40+ popular books by Indian Author Sudha Murty


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About Sudha Murty

Sudha Murty is a familiar name in India. An idol for many she is an MTech who is also the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, a software giant in India. This inspirational lady is a recipient of the R.K. Narayan Award in Literature and the Padma Shri.

A prolific writer her books have been translated into all major Indian languages. Her stories whether true or fictional entice readers young and old. As much as she can entertain, she also compels you to think through her anecdotes.

If it is this complete list of best Sudha Murthy books you’re looking for you’ve arrived at the right place.


Best Sudha Murty Books


Unique Book Recommendations to help you find your next read


Best Books for Adults by Sudha Murty



Three Thousand Stitches is a non-fiction collection of 11 true short stories that are inspired by Sudha Murty’s real-life experiences, as a person with an everyday upbringing and also as the chairperson of Infosys Foundation.

The book portrays many stories one of them being the rescue and rehabilitation of three 3000 devadasis in Karnataka, who as a token of gratitude wove her a quilt with stitches from each of the beneficiaries, and hence the title.

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The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk is a collection of charming anecdotes from Suddha Murty’s life, written while she walked the roads of rural and urban India.

The title story is a story about Sudha Murty’s visit to Odisha and about the poor tribes she met there.


Wise And Otherwise, another collection of fifty excerpts from the real-life incidents of Sudha Murty where she encounters ordinary people with extraordinary thinking during her travels. 

The narrator enters Long Island’s world of the fabulously wealthy and meets the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.

A fascinating book, also adapted into movies, that everyone should read at least once.


The story of Shrikant and Shrimati who belong to two unfriendly communities but fall in love. The characters will stay with you forever.

The love between conflicting communities is a common happening in India, so the story will hit home. 


"Mahashweta" is a story about a woman named Anupama who faces a lot of challenges. Her husband leaves her when she gets sick with leukoderma, a skin condition. People treat her badly because they think she's not worth much without a husband. Anupama decides to start a new life in Mumbai. There, she works hard and becomes successful. She proves to everyone that she's strong and capable, no matter what others might think.


"Dollar Bahu" is a story about Gauramma and her two daughters-in-law, Jamuna and Vinuta. Gauramma likes Jamuna more because she sends her money (dollars), while Vinuta is kind and loving but doesn't have much money. Gauramma doesn't realize that Vinuta's love is more valuable than money.


This book is a collection of stories that show different sides of people in India. Some stories are about big events like the tsunami, while others are about women trying to be heard or young people navigating work. Each story teaches important values like being kind, independent, and generous.



Living in a village and living in a city are very different. In "House of Cards," Mridula, a village girl, falls in love with a doctor, Sanjay, and they move to Bangalore. Mridula struggles with the fast-paced and materialistic city life, which causes problems in their marriage.



Something Happened on the Way to Heaven is an assortment of twenty remarkable true-life stories. Handpicked by Suddha Murty from a contest run by Penguin, they capture the hope, faith, kindness, and joy that life is full of, even as we make our way through the daily grind.


Here, There and Everywhere is Sudha Murty’s 200th literary work across genres and languages. This book is the best of the best. Bringing together the best stories from her many works and adding some new ones to the collection makes this book as multidimensional and varied as the author herself.


Two novellas, two protagonists, exploring one quest – finding the mother they never knew they had.

The book raises some important questions about adoption, step-mothers, and complex family relations in general. It is an emotional, and intense read that helps us discover our deepest feelings about our near and dear ones.


"Common Yet Uncommon" is a book by Sudha Murty about regular people with interesting quirks. It tells stories about Bundle Bindu, who likes to exaggerate, Jayant the shopkeeper who never makes a profit, and Lunchbox Nalini, who always carries an empty lunchbox to be filled with food. These stories are about everyday life, childhood memories, and the people Sudha Murty has met.

The characters in the book are not rich or famous but are kind and genuine. It shows that being human means having faults but also being generous and compassionate.



Short Essays/True Accounts by Sudha Murty



As much as Sudha Murty is a great entertaining author, she is equally good at making the readers think through her stories. A man’s last rites are traditionally performed by their son. But Sudha Murty questions this age-old tradition when a Pandit denies her this right when her father passed away.


The essay unfolds the love of three different women, through their selfless acts that go against society. Set in rural India the essay begins forth a woman’s struggle in solving everyday problems, beautifully.


What happens when a son takes over a father’s settled business? He demands importance and respect just like his father was given and seeks it desperately. Emotionally compelling and subtly generous, Sudha Murty beautifully articulates the difference between fighting and forgiving.


