Ritu Hemnani Inspires Through Resilience, Identity, and Cultural Heritage
A Glimpse Into the Power of Verse and Cultural Preservation Through Writing
Ritu Hemnani’s writing explores migration, resilience, and cultural heritage, using verse novels to connect generations and inspire empathy and understanding in readers worldwide.
Ritu Hemnani continues to captivate readers with her remarkable storytelling, blending historical narratives and personal heritage to explore themes of migration, identity, and cultural preservation. Her latest work, Lion of the Sky, a historical middle-grade novel in verse, has resonated deeply with audiences, offering a poignant exploration of resilience through the lens of migration. As an author and advocate for preserving cultural stories, Ritu’s work speaks to the importance of understanding our shared humanity. With her upcoming picture book, Their Story Is Our Story, set for release in 2026, Ritu promises to inspire even more readers with tales that bridge generations and cultures.
Ritu Hemnani’s storytelling illuminates the resilience of the human spirit, celebrating diversity and fostering deep connections across generations and cultures.
Ritu Hemnani stands as a beacon of literary brilliance, weaving stories that transcend borders and generations. As an author, journalist, and educator, Ritu’s work celebrates the power of storytelling to foster empathy, preserve heritage, and embrace diversity. Her historical middle-grade novel in verse, Lion of the Sky, published by HarperCollins in 2024, has already captured readers’ hearts with its poignant exploration of migration, resilience, and identity. Additionally, her forthcoming narrative non-fiction picture book, Their Story Is Our Story, set to be released by Chronicle Books in 2026, promises to further solidify her status as a masterful storyteller who connects the past and present with grace and insight.
Ritu’s ability to delve into the complexities of human experience, particularly through the lens of her own family’s history and cultural heritage, is both moving and inspiring. A British national of Indian descent who calls Hong Kong home, Ritu’s multicultural perspective enriches her narratives, making them universally resonant while remaining deeply rooted in authenticity. Her TEDx Talk, An Inheritance Worth Sharing, gives a glimpse into the personal journey that fuels her creative endeavors, while her contributions to the South China Morning Post reflect her commitment to amplifying diverse voices.
In this exclusive interview, Ritu shares the inspirations behind her works, the challenges and rewards of writing in verse, and her hopes for the younger generation. Her words are a call to embrace our shared humanity, honour our roots, and find strength in our stories.
A Legacy of Resilience
Ritu Hemnani’s writing is deeply influenced by her family’s history, particularly the trauma of the Partition of India. The partition, which displaced 14 million people and resulted in over a million deaths, left a legacy of loss, longing, and courage. This profound history compelled Ritu to explore the emotions tied to migration and uprooting in her work. Through interviews with elders in her community, Ritu uncovered stories that reveal both the horrors of displacement and the remarkable bravery of those who survived. In her novel Lion of the Sky, she brings these stories to life, focusing on the theme of hope emerging from even the darkest moments.
The Power of Verse
Choosing to write Lion of the Sky as a verse novel allowed Ritu to bring a musicality to the story, exploring line breaks, rhythm, and punctuation to enhance the emotional resonance. Writing in verse offers readers a unique way to connect with characters, and for Ritu, it was the perfect format to convey complex feelings in an accessible way. The structure of the verse novel, with its concise lines and white space, creates natural pauses that allow readers to absorb the gravity of the story. This structure is especially helpful for reluctant readers, making the story feel less daunting while still carrying deep emotional weight.
Cultural Preservation Through Storytelling
Ritu’s TEDx Talk on cultural preservation significantly shaped her storytelling approach. Through her talk, she realized how crucial it is to preserve cultural heritage and collective memories through storytelling. She believes that by incorporating elements of her own cultural background, she can help young people connect with their roots and foster empathy for others. In sharing stories of resilience and identity, Ritu hopes to inspire younger generations to embrace their histories, appreciate different cultures, and recognize the power of their own voices.
Writing for a Global Audience
With her multicultural upbringing and global experiences, Ritu has mastered the art of bridging cultural divides in her storytelling. By focusing on universal themes like love, loss, and resilience, she ensures that her stories resonate with readers from all walks of life. At the same time, she remains true to her cultural roots, enriching her narratives with specific details about language, customs, and historical contexts. Through relatable characters and universal struggles, Ritu’s work fosters dialogue and connection among diverse audiences, highlighting the common threads that unite us all.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
When asked about advice for aspiring writers, Ritu emphasizes the importance of embracing authenticity. Writers should draw from their own experiences and cultural backgrounds, infusing their work with sincerity and depth. Experimenting with different formats and engaging with the writing community for feedback can help writers find their unique voice. Above all, Ritu encourages aspiring writers to remain dedicated to continuous learning and to stay true to the stories they want to tell.
Originally published in Reader’s House Magazine.
