From Salman Rushdie to Mira Nair: Where these 9 Indian-origin global media and literary icons studied

Time of India

a day ago

Indian-origin writers, poets, and media personalities have left an indelible mark on global storytelling — from reshaping modern fiction to redefining how marginalized voices are heard.
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What's often overlooked is how their academic journeys helped shape their perspectives, sharpen their language, and fuel their global influence.
Here are 9 Indian-origin literary and media icons — and the schools and universities that helped launch them into the world stage.
Salman Rushdie
A
towering figure in global literature, Salman Rushdie is known for blending magical realism with deep political and historical themes.
Notable works:
Midnight's Children
,
The Satanic Verses
Education:
School: Rugby School, UK
Rugby School, UK University: King's College, University of Cambridge – BA in History
Rushdie's classical British education combined with his South Asian roots created the perfect storm for his postcolonial and magical realist fiction. His time at Cambridge exposed him to historical frameworks that would shape the narrative structure of
Midnight's Children
.
Jhumpa Lahiri
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has redefined diaspora fiction with her elegant, introspective storytelling.
Notable works:
Interpreter of Maladies
,
The Namesake
Education:
Undergrad: Barnard College, Columbia University – BA in English Literature
Barnard College, Columbia University – BA in English Literature Graduate: Boston University – MA, MFA, and PhD in English and Comparative Literature
Lahiri's deep academic grounding in English literature, followed by formal creative writing training, allowed her to develop her precise style — one that powerfully explores diaspora identity.
Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy is both a celebrated novelist and a fearless activist, using her voice to challenge injustice through fiction and non-fiction alike.
Notable works:
The God of Small Things
,
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
Education:
Schooling: Corpus Christi School, Delhi
Corpus Christi School, Delhi College: Delhi School of Architecture
Roy's background in architecture taught her how to structure space and story — evident in her complex, multi-layered narrative style.
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Her formal training gave her an artistic eye and an activist's soul, both of which define her work.
Amitav Ghosh
A global literary figure, Amitav Ghosh is known for weaving history, politics, and ecology into sprawling, ambitious novels.
Notable works:
The Ibis Trilogy
,
The Shadow Lines
Education:
Undergrad: St. Stephen's College, Delhi – History
St. Stephen's College, Delhi – History Postgrad: Delhi School of Economics – MA
Delhi School of Economics – MA PhD: Oxford University – Social Anthropology
Ghosh's work is deeply informed by his academic journey across history and anthropology. His novels are meticulously researched, and his educational foundation allows him to write richly about colonialism, trade, and climate.
Kiran Desai
The daughter of celebrated author Anita Desai, Kiran made her own mark in the literary world with a Booker Prize-winning novel at just 35.
Notable works:
The Inheritance of Loss
Education:
Undergrad: Bennington College, USA
Bennington College, USA MFA: Columbia University – Creative Writing
Desai studied creative writing at some of the top literary programs in the U.S., developing a quiet, nuanced voice that explores displacement, immigration, and postcolonial identity.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
A poet, novelist, and academic, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is known for blending mythology and feminism into stories that resonate globally.
Notable works:
The Palace of Illusions
,
The Mistress of Spices
Education:
Undergrad: University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta Postgrad: Wright State University (MA), University of California, Berkeley (PhD in English)
Divakaruni's fusion of mythology and feminist storytelling is backed by decades of literary education. Her writing bridges East and West, offering Indian narratives to a global audience with poetic precision.
Mira Nair
An award-winning filmmaker, Mira Nair has brought Indian stories to international audiences with emotional depth and social commentary.
Notable works:
Monsoon Wedding
,
The Namesake
Education
:
Undergrad: University of Delhi – Sociology
University of Delhi – Sociology Graduate: Harvard University – Visual and Environmental Studies
Though primarily known as a filmmaker, Nair's roots are in storytelling and social analysis. Her studies at Harvard helped her merge documentary realism with cinematic narrative — a style seen in her adaptations of literary works.
Fareed Zakaria
Fareed Zakaria is a globally recognized political commentator and journalist, known for his intelligent, balanced analysis of world affairs.
Notable works:
The Post-American World
,
In Defense of a Liberal Education
Education:
Undergrad: Yale University – BA in History
Yale University – BA in History Graduate: Harvard University – PhD in Government
Born in Mumbai, Zakaria pursued history at Yale, where he was editor of the
Yale Political Monthly
and a member of the prestigious Scroll and Key society. He later earned a PhD in government from Harvard under the mentorship of Samuel P. Huntington. His elite academic training in political theory and international relations laid the foundation for his globally respected journalism.
Meera Syal
An accomplished writer, actress, and comedian, Meera Syal's work explores the British-Asian experience with humour, empathy, and sharp social insight.
Notable works:
Anita and Me
,
Goodness Gracious Me
(TV)
Education:
University: University of Manchester – English and Drama
With a degree in both literature and performance, Syal blends comedy, cultural commentary, and emotional depth in her work. Her education helped her develop a unique voice in both literature and screenwriting that resonates with diasporic audiences.
Education played a powerful role in shaping the worldviews and voices of these literary and media icons. Whether through literature, screenwriting, poetry, or journalism, their words continue to travel across cultures — reflecting their roots and reimagining the future.