The Henna Artist Themes

Lakshmi Shastri, the titular character of Alka Joshi’s novel The Henna Artist, lives and works in Jaipur, India, a decade after India has gained independence from its British colonizers. But while political independence is universally celebrated, the women in Lakshmi’s life have no such freedom. Whether she is applying henna for wealthy ladies like Parvati Singh or taking care of her impoverished 13-year-old sister Radha, Lakshmi is struck by women’s lack of…

Alka Joshi’s The Henna Patient follows Lakshmi, a talented henna artist who uses her artistic talent to escape an abusive husband. But though Lakshmi’s independence and resilience allow her to succeed in remarkable ways, they also make it hard for her to adjust to life with Radha, the teenaged sister she never knew she had. Part of this difficulty stems from Lakshmi’s attempt to control Radha’s life—Lakshmi knows that she will be held…

Lakshmi Shastri, the titular henna artist in Alka Joshi’s novel The Henna Artist, prides herself on her ability to help and heal women with herbs, oils, and touch. When Lakshmi’s long-lost sister Radha arrives, Lakshmi extends this kindness to her, buying her new clothes, teaching her how to carry herself in Jaipur high society, and enrolling her sister in the best school in the city. But Radha fails to see Lakshmi’s scolding as…

Lakshmi Shastri, the gifted craftswoman at the center of Alka Joshi’s The Henna Artist, prides herself on her unusually detailed and sophisticated designs. In fact, her life’s goal is to own a house of her own design, complete with a terrazzo floor that permanently enshrines some of her most elaborate artistry. But as Lakshmi strives to turn her artwork into wealth, she finds that she is compromising the community and healing that drew…