The idea of “caste,” or a hereditary structure to society is foreign to many U.S. audiences. But Padma Venkatraman takes young readers into the caste structure of her native India in a soulful exploration of identity and hope.

Venkatraman is an award-winning author who was born in Chennai, India.  Before becoming a novelist, she earned a Ph.D. in oceanography from The College of William and Mary.  She conducted postdoctoral research in Environmental Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and later worked in Germany.  She also served as head of Inwoods Small School, and taught oceanography and directed diversity efforts at the University of Rhode Island.  Venkatraman is the author of five novels including “Climbing the Stairs,”  “Island’s End,” “A Time to Dance,” and “The Bridge Home.”  She has written several other books, including: “Double Stars: The Story of Caroline Herschel (Profiles in Science),” “Women Mathematicians (Profiles in Mathematics),” and the illustrated “Growing Gold” and “Cleverest Thief.”  Her latest novel, “Born Behind Bars,” was published this month.

The idea of &ldquo;caste,&rdquo; or a hereditary structure to society is foreign to many U.S. audiences. But Padma Venkatraman takes young readers into the caste structure of her native India in a soulful exploration of identity and hope.
Venkatraman is an award-winning author who was born in Chennai, India. &nbsp;Before becoming a novelist, she earned a Ph.D. in oceanography from The College of William and Mary.&nbsp; She conducted postdoctoral research in Environmental Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and later worked in Germany.&nbsp; She also served as head of Inwoods Small School, and taught oceanography and directed diversity efforts at the University of Rhode Island.&nbsp; Venkatraman is the author of five novels including &ldquo;Climbing the Stairs,&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Island&rsquo;s End,&rdquo; &ldquo;A Time to Dance,&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Bridge Home.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;She has written several other books, including: &ldquo;Double Stars: The Story of Caroline Herschel (Profiles in Science),&rdquo; &ldquo;Women Mathematicians (Profiles in Mathematics),&rdquo; and the illustrated &ldquo;Growing Gold&rdquo; and &ldquo;Cleverest Thief.&rdquo; &nbsp;Her latest novel, &ldquo;Born Behind Bars,&rdquo; was published this month.

Story in the Public Square is a weekly, 30-minute series that brings audiences to the intersection of storytelling and public affairs. Hosted by Jim Ludes and G. Wayne Miller, Story in the Public Square offers a spirited but respectful dialogue. Often funny, always provocative, each episode of Story in the Public Square
moves beyond traditional public affairs programming to consider the impact of narrative and storytelling on public life today.

Story in the Public Square is a weekly, 30-minute series that brings audiences to the intersection of storytelling and public affairs. Hosted by Jim Ludes and G. Wayne Miller, Story in the Public Square offers a spirited but respectful dialogue. Often funny, always provocative, each episode of Story in the Public Square moves beyond traditional public affairs programming to consider the impact of narrative and storytelling on public life today.

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