Cold Tea Reads: Four books celebrating Diwali

Celebrating Diwali with four books featuring recommendations from South Asian creatives.
By ● Cold Tea Reads, Our Stories ●

Celebrating Diwali: Stories that illuminate and inspire

As autumn arrives, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, reminds us of the beauty of new beginnings, the triumph of light over darkness, and the power of storytelling to connect us to our roots.

We’re celebrating the season by highlighting books and stories that capture the spirit of Diwali, reflections on home, culture, and renewal that bring both comfort and illumination.

To curate this special edition of Cold Tea Reads, we invited two storytellers who embody this spirit in their work and lives: Prakruti Maniar, Founder and Storyteller at Purple Pencil Project, and Falguni Lakhani Adams, an Emmy and Peabody Award–winning Executive Producer and nonfiction storyteller.

Together, they share the books they love, the traditions that keep them grounded, and what this festival means to them.

See also: WATCHLIST: 12 films and shows that Celebrate Filipino American stories for Filipino American History Month

Cold Tea Reads: Stories that capture the spirit of Diwali and celebrate renewal

Yagnaseni by Pratibha Ray

Book cover with abstract artwork in warm red, orange, yellow, and gray tones depicting stylized flames or lotus petals. Title text reads “Yajnaseni: The Story of Draupadi” by Pratibha Ray, translated by Pradip Bhattacharya.

A reimagining of the Mahabharata through the eyes of Draupadi, this retelling brings feminine strength and voice to one of India’s most iconic epics.

“Between Yagnaseni and The Palace of Illusions, I preferred Yagnaseni more,” shares Prakruti Maniar.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Bright yellow-orange book cover with blue and white lettering for the title “The Seven Year Slip.” Silhouettes of two red-toned figures stand within the letters. Leaves and branches accent the corners. The author’s name, Ashley Poston, appears at the top in turquoise.

A tender and time-bending story about love, grief, and second chances. For Prakruti, it’s the perfect feel-good escape amid life’s chaos. “For a nice light read, and I need that to beat the office blues.”

The Songs of Our People by Anurag Banerjee

Minimalist book cover with a textured gray background and large black embossed text reading “THE SONGS OF OUR PEOPLE.” There are no other images or decorations.

A rich collection capturing the voices and traditions of Khasi musicians, celebrating Northeast India’s cultural diversity through rhythm and story.

Maniar describes it as “a stunning collection of Khasi musicians, and I enjoy exploring the different Indian cultures.”

Laxmi’s Diwali Dream Team by Anjali Joshi and Avani Modi Sarkar

Illustrated book cover of “Laxmi’s Diwali Dream Team.” A young girl dressed in green and gold traditional Indian clothing holds diyas while riding a large brown owl alongside a pink elephant wearing a gold crown. The background features swirling teal clouds and golden Diwali motifs. Title text appears in magenta and black.

A vibrant children’s story about Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity, and her festival adventures. A joyful, accessible introduction to the meaning of Diwali.

“Laxmi is the goddess of prosperity and the one I most relate to for Diwali. It’s a comprehensible book and focuses on the light over dark,” shares Falguni Lakhani Adams.

How we celebrate Diwali

Prakruti Maniar (she/her), Founder and Storyteller, Purple Pencil Project

Prakruti smiles while standing outdoors at night in front of a white stone railing. She is wearing a red blouse with puffed sleeves and a long, patterned skirt in shades of pink, purple, and black. Colorful string lights hang above her, and trees are visible in the background under soft evening lighting.
Prakruit Maniar. Photo submitted.

Writer with a background in journalism and digital humanities, working at the intersection of language, culture, and tech. Her mission? To decolonize storytelling online.

“For me, Diwali is less about the religious aspect and more about the freshness of the season; it’s like spring in the West. It’s a time for deep cleaning homes, buying new clothes, putting on fancier upholstery, and enjoying that sense of renewal,” says Maniar.

“The nostalgia is so strong because growing up, we’d get longer breaks in school around this time. Since Diwali is followed by the Hindu New Year, I also take this time to set goals and plan ahead, avoiding the January rush.”

