Picture a storyteller weaving vibrant tales of Indian heritage and universal dreams—meet Nandini Bajpai! This Indian-American author has enchanted readers with her heartfelt young adult and children’s books, blending cultural richness with relatable coming-of-age stories. From New Delhi’s bustling streets to Boston’s quiet suburbs, Bajpai’s journey fuels narratives that resonate across borders.
The Making of Nandini Bajpai
Born in Meerut, India, Nandini Bajpai grew up in New Delhi among four sisters and a family of avid readers. Her father, an Indian military officer, instilled discipline, while her childhood brimmed with stories—though few reflected her own culture. After earning a degree in Delhi, Bajpai moved to Australia in 1991, where she met her husband. By 1994, they settled in Massachusetts, where she worked as a systems analyst at Fidelity Investments before embracing motherhood and writing. Her desire to see Indian voices in literature, inspired by her own children’s lack of representation, sparked her authorial journey.
Nandini Bajpai’s Unforgettable Stories
Bajpai’s debut, Red Turban White Horse: My Sister’s Hurricane Wedding (2013), published by Scholastic India, is a lively young adult novel inspired by her own wedding and her sister-in-law’s, set against a hurricane’s chaos. Its U.S. adaptation, Sister of the Bollywood Bride (2021), captures the charm of planning a Bollywood-style wedding. Starcursed (2013), a historical young adult novel, explores forbidden love in medieval India, showcasing Bajpai’s knack for rich historical settings. Rishi and the Karmic Cat (2015), a middle-grade fantasy, follows a boy and a magical cat, blending humor and heart. Her U.S. debut, A Match Made in Mehendi (2019), a contemporary YA hit, follows Simi, a teen navigating matchmaking traditions via a modern app, earning a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
Bajpai’s style is warm and accessible, weaving Indian traditions—saris, monsoons, and mehendi—with universal themes of identity, family, and belonging. Her characters, often Indian-American teens, grapple with cultural duality, making her stories both specific and widely relatable. Her lighthearted yet poignant tone invites readers into vibrant worlds where tradition meets modernity.
Why Nandini Bajpai Matters
Nandini Bajpai’s work fills a vital gap in children’s and YA literature, offering authentic South Asian representation. Before the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement gained traction in 2014, Bajpai was already publishing stories that centered Indian voices, paving the way for greater diversity in publishing. Her books, translated into multiple languages, resonate with readers globally, from India to the U.S., inspiring young people to embrace their heritage while navigating modern challenges. Her contributions as a Curriculum Associates writer further amplify diverse voices in education.
- Born: Meerut, India
- Key Works: A Match Made in Mehendi, Sister of the Bollywood Bride, Rishi and the Karmic Cat, Starcursed
- Notable Recognition: Starred review from Publishers Weekly for A Match Made in Mehendi
Snag A Match Made in Mehendi and dive into Nandini Bajpai’s vibrant world of heart, humor, and heritage!