Picture a storyteller who weaves Bengali folklore with cosmic adventures, all while shaping the future of medicine—meet Sayantani DasGupta! This American author and physician-scholar of Indian heritage has enchanted young readers with her New York Times bestselling Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series, while her work in narrative medicine at Columbia University champions diversity in healthcare and storytelling.
The Making of Sayantani DasGupta
Born in 1970 in Columbus, Ohio, Sayantani DasGupta grew up in a vibrant Bengali immigrant family, splitting time between Ohio and New Jersey. Her childhood summers in Kolkata, India, immersed her in the rich tapestry of Bengali folktales, sparking a lifelong love for storytelling. After earning her undergraduate degree from Brown University, she pursued M.D. and MPH degrees at Johns Hopkins University, training in pediatrics and public health. But her path took a unique turn when she began blending her medical expertise with narrative, teaching at Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College, where she pioneers narrative medicine—a field that honors stories in healthcare.
Sayantani DasGupta’s Unforgettable Stories
DasGupta’s literary magic shines in her Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series, a middle-grade fantasy inspired by Bengali folklore and string theory. The Serpent’s Secret (2018), the series’ debut, follows Kiranmala, a 12-year-old Indian-American girl who discovers she’s an intergalactic princess battling demons. A Bank Street Best Book of the Year, it blends humor, heart, and heroism. Game of Stars (2019), a New York Times bestseller, and The Chaos Curse (2020) deepen Kiranmala’s adventures, challenging stereotypes with nuanced characters like rakkhosh demons who aren’t all bad. DasGupta’s Fire Queen series, starting with Force of Fire (2021), and Secrets of the Sky offer anticolonial and environmental themes, while Debating Darcy (2022) reimagines Jane Austen with South Asian flair. Her prose is witty, her worlds vivid, and her commitment to diversity—evident in unapologetic Bengali words and active heroines—sets her apart.
Beyond fiction, DasGupta’s scholarly works, like The Principles and Practices of Narrative Medicine (2017), co-authored with colleagues, and her memoir Her Own Medicine (1999), explore the intersections of health, race, and storytelling. Her co-edited Stories of Illness and Healing (2007) amplifies women’s voices, earning awards for its impact.
Why Sayantani DasGupta Matters
Sayantani DasGupta’s work resonates because it bridges worlds—cultural, scientific, and literary. Her stories empower young readers, especially from marginalized communities, to see themselves as heroes, while her advocacy with We Need Diverse Books pushes for inclusive literature. In narrative medicine, she fosters empathy, urging healthcare professionals to listen deeply to patients’ stories. Her TEDx talks and national speaking engagements amplify her call for narrative humility, making her a beacon for social justice in both art and medicine.
- Born: 1970, Columbus, Ohio
- Key Works: The Serpent’s Secret, Game of Stars, The Principles and Practices of Narrative Medicine
- Awards: Bank Street Best Book, EB White Read Aloud Honor
Ready to dive into a multiverse of Bengali folklore and fearless heroines? Snag The Serpent’s Secret and explore Sayantani DasGupta’s spellbinding world!