Supriya Kelkar on And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance

In this post, we feature award-winning author Supriya Kelkar, whose previous titles include Ahimsa, which was named a Junior Library Guild Selection, among many other honors. You can hear her speak about her new picture book, And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance, which she also illustrated. You can also try her “invitation to imagine” activity and find other resources to explore. Thanks for joining us, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Supriya Kelkar and the cover of And Yet You Shine

And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance

Written and illustrated by Supriya Kelkar
Published by Candlewick Press
Release date: April 2, 2024

The Kohinoor diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, was stolen from India and fought over throughout centuries of colonial conquest, eventually landing in the hands of British royals who tricked a ten-year-old South Asian monarch into relinquishing it. The diamond was ultimately cut to nearly half its size to suit British beauty standards for the crown jewels—and is displayed to this day in the Tower of London museum, a trophy of colonization. Probing, poetic, and shimmering with the colors and patterns of Indian textiles, And Yet You Shine is more than the true story of a precious gem passing hands. Together with the well-researched afterword, the narrative invites readers to consider the origins of museum artifacts and all they represent, how history is recorded, and why acknowledging past injustices and power dynamics can shape the world we live in today—and ensure a just tomorrow. This vibrant and moving meditation on resiliency invites readers of all backgrounds to decolonize—and shine with all their might.

An interior two-page spread of collage and mixed media from And Yet You Shine. On the left-hand side, a South Asian woman in an orange sari holds the hand of a child standing next to a river. On the right side, a young girl kneels by the riverbank.

An interior spread from And Yet You Shine. On the left, two brown hands hold a large round shimmering jewel; on the right, the words "Look at your shine" appear next to a young South Asian boy and girl.

Explore And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance

Listen to Supriya Kelkar talking with TeachingBooks about creating And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance. You can click the player below or experience the recording on TeachingBooks, where you can read along as you listen, and also translate the text to another language.

Invitation to Imagine

TeachingBooks asks each author or illustrator on our Virtual Book Tour to share a writing prompt, a drawing exercise, or just an interesting question to spark curiosity and creativity. Enjoy the following activity contributed by Supriya Kelkar.

Imagination Activity with Supriya Kelkar

And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance is the story of the famous Kohinoor diamond, stolen from South Asia during British Colonization. While it is the story of the diamond, it is also the story of anyone affected by colonization, or anyone who has ever felt less than, reminding us all to never forget our shine. Write or draw the ways you share your brilliant shine with the world.

Finish This Sentence . . . with Supriya Kelkar

As part of our Virtual Book Tour, TeachingBooks asks authors and illustrators to complete short sentence prompts. Enjoy Supriya Kelkar’s response.

“While working on this latest project, I was surprised to learn that…”

While working on this latest project, I was surprised to discover or learn that the Kohinoor diamond was cut down to nearly half its size when it didn’t shine enough for European beauty standards.

“I hope that my book encourages readers to think about…”

I hope that my book may encourage readers to think about the effects of colonization, still seen around the world today: whose story is being centered and whose is being left out? What to do with all the stolen loot on display at museums around the world? I also hope this book inspires kids and readers of all ages to recognize their own brilliant shine and continue to share it with the world.

“Where I work is…”

Where I work is is full of Indian fabrics and bright colors, both things I like to include in my art. In the illustrations for And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance, brightly colored fabrics serve as the river and sea among many other things.

Author / illustrator Supriya Kelkar's writing studio decorated with bright colors and fabrics.

Thank you!

To wrap up this Virtual Book Tour, we thank Supriya Kelkar for signing a book for all of us.

The title page of And Yet You Shine signed by the author, Supriya kelkar, with the message, "Thanks for sharing your brilliant shine!"

More Connections to Supriya Kelkar and And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance

Explore all of the titles featured in the TeachingBooks Virtual Book Tour: one link with author interviews, lesson plans, activities, and more!

All text and images are courtesy of Supriya Kelkar and Candlewick Press and may not be used without expressed written consent.