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Tangerine: How to Read the Upanishads Without Giving Up Coffee
About the Book
NAMITA DEVIDAYAL JOURNEYS INTO THE VERY HEART OF HINDUISM TO FIND HER BALANCE AND HER FAITH.
A chance encounter in Rishikesh with a practitioner of a Hindu spiritual tradition turns journalist, musician, free spirit Namita Devidayal on an unexpected journey. It is not one she had expected to embark on, and not one she expects people in her life to fully understand. But walk she does on the path to discovering the ancient texts and universal truths embedded in a religion that she has thus far only nominally belonged to.
It turns out to be just the immersion Namita needs at a time that she’s struggling with the decision to dissolve a long marriage, and finding herself restless and unnerved. She is soon neck-deep in the Upanishads and the gospels of thinkers like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and her teacher’s guru, Dayananda Saraswati. This accidental pilgrim begins to discover the boundless reserves of wisdom that have somehow got drowned out in the cacophony that has consumed Hinduism, leading her both to an understanding of the self and of how to unself herself.
Candid and open-hearted, this is one woman’s journey into the very heart of Hinduism to discover peace within herself in a fast-unravelling and increasingly turbulent world.
About the Author
Namita Devidayal is the author of The Music Room, Aftertaste and The Sixth String of Vilayat Khan. She is a journalist with The Times of India. She lives in Mumbai.
NAMITA DEVIDAYAL JOURNEYS INTO THE VERY HEART OF HINDUISM TO FIND HER BALANCE AND HER FAITH.
A chance encounter in Rishikesh with a practitioner of a Hindu spiritual tradition turns journalist, musician, free spirit Namita Devidayal on an unexpected journey. It is not one she had expected to embark on, and not one she expects people in her life to fully understand. But walk she does on the path to discovering the ancient texts and universal truths embedded in a religion that she has thus far only nominally belonged to.
It turns out to be just the immersion Namita needs at a time that she’s struggling with the decision to dissolve a long marriage, and finding herself restless and unnerved. She is soon neck-deep in the Upanishads and the gospels of thinkers like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and her teacher’s guru, Dayananda Saraswati. This accidental pilgrim begins to discover the boundless reserves of wisdom that have somehow got drowned out in the cacophony that has consumed Hinduism, leading her both to an understanding of the self and of how to unself herself.
Candid and open-hearted, this is one woman’s journey into the very heart of Hinduism to discover peace within herself in a fast-unravelling and increasingly turbulent world.
About the Author
Namita Devidayal is the author of The Music Room, Aftertaste and The Sixth String of Vilayat Khan. She is a journalist with The Times of India. She lives in Mumbai.
- GenresNonfictionPhilosophy
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2025
About the author
Namita Devidayal
6 books37 followersNamita Devidayal is a journalist with The Times of India, where she has written on a range of subjects from a satirical column called 'yummy mummy' to personal finance to culture.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 13, 2026
When my friend Lopa first mentioned this book, the title stayed with me. I’ve been wanting to explore our scriptures for some time, but there are so many books that I pick up one and then get distracted. This felt like a comfortable starting point, so I added it to my reading list.
Soon after, our ZOW book club picked it up for March 26, and with the added excitement of meeting the author, I picked up my copy. After watching 1-2 of Namita’s interviews, I was quite looking forward to it.
The book started well for me. It felt approachable, relatable, warm, and inviting—exactly what the title promises. I liked how Namita brought her own journey, weaving personal experiences with reflections from the Upanishads. There is a certain comfort in her writing that makes complex ideas feel more relatable.
However, as I progressed, the book began to feel like a series of thoughts or reflections coming together rather than a seamless narrative. Almost like patches stitched together. While each piece on its own is meaningful, I did find myself wishing for a stronger flow and a clearer thread connecting the ideas.
That said, I appreciated her intent—to make spiritual thought approachable for novice readers. And in many ways, she succeeds. Interestingly, this “patchwork” feeling became a point of conversation when we met her—and it added another layer to the reading experience.
Overall, for me, this is not a book to rush through. It’s one to dip into, pause, and revisit. Not perfect in structure, but sincere in intent without any preaching. It is a good starting point if one is curious about Indian philosophy, especially if you want to explore it without giving up your everyday life—or your coffee ☕. Sip it slowly.
Namita does provide a list of books for the hungry souls to read further and reflect.
Soon after, our ZOW book club picked it up for March 26, and with the added excitement of meeting the author, I picked up my copy. After watching 1-2 of Namita’s interviews, I was quite looking forward to it.
The book started well for me. It felt approachable, relatable, warm, and inviting—exactly what the title promises. I liked how Namita brought her own journey, weaving personal experiences with reflections from the Upanishads. There is a certain comfort in her writing that makes complex ideas feel more relatable.
However, as I progressed, the book began to feel like a series of thoughts or reflections coming together rather than a seamless narrative. Almost like patches stitched together. While each piece on its own is meaningful, I did find myself wishing for a stronger flow and a clearer thread connecting the ideas.
That said, I appreciated her intent—to make spiritual thought approachable for novice readers. And in many ways, she succeeds. Interestingly, this “patchwork” feeling became a point of conversation when we met her—and it added another layer to the reading experience.
Overall, for me, this is not a book to rush through. It’s one to dip into, pause, and revisit. Not perfect in structure, but sincere in intent without any preaching. It is a good starting point if one is curious about Indian philosophy, especially if you want to explore it without giving up your everyday life—or your coffee ☕. Sip it slowly.
