Nilima Rao's Debut Novel Explores Colonial Indentured Labor in Fiji
Nilima Rao, an author of Indo-Fijian heritage from Australia, has released her first novel titled "Sombres plantations : Enquête aux Fidji" (Dark Plantations: Investigation in Fiji) through Éditions du Vent des îles. This book, the inaugural installment of a trilogy, follows Sikh Sergeant Akal Singh, a police officer in early 20th-century Fiji, as he delves into the harsh realities of the indentured labor system. Born in Fiji and relocating to Australia at the age of three, Rao began her writing journey at 20. A visit to India sparked her fascination with her roots and the 60,000 Indian laborers in Fiji. The 245-page novel, which intertwines fiction with historical elements, is translated by Mireille Vignol and retails for 21 euros.
Key facts
- Nilima Rao is an Australian author of Indo-Fijian descent.
- Her debut novel 'Sombres plantations : Enquête aux Fidji' is published in French by Éditions du Vent des îles.
- The novel is the first in a series of three crime stories featuring Sikh Sergeant Akal Singh.
- The story is set in early 20th-century Fiji and explores the colonial indentured labor system.
- Rao's ancestors were indentured laborers in British colonies.
- She spent two months in Fiji in 2016 researching archives.
- The character Akal Singh is inspired by real Sikh police officers transferred from Hong Kong to Fiji.
- The novel is translated by Mireille Vignol, 245 pages, 21 euros.
Entities
Artists
- Nilima Rao
Institutions
- Éditions du Vent des îles
- RFI
Locations
- Fiji
- Australia
- India
- Delhi
- Agra
- Hong Kong
- Suva
- Calcutta