Mystic Kalinga Literary Award

Kavita Kané

Kavita Kané started her career as a journalist, though she later became known for her novels based on Indian Mythology. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Karna’s Wife: The Outcast Queen

Shaili Chopra

Shaili Chopra is not only a celebrated author but also an award-winning entrepreneur and journalist. She is best known as the founder of SheThePeople. TV, whose aim is to empower women by building a platform for women, by women. 

• Language: English
• Notable Work: Birdies in Business, Feminist Rani 
• Awards: FICCI’s Woman Achiever Award, Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Business Journalism 

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Bharati Mukherjee

Bharati Mukherjee is an Indian Born Canadian-American author. She worked in both fiction and non-fiction and was also a professor. 

• Language: English 
• Notable Works: Jasmine, Wife
• Awards: National Book Critics Circle Award, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Whittier College

Rashmi Bansal

Rashmi Bansal is a highly regarded entrepreneur and has written several non-fiction books, mainly dealing with entrepreneurship. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Stay Hungry Stay Foolish, Follow Every Rainbow  

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Kiran Manral

Kiran Manral is a novelist as well as the founder of India Helps, a volunteer network for disaster management. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Reluctant Detectives, All Aboard!
• Awards: Women Achievers Award by Young Environmentalists Association (2013) International Women’s Day Award 2018 from the Indian Council of UN Relations (ICUNR) supported by the Ministry for Women and Child Development, Government of India. Named as one of the Womennovator 1000 Women of Asia 2021. Named amongst the 75 Iconic Indian women in STEAM by Red Dot Foundation and Beyond Black, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, and British High Commission, New Delhi. (2022)

Madhuri Banerjee

Madhuri Banerjee is the author of five books, known for her tongue-in-cheek humour and romantic plots. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Losing My Virginity and Other Dumb Ideas, My Clingy Girlfriend
• Notable Awards: National Award for Documentary (apart from writing, she also made a documentary) 

Anindita Ghose

Anindita Ghose is a journalist and a writer. Her first novel, which was published in 2021 has garnered critical acclaim. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Illuminated
• Awards: GQ’s Best Indian Fiction, Hawthornden Writing Fellow 

Sudha Menon

Sudha Menon is an author and writing coach, as well as a motivational speaker. She also runs various initiatives like ‘Writing With Women’ and ‘Telling Our Stories’. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Recipes For Life, Feisty at Fifty

Anuja Chandramouli

Anuja Chandramouli is a fiction author known for her historical and fantasy fiction. 

• Language: English 
• Notable Works: Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior King 

Saiswaroopa Iyer

Saiswaroopa Iyer is also known for her work in mythological fiction. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Abhaya: The Legend of Diwali, Avishi: Vishpala of Rig Veda Reimagined

Sharanya Mannivannan

Sharanya Mannivannan is a fiction author and a children’s book illustrator. She also writes and illustrates poetry. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Incantations Over Water, Mermaids In The Moonlight
• Awards: South Asia Laadli Award

Preti Taneja

Preti Taneja is a British author, educator, and screenwriter of Indian origin. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: We Are That Young, Aftermath
• Awards: Desmond Elliott Prize, Eastern Eye Award for Literature

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Tishani Doshi

Tishani Doshi is not only a poet but also a dancer and journalist. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Countries of the Body, A God at the Door
• Awards: Eric Gregory Award for young poets, Forward Poetry Prize for Best First Collection. 

Avni Doshi

Avni Doshi is an American author of Indian origins, though she currently lives in Dubai. Her first novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Girl in White Cotton
• Awards: Tibor Jones South Asia Prize, Charles Pick Fellowship, Shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize

K R Meera

K.R Meera is one of Kerala’s most prestigious authors. She started her career as a journalist but eventually quit to dedicate her time to her writing. 

• Language: Malayalam
• Notable Works: Ave Maria, Aarachaar
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Odakkuzhal Award

Richa Kaul Padte

Richa Kaul Padte writes mainly non-fiction, and her work tends to revolve around sexual politics and gender. She also writes on topics like popular culture and technology. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Cyber Sexy
• Awards: Laadli Award

Priya Sarukkai Chabria

Priya Sarukkai Chabria is both a novelist and poet. She is also an editor of poetry, and along with Ravi Shankar, translated the works of ancient Tamil poet Andal. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Not Springtime Yet, Andal: The Autobiography of a Goddess
• Awards: Fellowship from the Indian Government, Muse India Translation Award

Ira Mukhoty

Ira Mukhoty is an author known for her writing on mythical and historical women who haven’t been given due importance in traditional tellings of myth and history. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Heroines: Powerful Indian Women of Myth and History, Daughters of the Sun: Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire 
• Awards: Shortlisted for Crossword Book Jury Awards

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Janice Pariat

Janice Pariat is a poet and writer. Her collection of short stories and poems has gained much critical acclaim. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Boats on Land, Sea Horse, The Nine Chambered Heart
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Young Writer Award, Crossword Book Award

B M Suhara

B.M Suhara is one of the most respected authors in Kerala. 

