Roy, Arundhati (1961–)

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Roy, Arundhati (1961–)

Indian novelist and screenwriter. Born Nov 24, 1961, in Shillong, Meghalaya, India; grew up in Aymanam, near Kerala; dau. of Mary Roy (Christian from Kerala and social activist) and Rajib Roy (Bengali Hindu tea planter); graduate of Delhi School of Architecture, 1981; m. Gerard Da Cunha (architect, div.); m. Pradip Krishen (filmmaker), 1993.

Began career as an actress, starring in the film Massey Sahib; came to prominence with her 1st semi-autobiographical novel, the international bestseller The God of Small Things (1997), and was the 1st Indian citizen to win the Booker Prize; wrote screenplays for 2 Indian films directed by her husband: In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones and Electric Moon; an anti-nuclear activist, also wrote "The End of Imagination" which was published in her essay collection, The Cost of Living. Awarded Sydney Peace Prize (2004).