Sudha Murthy, an author and philanthropist, has been esteemed with various prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri and the R.K Narayan Award for Literature. Her writing style weaves stories of ordinary mundane life in extraordinary ways in an effortless manner. Her narratives delve into the concept of realism by drawing inspiration from her own life experience, which resonates with her readers. 

Sudha Murthy has made a remarkable contribution to the literary sphere through her awards. Her commitment to philanthropy along with her determination to empower the overlooked section has made Sudha Murthy a revered figure in the social framework. 

Here are the 4 inspirational must-reads from Sudha Murthy:

Gently Falls The Bakula 

Falling under the category of a slice-of-life genre, Gently Falls The Bakula revolves around the problems of marriages in today’s world. It begins with a tale of a marriage that is coming to its end stages and falling apart badly. It explores the nuances of love and how love alone cannot be the glue to make a marriage stick. Being her first novel from almost thirty years ago, this novel remains her most valued work.

“Ugly ducklings often turn into beautiful swans when they are tested.”

by Sudha Murthy in Gently Falls The Bakula. 

Dollar Bahu 

Exploring the clash of cultures and the struggles involved in bridging the gap between modernism and traditionalism, Dollar Bahu delves into the themes of identity, familial relations, societal expectations and the pursuit of happiness. Situated within a traditional joint family, a young woman is faced with multiple trials when she emigrates to the United States, creating a contemplative narrative portraying the nuances of emotions. 

“Respect and appreciation go a long way in maintaining harmonious relationships.”

by Sudha Murthy in Dollar Bahu.

How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

A collection of heartwarming stories revolving around the life-changing power of literacy. Sudha Murthy emphasizes the importance of education and the delight of reading through her inspiring narrative. The stories inspire the readers with the innocence and curiosity of youth along with the exploration of social issues. 

“Many a times there is no perfect solution for a given problem. No solution is also a solution. Everything depends upon how you look at it. We make judgements on others depending upon what we think of them.”

― Sudha Murthy, How I Taught My Grand Mother to Read and Other Stories

Mahasweta 

This contemplative novel delves into the complexities of the workings of society highlighting its flaws. Anupama, who suffers from Leukoderma or Vitiligo, is at the center of this novel along with the struggles of her life. It reflects the harsh realities of our society and how we have framed the beauty standards to have impacted us so deeply. Sudha Murthy once again proves herself by creating a compelling novel that raises awareness at the issues that have tormented our society. 

“Of the thousands of flowers that blossom on a tree only a few will bear fruit. And out of those few fruits, insects and squirrels will eat some. The tree does not keep anything for itself. Does that mean that the life of the tree is wasted?”

by Sudha Murthy from Mahasweta