International Women's Day is a celebration of women across the world. Celebrated on March 8, Women's Day is a day to honour and appreciate the women in our lives and their endless contributions. This year's theme, #EachforEqual is a reminder of the much needed gender equality in our society. Many women authors have written about it and expressed themselves through their writings, in turn inspiring generations of readers. After all, words have the power to shape our thoughts and make us better informed people. Reading not only opens a door of endless possibilities, but it also introduces us to different world views and inspires our lives in many ways.
This Women's Day, we spoke to some popular women authors in India who have created a niche for themselves. We asked them to tell us about a woman author who inspired them the most. Here's what they shared...

Kavita Kane

Journalist-turned-author Kavita Kane is known for her mytho-fiction writings, especially through the point of view of lesser-known women characters in Indian epics. Her stories depict women's issues which are relevant even today. Sharing her inspiration, she said, "Authors with their works have an incredible, but often under-estimated power to influence: for me both as a reader and as a writer. But it would be unfair to single out one author– specifically a woman writer – who ‘inspired me the most’. When at school, you grow up on an indispensable diet on the classics by Jane Austen, the Brönte sisters, Louisa M Alcott, George Eliot and later shift to lighter reading in the teens like Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell, Ayn Rand to eventually graduate to the literary works of Iris Murdoch, Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson, Doris Lessing-- the world is just not enough.

"Years later I got hold of Irawati Karve’s 'Yuganta'– the English translation- and for the first time saw the epic, the Mahabharata through a different lens altogether. It was the most searing read, an almost cynical study, sort of a sociological treatise on the chief characters of the Mahabharata. She treats them more as historical characters than revered figures of the epic-- people with flaws who made mistakes all the while employing their follies, their attitudes and actions to seek insight into the socio-political-cultural ethos of those times while drawing parallels with the country’s history.

"That Karve was essentially an anthropologist and a sociologist who made the needed difference. But as a reader and later as a writer, it made me aware of the power, the potential and pull of alternative perspectives. And unwittingly I did follow on those lines when I eventually got down to write my debut novel."

Venita Coelho


Screenwriter, novelist and artist Venita Coelho has published 10 books so far. From children's books, to YA literature to ghost stories-- she has written books spanning various genres. So when we asked the multi-talented writer about an author who has inspired her the most, she answered, "Ursula K. Le Guin, because she has written for a genre which was majorly dominated by men. Her works depict extreme intelligence and her stories have a vision of the world. Through science fiction she has written about the state of women and her writings are powerful and empowering. I love her Earthsea series."

Khyrunnisa A


Popular children's author Khyrunnisa A.'s new book for adults 'Tongue in Cheek: The Funny Side of Life' tells the misadventures of an urban woman in a humorous way. On being asked about a woman author who has inspired her most, she quipped, "Who else but Jane Austen? I love humour and admire Jane Austen hugely for her excellent use of irony, her subtle wit and classy humour as she handles in a sophisticated manner the universal themes of love and marriage." Austen's sarcastic and slightly aloof writings and beautiful command over language is also what the popular author of the Butterfingers series admires. "Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' is one of my favourite novels," she added.

Kiran Manral


Author Kiran Manral has penned books in various genres including romance, thriller and parenting. Sharing her thoughts on writers who have inspired her, she revealed that she has two favourite authors for different reasons. "I like Charlotte Brontë for 'Jane Eyre'. She was probably the first feminist character and her story read very real. Before reading her book, I didn't realise that women can be strong, independent and not just pretty."

She further added that when it comes to writing, the author of 'Rebecca' Daphne du Maurier inspired her writing. "'Rebecca' is a book that stayed with me. I like Daphne du Maurier's writing for the way she builds suspense which has inspired my writing."

Preeti Shenoy


Popular Indian writer Preeti Shenoy, whose new book is releasing in April 2020, shared that she admires Danielle Steele as an author. "To be honest, no author 'inspires' me. Inspire is a very strong word. I absolutely LOVE the writing of some authors. Then again, I might dislike something else they wrote or something they did. Hence it is very difficult for me to name one author. I do admire Danielle Steele for the sheer number of books she has written, and the number of times she has been on the New York Times bestseller list," Shenoy shared.

She further added, "I also totally admire the invisible workforce of women in India: The maid who does the cleaning, the lady at the gym who cleans the equipment, sweepers in the malls, the ladies who clean the toilets at airports, etc. They come from such difficult circumstances and backgrounds. They are resilient and quietly, uncomplainingly do what has to be done. In a country where female infanticide numbers are shocking, where the girl child has to fight to even live, I think that is admirable. Also only 27% of women work in India. This ratio has to go up significantly if we are to achieve equality."

American author Carolyn See aptly once said, "Every word a woman writes changes the story of the world, revises the official version.” So, who is that one writer whose life and writings have shaped your views? Tell us in the comments below.

Here's wishing a happy women's day to all our readers!