The strife between two women with opposite natures living under one roof is not something unknown. But tragedy pulls the two together and a mother’s love triumphs over all differences.


Sudha Murty finds an abandoned girl at a railway station. The essay recounts how a single act of kindness holds the power to change an entire life. How the act of a single person can make the world of difference to someone.


The essay reflects urban life today asking us the question – how can a man who has everything in life not be happy? Through the story of two sons one living in New York and one in a village, we find the answer to this all-important question.


India is a land of snake-charmers and cows on the streets, which is what most developed countries believe. How do you make foreigners see past this prejudice and move beyond demeaning stereotypes? Read this essay to find out.


Other Noteworthy Essays/True Accounts by Sudha Murty



Best Books for Children by Sudha Murty



A Collection of 20+ illustrated short stories, traditional Indian folk tales for all ages for children of all ages by Sudha Murty. Stories of animals, moral stories of people and so many more interesting tales that will help engage the little ones as they gather around to listen and read.

These stories will evoke nostalgia in adults and vivid imagination in the kids.


25 stories that recount the author’s experiences from her childhood to her life as a mother and a teacher. The stories are packed with humor, inspiration, life lessons, in short, pure entertainment. Sudha Murty’s writing style is effortless and she will carry you effortlessly through her pages.


Illustrated, easy to read, and much-loved first full-length children’s fiction novel by Sudha Murty for ages 8–12. A city girl is about to experience village life. And she is fascinated. Especially when during her play in the forest she finds an ancient stepwell. Join her in this adventure through this charming story.


This is a story about a girl named Nooni who visits her grandparents in Somanahalli after being stuck at home during lockdown. She remembers her adventures in "The Magic of the Lost Temple," where she explored a stepwell and village life for the first time. Excited to explore outside again, Nooni discovers a missing piece of her family's history.  The book takes you on a journey along the Tungabhadra River, teaching the value of asking questions and discovering answers.


Stories of the epic, Mahabharata, have always enthralled audiences young and old. And there are so many stories from this mythological tome, which are as yet unheard. Discover these epic tales through this charming book.


The Bird with Golden Wings is an enchanting book of short stories for kids. It has many well-crafted stories that will help kids learn about various morals and merits in life. From a bird with golden wings, a clever cook, to a Banana tree princess- this book is packed with stories that highlight the importance of moral values.


Stories from mythology about the holy trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Never before heard stories of these popular Indian deities told extraordinarily.


Mythology stories about women. When was the last time you read stories about Indian goddesses? But did you know that they played a powerful role in the survival of the human race? Their fierce protection instinct, their strength, their mystery, and their fearlessness will leave you spellbound. Read about these forgotten but empowering tales that will remind you of the strong women in your life.


This is a three-book series about a dog called Gopi. Told through Gopi’s perspective it tells down his story of settling down with a loving, caring family. What a dog thinks and sees about the world around him and the people that care for him gives the book a unique appeal.




The stories in this collection surround the two most popular avatars/re-incarnations of Lord Vishnu-Rama and Krishna-and their ancestry. Numerous stories about the two popular deities flourish, yet most are simply waning from the hearts and minds of the current and forthcoming generations.

This is a book of interesting stories from Indian mythology. It includes stories about a king who sacrificed his own flesh for a pigeon, a magical throne that gives justice, and a sculptor who made statues without hands.

 The book has stories about gods, sages, kings, and ordinary people, making it exciting for everyone to read.



Ever wondered, why does the onion has so many layers? Why does it make us cry? Uncover answers to these questions through beautiful illustrations and simple but witty writing.


A long, long time ago, seawater was sweet and drinkable. How it became salty is a remarkable story.

The author’s witty storytelling brings alive this timeless tale with simplicity.


This is a story about how mangoes became sweet.  It's a great book for kids who are just starting to read longer stories.


This is a story about how the Earth became beautiful, with its mountains, oceans, flowers, and animals. Sudha Murty tells this tale in a fun and simple way. The book has lovely illustrations.



This is a story about a shy tree in a forest that gets a reward from the forest queen, which makes all the other animals curious. Sudha Murty tells this tale about the bamboo, which is a symbol of endurance and selflessness. It's a lovely book that celebrates forests, trees, and the gifts they give us.


Sudha Murty’s collection of 30+ classic short stories and folk tales for children, ages 9-12

A coconut that cost a thousand rupees, a princess who thinks she was a bird, and a shepherd with a bag of words kings and misers, princes and paupers, wise men and foolish boys. The funniest and oddest men and women come to life in this glittery new compilation of folklore.


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