Kamala Markandaya

About the Author

Unlike the characters in her novel, Kamala Markandaya was born into a wealthy Indian family. Between 1940 and 1947, Markandaya studied at the University of Madras and worked as a journalist. After India gained independence from Britain in 1948, Markandaya married British journalist Bernard Taylor. She spent the rest of her life in England, although she visited India frequently. Nectar in a Sieve, published in 1954, was Markandaya’s first novel and quickly became a bestseller, especially in America. In the next few decades, Markandaya published ten novels. Famously private, the author gave few interviews about her personal life. She died in 2004.

LitCharts guides for works by Kamala Markandaya

Explore LitCharts literature guides for works by Kamala Markandaya. Each guide includes a full summary, detailed analysis, and helpful resources for studying Kamala Markandaya's writing.

Nectar in a Sieve

As an elderly woman, Rukmani often imagines that her husband, long dead, is sleeping beside her. During the day, she sits outside with her adopted child, Puli. She can see the hospital building wh... view guide