Ahimsa

Ahimsa is Supriya Kelkar’s debut novel. It was published in 2017 and follows 10-year-old Anjali as her mother joins the freedom movement in 1942 India. Throughout the novel, she learns about the caste system, religious differences, and advocacy for nonviolence. This historical fiction novel won the New Visions Award, which is given to a middle grade or young adult novel by an author of color. In addition, the novel received a starred review from the ALA Booklist and the School Library Journal. Kelkar’s other works include The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh (2019), American as Paneer Pie (2020), Bindu’s Bindis (2021), That Thing about Bollywood (2021), Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame (2021), and The Cobra’s Song (2023). Her children’s books include The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh (2019), Brown Is Beautiful (2022), and My Name (2023). Kelkar is also an illustrator whose artwork appears in American Desi (2022) by Jyoti Raan Gopal and My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani (2022).

This study guide refers to the 2017 version of Ahimsa published by Tu Books, an imprint of Lee and Low Books.

Content Warning: This guide includes discussions of violence.

Plot Summary

Ahimsa opens with Anjali and her friend Irfaan painting a “Q” on Captain Brent’s property.