Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

What lies beneath a perfect marriage

JEEVANI CHARIKA’S NOVEL EXPLORES COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS

by MITA MISTRY


HAVING lived in diverse places, including Sri Lanka, has enabled prolific writer Jeevani Charika to deliver an interesting array of work, including her latest novel A Convenient Marriage.

The versatile British-born writer, who also pens romantic comedies under the name Rhoda Baxter, has delivered another page turner with a neatly crafted novel that revolves around a young woman torn between her duty to family and life in the UK. This leads to a marriage of convenience between two unlikely individuals hiding life-changing secrets.

Eastern Eye caught up with Jeevani Charika to find out more about her latest novel, writing and inspirations.

As a writer, what draws you to a subject?

I’m usually drawn to odd situations that people (usually minor characters in films) are in. I look at them and think ‘I wonder how they feel?’. A lot of my books are explorations sparked by tiny moments. For example, This Stolen Life was sparked by that moment when your child first calls their nursery key worker ‘mummy’.

What inspired your latest book?

I wrote this book in my twenties, when some of my Sri Lankan friends were meeting partners introduced by their parents. In England, a friend of mine once met a man sitting on a park bench, crying. He told her about how he was desperately unhappy because he was in love with another man, but was married and loved his kids. These two ideas collided in my head. Not long afterwards, I was doing a creative writing exercise and (the characters) Gimhana and Chaya showed up. A Convenient Marriage is their story.

Tell us more about the story and the characters?

Chaya gave up the love of her life to avoid upsetting her family and devoted herself to her career. She doesn’t want to get married, but her family are pressuring her. Gimhana is gay, but passes for straight and needs to get married in order to progress at work. They decide that marrying each other will free them to get on with what they want to do. Together they create a perfect looking marriage, with two successful careers.

Tell us more…

But when Gimhana falls in love with another man and Chaya sees her lost love again, they have to choose between following their hearts and destroying everything they’ve built together. Gimhana has a mix of charm and vulnerability that I love. Chaya is reserved and anxious, but underneath it she’s kind and caring. As a pair, they are fun to watch.

What was the biggest challenge while writing the book?

The biggest challenge is getting the words down. With A Convenient Marriage, I was writing a story that spans 17 years, so I had to balance the different time frames. I also hadn’t written a gay man’s point of view before, so I had to ask a gay friend to look through the manuscript and check that I had not messed up.

How does this compare to your other books?

This book is always going to be special because it was the first one I wrote. It just so happens that I published 10 other books before this one was published. Reading it again to edit it, I fell in love with Chaya and Gimhana all over again. It’s also the book with the most about Sri Lanka in it. A lot of it is set in Colombo in the 1990s and early 2000s, which is a setting I knew quite well.

Who are you hoping connects with this book?

I’m hoping anyone who likes character-driven women’s fiction will like it. Chaya struggles with anxiety and depression, but to the outside world, appears to be functioning well. She keeps telling herself it’s fine and soldiering on until she breaks down. Many of us do this. If one person reads this and realises they can get help with anxiety and depression, then that would be wonderful.

What can we expect next from you?

I would like to write a story about PCOS and fertility issues, featuring Sri Lankan characters again. Obviously, these aren’t issues that are particular to Asian people, but I think we need more stories that are universal, but just happen to have main characters who are Asian. Under my other pen name Rhoda Baxter, I write light hearted rom-coms with British-Asian characters, because there aren’t enough of those around.

What according to you makes for a good novel?

A book that lets you experience the story through a characters eyes and leaves you feeling satisfied, ideally with a smile on your face.

Who is your own writing hero?

Terry Pratchett. His later books are thought-provoking and beautiful. I love that he uses the fantasy world to talk about ideas that affect people in the real world.

What inspires you as a writer?

I used to write to amuse myself. I still do, but now I’m aware of my children too. If I can help people understand other people and become a bit more tolerant, I’ll be making the world a better place for my children.

A Convenient Marriage by Jeevani Charika is out now.