Falguni Lakhani Adams (she/her), Executive Producer, Documentaries, Nonfiction, and Podcasts

Falguni with long wavy hair and a jeweled bindi on her forehead poses outdoors in front of a black metal fence. She wears a magenta outfit with beadwork and matching earrings, and the background shows trees with autumn leaves.
Falguni Lakhani Adams. Photo submitted.

An Emmy and Peabody Award–winning producer, writer, and Executive Producer with more than 20 years of experience creating nonfiction stories across TV, digital media, and long-form audio. Her work includes Unknown Amazon with Pedro Andrade, Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11, United Shades of America, and more. She likes to celebrate by supporting South Asian-owned brands.

“I celebrate with lighting candles and doing Rangoli with my family, care of Kulture Khazana. I also bless my family, and we eat traditional sweets from Malai Ice Cream. Their collab with Palak Patel’s The Chutney Life for the Diwali Collection is divine.”

A woman in a black outfit holds a decorated plate with lit candles, performing an aarti ceremony for another woman wearing a red outfit. They are indoors, surrounded by soft, warm light and a calm atmosphere. The woman performing the aarti has a focused, serene expression.
Photo Submitted by: Falguni Lakhani Adams
A young boy smiles while holding a lit sparkler outside at night. He wears a blue LA T-shirt and dark shorts, standing on a driveway near a parked car. The warm glow of the sparkler illuminates his face and hands.
Photo Submitted by: Falguni Lakhani Adams
Falguni sits gracefully on a bright pink and gold ornate couch in a formal setting. She wears a flowing magenta gown with a beaded bodice and matching shawl, holding a black clutch. The room is filled with guests in traditional attire, and the carpet features floral designs in red and gold tones.
Photo submitted by: Falguni Lakhani Adams

“I love using my Our Place Diwali items, decorating with marigolds all over my home, and supporting creators like Avani Modi Sarkar. She has these adorable stuffed animals that I love to gift to my kids and their friends,” she shares.

We extend our gratitude to Prakruti Maniar and Falguni Lakhani Adams for sharing their stories, favorite reads, and traditions that celebrate Diwali as a time of reflection, renewal, and light.

As Diwali reminds us, illumination isn’t just about lamps and candles; it’s about the stories that connect us, the joy we create, and the communities we uplift.

Wishing you and your loved ones a bright, love-filled, and joyful Diwali.

See also: Must-watch films at the 45th Annual Hawai‘i International Film Festival

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Authors

Dennis Tran is a social impact storyteller, DEIA speaker, and consultant committed to fostering a neuroinclusive and accessible world. As a queer, partially blind, late-identified autistic-ADHDer (AuDHD) Vietnamese American with C-PTSD and glaucoma, Dennis channels his lived experiences to support others navigating similar challenges. Holding a degree in Public Health Policy with a Business Management minor from UC Irvine, Dennis has successfully built a multi-faceted career across sectors, including digital media, technology, healthcare, entertainment, and philanthropy.

Through storytelling, cultural and disability inclusion consultation, and accessibility advising, Dennis empowers neurodivergent and disabled individuals to live fulfilling lives. His advocacy work emphasizes the transformative power of representation and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where individuals don’t have to hide or “overcome” who they are. Dennis is passionate about uplifting the AANHPI community, addressing cultural stigma, and bridging intergenerational gaps.

Dennis has spoken at UCSF, CSUF, Autodesk, Steelcase, and Heap, sharing insights on neurodiversity, anti-ableism, and DEIA best practices. His work is driven by the belief that disability and neurodiversity are not a limitation but a source of resilience and creativity.

 

Natasha Jung

Natasha is a multi-disciplinary creative, community builder, and public speaker. She has a background in marketing, broadcast television, live event production and education. In 2021, she was named a finalist in BC Business Magazine’s Women of the Year Awards as a finalist in the Community Builder category. She has also been recognized by Deloitte Canada, Chinese Womens’ Association of Canada and the City of Richmond as a Top 30 Under 30. In 2019, Natasha delivered a TEDx talk about navigating cultural expectations in a cup of tea and why she started Cold Tea Collective.

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