Nisha in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s books, The Conch Bearer and The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, is an orphan. She is a street sweeper in Kolkata, India(Calcutta). At night, she sleeps on the ground beneath a sweet shop stall.

Nisha is keen-eyed with street-smarts. She is the perfect foil to Anand who leads a sheltered life. Also, unlike Anand she has a bubbly personality and chatters nonstop.

Smart Nisha desiring to leave her life of sweeping streets, blackmails Anand into joining him on his quest. She knows where Abhaydatta, the healer, wants to join him. She refuses to tell him the place; she takes him personally to the location.

Nisha uses her street-smarts to gain access to the train platform without a ticket. The ticket checker catches Anand, barring his way to the platform. Also, it is Nisha who warns Anand not to eat the food served on the train.

The reason for Nisha’s interest in Abhaydatta is that his eyes remind her of her grandfather. Nisha separated from her family, has not seen her grandfather for years. In fact, she does not know her name. She with Abhaydatta chooses the name, Nisha.

Abhaydatta, a member of the Brotherhood of Healers, has the children pose as his grandchildren. Family less, Nisha adopts the old man. She calls Abhaydatta, Dadaji, grandfather easily. Anand stumbles when using the term.

Nisha proves to be the best friend to have while on a magical quest. Read Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s fantasy novels, The Conch Bearer and The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, for Nisha's adventures. She is a steadfast friend with some secret powers of her own. The Conch Bearer and The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming are available in paperback now.



Sign up to receive the free Children's Books Reviews newsletter. Do not miss any future articles.

Dr. Seuss' Books
Don Freeman's Books
Stan Berenstain's Books