I absolutely loved The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi and wrote about it for Ms. Magazine and Thrive Global. It is possible that I enjoyed her new book, THE SECRET KEEPER OF JAIPUR, which will be available TOMORROW even more!
In the second book, which is set in 1969, Malik is now twenty, Lakshmi is running the Healing Garden of Shimla and in this excerpt she meets Nimmi:
2 LAKSHMI
I love this season, the sharp air in my nostrils, the crunch of snow crystals beneath my boots and the anticipation of a new season ahead. Having lived the majority of my life in the dry heat of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, I never thought I’d come to love the cooler weather of the Himalayan foothills.
As I round the last hill on my morning walk, I spot the roof and gables of my Victorian bungalow topped with the last of the snow, like an elaborate pastry decorated with cream. Off to one side of the house is a Himalayan cedar, its branches weighted with white powder. The scene always fills me with joy, and I wonder—as I often do—how I could capture its delicate beauty with a henna design.
Then I spot Nimmi waiting on my doorstep.
On the path, I hesitate.
In full tribal regalia, her slim figure is striking. Her skin is the color of wet bark, so dark that her eyes—small, deep set— shine like those of an energetic black-eyed bulbul. These and her hawkish nose make her seem severe. I chide myself for judging her. Haven’t I taught myself to appear pleasant even when the situation doesn’t call for it? It’s a skill I mastered during a decade of tending to the whims of the ladies of Jaipur as I painted their hands with henna. Perhaps the women of Nimmi’s tribe are raised not to temper their true emotions?
These are among the themes of Rosh Hashanah: Who will live and who will die? Who will suffer and who will prosper? And if I may add a couple of questions of my own: Who will be grateful and who will be ungrateful? Who will complain and who will create?
One thing I am sure of: Judea is inarguably a proud Jew, a steadfast member of this multimillennial Jewish Peoplehood. The other is that I love the man, plain and simple.
Daniela Gerson’s “The Wanderers” is all that you can ask for from a book. Meticulously researched, exquisitely told, it is an adventure story spanning more than 80 years, even a love story.
The project was organized by the Nova Tribe Community Association, the nonprofit created after Oct. 7, by producers of the Nova festival to support survivors and bereaved families and commemorate those murdered.
OBKLA has welcomed more than 80,000 volunteers, including students, synagogue and church groups, corporate organizations, top leadership teams from companies such as Netflix and Amazon and, of course, celebrities.
Through poetic reflections, Torah wisdom and personal stories, Salem explores the shofar as a tool for mindfulness, healing, surrender and inner transformation.
Islamist terrorism remains a threat to the United States, the West, and the Jewish people. We cannot allow the history of September 11 to be twisted into an indictment of the society that was attacked.
This ideological pogrom eerily mapped out the antizionism mania that has now hit America’s shores, using the noble fights against racism, colonialism and oppression for ignoble ends.
What I learned most from the people who told us their stories is that the Australian Jewish community is in a state of shock but is resilient, going about its day-to-day life in the way Jews have practiced for generations in the face of hatred.
Travel back to India: The Secret Keeper of Jaipur
Lisa Ellen Niver
Want to know more about ALKA JOSHI? Listen to our interview about Passion, Perseverance and Patience:
Alka interviewed me for her show, Reimagine:
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY: The Henna Artist and THE SECRET KEEPER OF JAIPUR
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Avinu Malkeinu — A New Poem
The Genocide Lie: When a Libel Becomes a Label
Hosting Hillel Fuld
A Bisl Rosh Hashana ~ Not Your Typical New Year
The Chapter Ahead
Rosh Hashanah is Like Time and Isaac When Both Come to Life
Print Issue: Confronting Personal Tragedy: A Rosh Hashanah Reflection | September 11, 2026
These are among the themes of Rosh Hashanah: Who will live and who will die? Who will suffer and who will prosper? And if I may add a couple of questions of my own: Who will be grateful and who will be ungrateful? Who will complain and who will create?
L’Shana Tova: In the Spirit of the Jewish New Year
Happy Birthday, Judea Pearl
One thing I am sure of: Judea is inarguably a proud Jew, a steadfast member of this multimillennial Jewish Peoplehood. The other is that I love the man, plain and simple.
Exiled from Zamosc, Survival in the Far-Off Lands
Daniela Gerson’s “The Wanderers” is all that you can ask for from a book. Meticulously researched, exquisitely told, it is an adventure story spanning more than 80 years, even a love story.
At 6:29 A.M., to Honor Nova, the Music Stopped at Burning Man
The project was organized by the Nova Tribe Community Association, the nonprofit created after Oct. 7, by producers of the Nova festival to support survivors and bereaved families and commemorate those murdered.
9/11 Didn’t Make America Immune to Strategic Surprise
Assume the next surprise attack is only a matter of time, and use that time to make it harder to carry out and less catastrophic when it comes.
More Than Just a Meal: Bringing People Together at OBKLA
OBKLA has welcomed more than 80,000 volunteers, including students, synagogue and church groups, corporate organizations, top leadership teams from companies such as Netflix and Amazon and, of course, celebrities.
The Shofar Blower
Through poetic reflections, Torah wisdom and personal stories, Salem explores the shofar as a tool for mindfulness, healing, surrender and inner transformation.
Political Activists Are Erasing September 11 in K-12 Education
Islamist terrorism remains a threat to the United States, the West, and the Jewish people. We cannot allow the history of September 11 to be twisted into an indictment of the society that was attacked.
Table for Five: Rosh Hashanah
God Remembers
Dating, DMs & Lie Detectors ft. Zach Margs
Confronting Personal Tragedy: A Rosh Hashanah Reflection
Sweet Devotion: An Apple Cake Recipe
I’m telling you that there’s something special about this apple cake and the way that it just melts in your mouth.
Beware: the Durban Delirium Trumped the Essential Lessons of 9/11
This ideological pogrom eerily mapped out the antizionism mania that has now hit America’s shores, using the noble fights against racism, colonialism and oppression for ignoble ends.
Rosner’s Domain | A Rough Balance Sheet of the Past Year
A blessing looks forward. An assessment looks back. This week, we asked Israelis to look back.
Two Dolls
The Apology I Never Got and Will Never Send
I find myself constantly creating scenarios in my head where someone who used to be my best friend reaches out and apologizes for everything.
At the Threshold of 5787: Eight Tests of Resilience
A Rosh Hashanah Reflection
Still Committed to Plan A
What I learned most from the people who told us their stories is that the Australian Jewish community is in a state of shock but is resilient, going about its day-to-day life in the way Jews have practiced for generations in the face of hatred.
Jewish Parents Can’t Ignore What’s Being Taught in Schools
There is an important distinction between education and advocacy. We should insist that Jewish and Israeli voices are not silenced.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.