The Light Shines Through the Clouds

About the Book

For generations, the Dutta family, had lived contentedly in the pluralistic culture of Old Delhi, and cherished the comforts of the British colonial life as much experienced its challenges. When the political changes in the country began to fragment the unity in people, bringing paramount decisions about the future of India, the fabric of the social culture also began to reveal its complexities. As the independence movement escalated inside British India, the formation of two nations, India and Pakistan, was proposed based on their religious affiliations. Amid the uncertainties, the Dutta family is put through momentous situations as they came to terms with the national events, alongside, their own struggle to interpret the beliefs of an age-old religious system from how they revered faith and love. The story narrates pivotal moments in understanding the values and assumptions of faith against the established religious norms anchored in society in the backdrop of the tremulous historical shifts taking place. “Throughout the story of this extended family, Chotani consistently weaves in many evocative details drawn not only from historical events, but also from the more intimate social fabric of life. Readers are submerged in the fine points of business, culture, faith, and cuisine......An illuminating but static tale of an Indian family clinging to its core values.”--Kirkus Review

About the Author

Shibani Ghose Chotani was born in Calcutta. She graduated from Woodstock school, Mussoorie, India. Shibani studied German in Jawaharlal Nehru University(Delhi), University of Heidelberg (Germany) and later lived in France where she studied French and continued German at the University of Sorbonne. She taught German for several years with teaching certification from the Goethe Institute. Shibani has been living in the United States since 1985. She completed her Masters from the University of Rochester, NY. She taught in elementary schools, community college, and later in private language schools. She enjoys reading, singing, travel, gardening and volunteering in community work in her city. Shibani has published two books – Scattered Petals (2019), and Pictures Through the Rearview Mirror (2018). Shibani lives in California with her husband, daughter and her dog.