Visit www.jeevanicharika.com

Twitter:@rhodabaxter

More For You

Spain earthquakes

Almería airport sustained damage in its departures lounge

CSmonitor

Spain earthquakes: What we know about the 5.4-magnitude tremor that shook tourist regions

Highlights:

  • A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Almería, southern Spain, at 7.13 am on Monday
  • The tremor was felt in over 50 towns, including tourist destinations like Malaga
  • No injuries have been reported, but building damage occurred in airports and showrooms
  • The quake follows a weekend of floods and severe weather in Spain
  • No UK Foreign Office travel warnings have been issued, but travellers are advised to check local alerts

Southern Spain was rocked by a 5.4-magnitude earthquake on the morning of Monda,y 14 July, with tremors felt across several provinces, including popular tourist destinations.

The earthquake struck at 7.13 am off the coast of Almería, nearly two miles below sea level, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN). Despite its intensity, there have been no reported injuries, although some structural damage has occurred.

Keep ReadingShow less
BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi

The visit by Dr Yadav marks the latest in a series of high-profile delegations to the Mandir since its inauguration

ANI

Madhya Pradesh chief minister visits BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi

On 13 July 2025, Dr Mohan Yadav, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi as part of the Guru Purnima celebrations.

He was received by Swami Brahmaviharidas, Head of the Mandir, who provided an overview of the Mandir’s history, architecture and purpose. The visit took place during a significant spiritual period for the BAPS community, with devotees from around the world gathering to honour their spiritual guide.

Keep ReadingShow less
South Asian mela at Lister Park

inspired by the popular melas of the 1980s and 1990s

RFMP

Bradford welcomes return of South Asian mela at Lister Park with food, fashion and music

Highlights:

  • South Asian celebration returns: The first Bradford Food and Lifestyle Mela will take place at Lister Park on 19–20 July 2025, reviving the city’s historic mela tradition after a 13-year gap.
  •  
  •  Free family event: Open to all, the mela will feature live music, street food, cookery demos, fashion stalls, and a funfair, celebrating Bradford’s cultural diversity.
  •  
  •  Headline performances: Artists including Apache Indian, B21, and Girls Like You will perform alongside community acts and cultural showcases.
  •  
  •  Fashion show with a message: The weekend’s highlight is Threads of Grace: Power of You on 20 July, a ticketed fashion show promoting body positivity and resilience, with proceeds supporting UK charities.
  •  
  •  Part of City of Culture 2025: Organised in partnership with Lala’s Restaurant and local organisations, the mela supports Bradford’s programme as UK City of Culture.

  • Bradford is set to celebrate its cultural heritage with the return of a South Asian mela at Lister Park on 19 and 20 July. The newly launched Bradford Food and Lifestyle Mela will revive the city’s long-standing tradition of melas, combining food, fashion, music and community in a two-day open-air event.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    “Why can’t I just run?”: A south Asian woman’s harrowing harassment story

    Minreet with her mother

    “Why can’t I just run?”: A south Asian woman’s harrowing harassment story

    I was five years old when my parents first signed me up for a mini marathon. They were both keen runners and wanted me to follow in their footsteps. At the time, I hated it. Running felt like punishment — exhausting, uncomfortable, and something I never imagined I’d do by choice.

    But one moment changed everything. I was 12, attending a gymnastics competition, and had gone to the car alone to grab my hula hoop. As I walked back, a group of men started shouting at me. They moved closer. I didn’t wait to hear what they had to say — I ran. Fast. My heart was pounding. It was the first time I felt afraid simply for existing in public as a young girl. I never told anyone. But I remember feeling thankful, strangely, that my parents had taught me how to run.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Charithra Chandran Wimbledon

    Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance

    Instagram/charithra17/Twitter/charithra files

    Charithra Chandran brings ‘Bridgerton’ elegance to Wimbledon in timeless Ralph Lauren look

    Highlights:

    • Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
    • Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
    • Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
    • The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.

    Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.

     Charithra Chandran Wimbledon Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/

    Keep ReadingShow less