• Language: Malayalam
• Notable Works: Kinavu, Mozhi
• Awards: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for lifetime contribution

Andaleeb Wajid

Andaleeb Wajid is a novelist who explores various topics. She has often challenged the stereotypical representation of Muslim lives through her stories and characters. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Kite Strings, Blinkers Off
• Awards: Shortlisted for The Hindu Young World GoodBooks Award

Urvashi Butalia

A notable feminist and activist as well as an author, Urvashi Butalia has been a significant part of the women’s movement in India. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India 
• Awards: Padma Shri, Goethe Medal

Rita Kothari

Rita Kothari is a translator and an author. She has been particularly interested in partition, as well Gujarat, its culture, and its history. 

• Language: English, Gujarati
• Notable Works: Translating India: The Cultural Politics of English, Memories, and Movements

Kundanika Kapadia

Kundanika Kapadia was an author who has written essays, short stories as well as novels. 

• Language: Gujarati 
• Notable Works: Parodh Thata Pahela, Sat Pagala Akashma
• Notable Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award, Gujarat Sahitya Akademi Award

Taran N. Khan

Taran Khan is an author and journalist living in Bombay. Her first book has received much critical acclaim. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Shadow City: A Woman Walks Kabul 
• Awards: Tata Literature Live First Book Award for Non-Fiction, Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year

Tarana Husain Khan 

Tarana Husain Khan is a writer and food historian from Rampur. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Begum and The Dastan
• Awards: Shortlisted for SheThePeople Women Writer’s Prize

Rana Safvi

Rani Safvi is a writer, blogger, and translator. She is interested in folk traditions and cultural histories in India. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: A Saint, A Folk Tale, and Other Stories
• Awards: Yamin Hazarika Award

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Nilanjana S Roy

Nilanjana S Roy is an author, journalist, editor, and literary critic. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: The Wildings, The Hundred Names of Darkness
• Awards: Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 

Sumana Roy

Based in Siliguri, Sumana Roy has published fiction, non-fiction as well as poetry. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: How I Became A Tree, Missing
• Awards: Shortlisted for the Shakti Bhatt Prize, longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize 

Saba Dewan

Saba Dewan is a well-known documentary filmmaker and author. 

• Language: English
• Notable Works: Tawaifnama
• Awards: AutHer Award for Best Nonfiction

Irawati Karve

She was one of the first female anthropologist of India.

• Language: Marathi
• Notable Works: 1. Yugant ( Marathi)  2. Maharashtra–Land & People ( Marathi/ English) 3. Kinship Organisation in India ( English)  4. Hindu Society- An interpretation (English) 
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi award for Yugant

Durga Bhagwat

She was an expert in Sanskrit & studied tribal life in Madhya Pradesh. She was the president of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.

• Language: Marathi
• Notable Works: Vyas Parva, Loksahityachi Ruprekha, Dharma Ani Loksahitya, Pais 
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi award for Pais. She declined the Padmashree award & Jnanapeeth award as her protest against the emergency

Shanta Shelke

She has around 100 published books to her credit. She was the president of Akhil Bhartiya Sahitya Sammelan

• Language: Marathi
• Notable Works: Meghdoot, Sangavese Vatale Mhanun, Dhulpati, Chaughijani 
• Awards: Yashwantrao Chavhan Purskar, Ga.Di. Madgulakar Purskar, Kusumagraj Purskar 

Aruna Ramchandra Dhere

She has more than 40 books to her credit. She was the president of Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.

• Language: Marathi
• Notable Works: Lok aani Abhijaat, Loksanskrutichi Rangarupe, Vivek aani Vidroha, Stri aani Sanskriti 
• Awards: She has received around 40 awards for her work, which includes  Kavi Keshvsut award, Balkavi award, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar award and more.

Nabaneeta Dev Sen

She is renowned for her immense contributions to Bengali literature and was a prominent feminist voice in India.

• Language: Bengali
• Notable Works: Bama-bodhini, Srestha kabita, and Sita theke suru.
• Awards: Sahitya Akademi Award & Padma Shri.

Conclusion

Indian writing in every language has been deeply influenced by women writers in India. Their outstanding work across genres has deeply enriched the literature of the country. We hope you enjoy some of their work!

Note: This list is dynamic and we will keep adding to it quite often. Know of women writers in India we might have missed in the list above?Write to info@himalayanwritingretreat.com.