Pupul Jayakar

Pupul Jayakar was an author and Indian cultural activist. She was also a close personal friend to the Nehru-Gandhi family. Jayakar authored notable books such as Indira Gandhi: A Biography, J. Krishnamurti: A Biography, Fire in the Mind: Dialogues with J. Krishnamurti, and Textiles and Ornaments of India: A Selection of Designs.

Jayakar was a graduate of the Bedford College and the London School Of Economics. Upon returning to India, Jayakar started a children’s magazine and later became involved in politics as an assistant to Mridula Sarabhai, a Congress activist. Jayakar was cultural adviser to the Government of India and the executive director of the Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation of India. Jayakar was also an active member in the Krishnamurti Foundation. She was married to Manmohan Jayakar. After marriage they both settled in Mumbai. Together, they had a daughter. Jayakar passed away in 1997.