Namita does provide a list of books for the hungry souls to read further and reflect.
February 12, 2026
Starts with Puranas and Vedas but than becomes a boring autobiography without any sense
December 2, 2025
Faced with a failed marriage and dissatisfaction with the turn of life, Namita Devidayal embarks on a search of ‘self’. From education in Ivy League Princeton and office in Mumbai to Ashrams in Haridwar/Rishikesh, a journey she undertakes to find solutions to what plagues her crumbling life. From shower in a Mumbai flat, she proceeds for a dip in Ganga to come up with a way forward from teachings of Hinduism in Ashrams along the banks of holy Ganga. Upanishads fascinate her.
Namita’s story going back and forth now meanders around various subjects related and unrelated, years past and present and loses steam along the way. So does the reader’s interest. Is Tangarine a biography, is it political commentary, is it her thoughts on various subjects, botany (composting), physics,or music or what?
I remember one interview of her in which Namita speaks without a full stop; she wants to say so many things so doesn't matter what the purpose of the interview is, she needs to express herself on all subjects. This book is same.
Political commentary “ But a ruthless version of Hindutva had started becoming the background score in our country, a perennial, growing drumbeat that spasmodically became a deafening techno-rave. The city of Mumbai had always been casually Cosmopolitan and politically abstemious, so this was new and unnerving. Many ius started feeling a sense of unease over anything Hindu. How had such a profoundly sophisticated religion unleashed so much hatred?”
Along the length of the book, reference to Upanishads are sprinkled to claim that “Tangarine” is about “How to Read Upanishads Without Giving Up Coffee “ The blurb says
“NAMITA DEVIDAYAL JOURNEYS INTO THE VERY HEART OF HINDUISM TO FIND HER BALANCE AND HER FAITH.”
Tangarine fails in that ‘Journey’
Namita’s story going back and forth now meanders around various subjects related and unrelated, years past and present and loses steam along the way. So does the reader’s interest. Is Tangarine a biography, is it political commentary, is it her thoughts on various subjects, botany (composting), physics,or music or what?
I remember one interview of her in which Namita speaks without a full stop; she wants to say so many things so doesn't matter what the purpose of the interview is, she needs to express herself on all subjects. This book is same.
Political commentary “ But a ruthless version of Hindutva had started becoming the background score in our country, a perennial, growing drumbeat that spasmodically became a deafening techno-rave. The city of Mumbai had always been casually Cosmopolitan and politically abstemious, so this was new and unnerving. Many ius started feeling a sense of unease over anything Hindu. How had such a profoundly sophisticated religion unleashed so much hatred?”
Along the length of the book, reference to Upanishads are sprinkled to claim that “Tangarine” is about “How to Read Upanishads Without Giving Up Coffee “ The blurb says
“NAMITA DEVIDAYAL JOURNEYS INTO THE VERY HEART OF HINDUISM TO FIND HER BALANCE AND HER FAITH.”
Tangarine fails in that ‘Journey’
September 14, 2026
📙 "Book Review: Tangerine by Namita Devidayal"
Can you explore ancient spiritual traditions without giving up your morning coffee or modern identity? ☕✨
In her captivating memoir, "Tangerine: How to Read the Upanishads Without Giving Up Coffee", journalist and musician Namita Devidayal shares her unexpected passage from worldly skepticism to spiritual clarity through Vedanta.
When personal turmoil and mid-life introspection hit in her 40s, Devidayal found herself on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh. What began as a search for inner stability became a deep immersion in the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras.
Key Takeaways:
🍊 Saffron Reframed: The title play on "tangerine" reassures modern seekers that exploring ancient philosophy doesn't mean abandoning contemporary life or daily comforts.
🕊️ Inclusive Faith: Her personal shrine—a true "United Nations of benevolence"—holds Shiva, Durga, Christ, Zarathustra, and Guru Nanak alongside her musical icon, Alladiya Khan.
🧠 Intellect Meets Philosophy: Raised with an Ivy League, rational mindset, she uncovers how underlying metaphysical truths reveal the unity of all beings without conflicting with modern reason.
🌊 Deep Stillness: Moving past binary thinking, Devidayal describes her evolution as "moulting into surrender"—a shift toward ego relaxation, interconnectedness, and quiet inner presence (theraav).
Verdict:Candid, open-hearted, and deeply nuanced, "Tangerine" bridges modern angst with timeless wisdom. A thoughtful read for anyone searching for peace and interiority in a chaotic world 🕊️📚
Have you read any books that redefined how you view spirituality? Let me know below! 👇
#Tangerine #NamitaDevidayal #BookReview #Bookstagram #SpiritualJourney
March 13, 2026
A nice breezy read about Namita's Discovery of the Upanishads and how the philosophy of non Dualism helped her make better sense of her life and the world around her. Part biographical part Philosophical Inquiry. This is an interesting book to pick up if you ever find yourself traveling the foothills of the Himalayas on your own spiritual journey.
August 31, 2026
Maybe I am not yet there on my spiritual journey but this book didn't stir me enough. Contrary to the title it does not have as much "coffee" as there is spirituality talk. Was not very relatable for me.
April 7, 2026
I truly hope many more Indians read this book. It is an act of resistance.
June 19, 2026
i'm probably biased but this was wonderful and a great beginner's look at hindu philosophy and culture. already planning a reread!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews