Shuvashree Chowdhury's Blog, page 21

A Sublime Dance

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Soft sunrise, as if stage spotlights

shining through a ballet of cotton clouds,

swathed waves of hills as if props

on a stage – with the blue backdrop of sky:

even as the silver lined Kanchenjunga

like a blonde sensuous young woman –

wearing a diamond necklace;

danced in the tender chilly breeze,

with my sight caught in the light

of her earrings and eternity bangles –

infusing in me – her forest fragrance.

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Protected: Sunrise on the Valley: Kalimpong.

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Protected: Sunrise on the Valley: Kalimpong Park Hotel

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Protected: My love affair with Teesta

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Protected: A Heartful of Sunshine: in Darjeeling

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Protected: A Drive in the Hill rains.

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Finding our Happy Space: A Rainbow.

“Where does the rainbow end / in your soul or on the horizon?” — Pablo Neruda.

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Each one of us,

has within us – a place,

even if it seems

barely residual at times,

and we have to look for it

deep inside our soul –

a spot where there’s joy.

 

If we find that source of light,

then dwell on it – it will burn

the darkness of pain

we’ve nurtured,

and allowed to flourish –

by disseminating it to those

we encounter or deal with.

 

The rainbow of joy we paint,

with egoless humility –

will not only light up our lives,

but of those who step

into our Happy Space:

They will return,

seeking that sunshine

even in rainy days,

to thus fill our life

with renewed love –

taking away loneliness if any. 

 

It is our positive thinking,

and actions – that brings

the lamp of happiness

into our hearts  – so we may

hold up its glow to eradicate

the ever increasing hate,

and darkness of intolerance; 

to light up the world.

 

“Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with gold at both  ends.” —Author-Poet Aberjhani. 

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‘A Dance Recital’: Sunrise in Varanasi

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After an early shower this morning,

I sped out to the streets of Benaras:

it was past six-thirty in late February,

and I’d miss the most charming part.

 

It was a hurried walk from my hotel

to the famed Dashashwamedh Ghat;

past the Vishwanath temples campus –

already at its task of setting up stalls.

 

Florists had barely set up the displays

or tea stalls their kettles just warmed –

but a chain of beggars by now flanked

this stretch – both hands outstretched.

 

The Ghat by now was set up for its act,

glow of dawn raising its azure curtain:

Naga sadhus on stage – set to perform

for Ganges – past a line of saffron flags.

 

Throngs of men, women, waded in her –

bathing in obeisance to rising Sun God:

sandal anointed pundits, after holy dips –

awaited under canopies to start rituals.

 

Barbers performing on stage this long,

first to start the nimble-fingered dance –

of eyes, hand movements as if Kathak:

audiences rivetted in facial expression.

 

Soul aloof, I stood at the amphitheatre,

viewing a dance-drama in curious awe:

swathed in slow(vilambit) laya and taal –

led inward to the dancefloor at my core.

 

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At the Carnival -The Ganga Arati in Varanasi: My ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ thoughts.

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I stood in awe of the exquisitely elegant Ganges,

on stone steps leading to Dashashwamedh Ghat:

she flowed unperturbed by immense veneration,

with orchestrated sights, sounds ushering sunset.

.

Her soft waves caught the glow of flickering lights

dotting Varanasi’s ghats – yet she gently cascaded,

detached to the incense, sandalwood, and flowers –

with a synchronised flailing of layered brass lamps.

 

Throngs gathered by the ramp to watch the show,

that every evening – placed Ganga on the Catwalk:

As propelling her delicate steps bhajans were sung,

with dumroos keeping rhythm – as tabla to her taal.

 

Broad-chested men – strikingly agile super models

in Akhara-fit bodies, chiseled with yogic persistence –

deftly flailing the brass aratis they held, with devotion

to Ganga’s movements – as of a show stopper model.

 

Viewers from all over the world jostled in the crowd,

as midstream – boats full of people watched up-close:

the intricacies of Ganga’s form showcased in devotion –

as if from the green room or back stage of a carnival.

 

With her poise, Ganga was an epitome of femininity,

not losing her reserved elegance even in heroic glory:

As she generously gives of herself, in loving empathy –

even to those who pollute but worship her as divinity.

 

Every woman can flow with compassionate concern,

after cleansing her soul of the refuses of her past life –

as she also has the power to withstand being defiled,

by nurturing her soul in service to God and mankind.

 

Wishing you all a very Happy Akshaya Tritiya with these thoughts: It is an auspicious day, and an Indian festival – that is the harbinger of prosperity, hope, joy and success .     

‘Across Borders’: Media Reviews and Coverage of my debut novel, ‘Across Borders’

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Across Borders was first published in November, 2013.  The republished version along with my 3 new books (cover photos below) – a novel, a collection of short stories and poems, are below.

Sharing all the media reviews and reports for ‘Across Borders’ from over the last few years…

The Telegraph review of Across Borders:                                        http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130913/jsp/t2/story_17343876.jsp#.UljewuIUYt9

The Hindu coverage of the Delhi Launch:                                        http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/between-the-lines/article5508192.ece

The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine author interview: http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/1927216?fb_action_ids=10152083698974974&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/185382/The-New-Sunday-Express-Magazine/17112013#page/11/2

On Across Borders – A letter from Dr P.V Krishnamoorthy, the first Director General of Doordarshan:                                                                         https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=548085161926172&id=422992421102114

On Across Borders – compliments from Pranay Gupte (Author; biographer; historian; columnist): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152171124776418&set=a.10150110270566418.314726.528191417&type=1&theater

The Times of India coverage of the Calcutta launch of Across Borders on the 7th of October, 2013:                                                                           http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMy8xMC8wOCNQYzAwNTE0

The Telegraph (3rd Nov, 13) – the Calcutta launch of Across Borders covered in the article – Border Ties:                                                                           http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131103/jsp/calcutta/story_17523613.jsp#.UnXDJrQUYt-

In the north east issue of the Telegraph:                                 http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131108/jsp/northeast/story_17543250.jsp#.UnzsKbT872p

The New Indian Express coverage of the Chennai launch of Across Borders: http://m.newindianexpress.com/chennai/69359

The Hindu covers the Chennai Launch of Across Borders:                     http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/events/borders-and-beyond/article5358237.ece

The Times of India, Page 3, covers the Chennai launch of Across Bordersas ‘An Evening To Remember’ in the links below:                                 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.549170335150988.1073741835.422992421102114&type=1

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQ0gvMjAxMy8xMS8yMCNBcjAyMzAx

The Assam Tribune Review:                                                                 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=576699309064757&set=pcb.576700002398021&type=1&theater

Pictures of the Calcutta launch at Oxford on 7th October, 2013: 2013:   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527481180653237.1073741830.422992421102114&type=1&l=14d538ddf6

Pictures of the Chennai Launch of Across Borders on the 14th of Nov, 2013: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.546464922088196.1073741834.422992421102114&type=1&l=58590d9b1d

Pictures of the Delhi Launch of Across Borders on 19th Dec, 2013: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.564831846918170.1073741836.422992421102114&type=1&l=29abb8da9a

 

The Calcutta Launch of Across Borders – on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W_2ubxVAwY – video 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTQatqdgf8k – video 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU13BecaYRA – video 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJlb1E0peWI – video 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4EWpRKkyZA – video 5

The Face Book Page Link:                                                                           https://www.facebook.com/pages/Across-Borders/422992421102114

 

Excerpts from Across Borders, in the link below:

https://shuvashreeghosh.wordpress.com/2014/02/01/excerpts-from-across-borders-in-the-words-of-the-protagonist-maya/

 

The New Books, are below: 

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