Thanjavur, 1920s. One night, the devadasi Kanaka disappears and, as if in her place, a statue of a woman in pure gold mysteriously appears in the temple to which she had been dedicated. Many villagers assume that Kanaka has turned into the girl made of gold. Through the story of Kanaka’s disappearance, Gitanjali Kolanad gives us a beautifully realized world – of priests, zamindars and devadasis, and of art, desire and their dark reverse sides. Girl Made of Gold is a mystery, thrillingly told, and also a moving human story of the pursuit of love and freedom. About the Author Gitanjali Kolanad has been involved in the practice,performance and teaching of bharata natyam for more than forty years. Her writing is a continuation of her fascination with dance and dancing bodies. Girl Made of Gold is her first novel.