Santha Rama Rau: A Footnote to History?

This article analyzes Santha Rama Rau’s 1959 travelogue, My Russian Journey, and places it in the context of Soviet-American relations early decades Cold War. Rau, an eminent Indian American novelist, was commissioned by literary travel magazine, Holiday, to write articles on Soviet Union late 1950s. She recruited for her ability, but personal with important personalities United States India gave unusual degree access members cultural elite. leisurely travels through different parts resulted a new kind account everyday life Union. I analyze three major themes Journey: problem censorship, descriptions elite lifestyles Union, comparison national identity. argue that publication Journey marked milestone mediated India.