Her mother, Norah Knoble was of Swiss origin, and her Indian father, Habans Lal Gulati came to London in 1919 to study medicine.
Contemporary India is the location of House of the Sun that, in 1990, was adapted for the stage in London where it had a successful run at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
The book fictionally examines an era that includes the Second World War and the subsequent Japanese occupation of Singapore, and the rise of post-war nationalism in Malaya.
The novel was also on Oprah Winfrey's recommended reading list for November 2011, and longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin literary award 2012.
The musical centres on the early life of Lee Kuan Yew, his struggles, and enduring relationship with his wife.