author
Dhan Gopal Mukerji
1890–1936
A pioneering Indian-born writer in America, he brought the landscapes, animals, and spiritual traditions of India vividly to life for young readers. Best known for "Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon," he helped open a path for South Asian voices in U.S. literature.
3 Audiobooks
Gay-Neck : The story of a pigeon
by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
Sandhya : Songs of twilight
by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
Kari the elephant
by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
About the author
Born in Bengal in 1890, Dhan Gopal Mukerji became one of the first Indian authors to build a major literary career in the United States. He studied in India, Japan, and the U.S., and his writing often drew on Indian culture, folklore, and the natural world.
Mukerji wrote essays, autobiographical works, and many books for children. His best-known book, Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon, won the 1928 Newbery Medal, making him the first writer of Indian origin to receive that honor. His stories are remembered for their warmth, strong sense of place, and the way they introduced many American readers to India through animal tales and spiritual themes.
His life ended in 1936, but his work still stands out as an early bridge between Indian and American literary worlds. For listeners today, his books offer both adventure and a glimpse of a writer who was quietly groundbreaking.