Kamala Markandaya was an Indian author known for her novels that explore the complexities of Indian society and culture. Born in 1924 in Bangalore, she moved to England in 1948, where she began her writing career. Her works often reflect the struggles of individuals in a changing world, particularly focusing on the lives of women. Markandaya's most famous novel, Nectar in a Sieve, published in 1954, tells the story of a rural woman's resilience in the face of poverty and social change. Throughout her career, she wrote several other novels, short stories, and essays, contributing significantly to Indian literature and gaining international recognition.