ESTHER DAVID

Esther David is an Indian Jewish author and artist. She has received the ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ for English Literature and the ‘National Jewish Book Award’ USA for her book 'Bene Appetit-The Cuisine of Indian Jews.’ She studied art at Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.University, Vadodara, under the guidance of Professor Sankho Chaudhuri. Her novels are translated into French, Hebrew, Marathi and Gujarati. Later, she was visiting faculty at CEPT University and NIFT Gandhinagar. She was an Art Critic and Columnist of Times of India, Ahmedabad edition. She was the chairperson of ‘Gujarat State Lalit Kala Akademi,’ and is known for her illustrations, as she occasionally exhibits her works in Ahmedabad.

What is your favourite word?
“HEART” - My heart draws me to see everything beautiful - in the visual arts, performing arts and nature; with love and compassion

What was the moment in your life that made you Blossom into the person you are today?
My early exposure to art, literature and the performing arts happened because of the artistic atmosphere in our family house, when we lived as a joint family in the old city of Ahmedabad. I developed a love for nature and wildlife from my father Reuben David who created the zoo complex around Kankaria Lake. While in Vadodara; I received greater exposure to the arts, as I imbibed Tagorean values, the essence of Satyajit Ray’s films, theatre, folk music and world art. Through the years, I have become close to our small close-knit Bene Israel Jewish community, as we often met at the Magen Abraham Synagogue in Ahmedabad, which has inspired me to create Indian Jewish literature.

What would you want the young boys & girls to learn from your journey?
Believe in yourself. Keep on working and be creative. The rest will fall into place.