Sita Kapadia is Professor Emeritus of English, Asian Literature, and World Literature at the City University of New York. Born and raised in India, Sita grew up in a progressive and humanitarian family deeply rooted in Gandhian values, with her father’s principles and her mother’s extraordinary artistic talent shaping her worldview.
Sita’s journey has taken her from India to Singapore and Malaysia and finally to the United States, where she has made significant contributions to education. She is the author of The Woman Beside Gandhi: A Biography of Kasturba, Wife of the Mahatma, a work deeply connected to her family’s values and her childhood desire to meet Kasturba Gandhi.
In addition to her academic achievements, Sita is a self-trained artist, sculptor, and master gardener. Now almost 88 years old, she continues to embody resilience, creativity, and a lifelong passion for learning. Her life and work are a testament to the enduring power of art, education, and storytelling.
Key themes emerging out of our conversation:
- Every day might bring something new to learn.
- The importance of having invincible faith and belief.
- Acknowledging the regret of not cultivating certain friendships.
- Resilience, humility, and quiet leadership learned from Kasturba.
- If the soul is eager and there is a desire, anything can be achieved.
- An unusually progressive upbringing where equality was at its core.
- My experience as a teacher in the prison was deeply humane and enlightening.
- The spark to write Kasturba's story came from a drive to seek more answers.
- Literature is a medium that cuts through life's busyness, revealing core truths.
- A feisty spirit from the mother and progressive Gandhian values from the father.
- If the soul is eager and there is a genuine desire to help, anything can be achieved.
- A true Vaishnava follower of the Lord is one who understands the pain of another.
- Patience and support from a partner enabled the pursuit of interests and ambitions.
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