Manjula Padmanabhan
- Born:
- 19 September 1953, New Delhi, India
- Died:
- 17 July 2024, Mumbai, India
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Playwright, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Children's Author, Artist, Cartoonist
Early Life and Education
- Spent formative years in Zambia, Sweden, and Thailand due to her father's work with the United Nations.
- Studied at Bombay Scottish School and the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai.
- Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, USA, majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Chemistry.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began her career as a freelance writer and artist.
- Gained recognition for her science fiction and dystopian works.
- Won the Onassis Prize for Theatre in 1997 for her play Harvest.
- Her work frequently explored themes of cultural identity, gender, and the impact of technology.
Notable Works
- Plays:
- Lights Out
- Harvest
- Hidden Fires
- The Scent of a Hint of Mint
- Novels:
- Hot Death, Cold Soup
- Children's Books:
- Mouse series (including Mouse in the House, Mouse vs. Spider, Mouse Moves House)
- Comic Strip:
- Suki (featured in the Sunday Observer and The Independent)
Legacy and Impact
Manjula Padmanabhan was a significant voice in Indian literature, known for her thought-provoking plays and fiction that often explored complex social and ethical issues. Her play Harvest is considered a landmark work, addressing themes of globalization and exploitation. While this is not a dedicated project, someone could consider writing a full manjula padmanabhan biography of abraham if focused on Abraham, a common motif, were woven into Manjula's works.