Archana Maniar releases historical novel The Lost Photograph

Archana Maniar’s historical novel, The Lost Photograph, follows a dual timeline set in 1929 and 2019. The story begins when Jaanvi Chowdhury, an overworked surgeon in Boston, discovers a mysterious photograph and letters in her attic.

These artifacts reveal the life of her great-aunt, Kalyani Joshi, who was one of the first Indian women to study medicine in 1920s London. As Jaanvi uncovers Kalyani’s history, she learns about her ancestor’s experiences with colonial oppression, her involvement in India’s independence movement, and her relationship with Alexander, the son of a Scottish missionary.

The narrative explores how Kalyani’s struggle for opportunity and identity influences Jaanvi as she navigates her own professional and personal challenges in the modern era.