Anita Nair

Anita Nair Biography

Anita Nair is a popular Indian writer who writes in English known for her novels The Better Man and Ladies Coupe that have been translated into 21 languages. She was born at Shornur of Palakkad in the state of Kerala. Apart from fiction works she has also done, a few poetry works, travelogues and kids’ books. Mistress (2003), Adventures of Nonu, the Skating Squirrel (2006), Living Next Door to Alise (2007) and Magical Indian Myths (2008) are other noted works. A collection of short stories called Satyr of the Subway was her first published work. Malabar Mind (2002) and Where the Rain is Born - Writings about Kerala (2003) are her poetic collections.

Born in Shornur, Anita’s education was completed at Ottappalam and Chennai. She took BA in English Language and Literature from NSS College, Ottappalam, Kerala. Later she worked as a creative director of an advertising agency in Bangalore. It was during this time when she wrote the first book. Her first book, a collection of short stories called Satyr of the Subway won her a fellowship from the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. Her second book was published by Penguin India and Picador USA, thus becoming the first Indian writer to get this credit. During late 1990’s, she wrote columns in The Bangalore Monthly magazine, now called "080" Magazine. Her first novel The Better Man (2000) has been one of her best works till now. This work has been published both in India as well as abroad and has been translated to several languages.

Anita Nair's second novel Ladies Coupe (2001) has turned out to be an even greater success with viewers from more than 15 countries and translated to more than 25 languages. It received critics’ appreciation as well.  In 2002 it was elected as one of the five best in India. Her playwright is Nine Faces of Being. Anita currently resides in Bangalore.

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Updated: December 24, 2013