Book Summary –
White as Milk and Rice is a collection of deeply human, carefully researched narrative essays that explore the lives of India’s lesser-known communities and marginalized groups. Through immersive storytelling, Nidhi Dugar Kundalia brings to light the disappearing traditions, forgotten identities, and complex social realities of people who often remain invisible in mainstream discourse. Each chapter focuses on a different community—such as the Paniyas of Kerala, the Sidi tribe of Gujarat, or the Devadasis of Karnataka—revealing their struggles, cultural richness, and the forces that threaten their existence, from modernization and migration to systemic neglect. Written with empathy and journalistic rigor, the book sheds light on the beauty, contradictions, and resilience of these groups, urging readers to acknowledge and preserve India’s diverse social fabric.
About the Author –
Nidhi Dugar Kundalia is an Indian journalist and narrative nonfiction writer known for her sensitive reportage and ability to uncover stories hidden within the country’s cultural and social margins. With a background in sociology and journalism, she has contributed to prominent publications and developed a distinctive voice that blends storytelling with investigative depth. Her earlier work, The Lost Generation, examined the lives of traditional Indian professions facing extinction. In White as Milk and Rice, Kundalia continues her exploration of underrepresented communities, combining field research with powerful storytelling to celebrate diversity while highlighting issues of identity, inequality, and historical erasure.
