An Evening to Remember

Yesterday for the first time I recited my poem in open public, thanks to Srijan. Let me first give a little background about Srijan. Srijan - which means 'creativity' in hindi - is a poetry organisation founded by Basant Rungta and some of his like-minded friends. Srijan began it's journey with a vocal recital by Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar on October 31, 2000, on the terrace of a building at Lansdowne Road. According to Basant Jee, which is how we Srijanites like to address him as, is "for artists, of artists and by artists" where small groups of artists, without any bias for any art form or expression, could meet to communicate and for companionship and inspiration.

I was invited to Srijan by Inam Hussain Mullick, who is a renowned poet and a very good friend of mine. I joined Srijan on 25th February, 2008 on the occasion of their numerous meets at their new address at "Rooftop". It was an wonderful evening. One of the most beautiful thing about Srijan is that everybody is welcome there irrespective of the fact whether they are new in the field of literature or they are veterans like Joy Goswami or Srijato Da. In that way I must say that Basant Jee's dream had come true of creating an unbiased organisation.

On 3rd of August, 2008, that is yesterday, Srijan had organised an evening called "An open House for Poets" where all Srijanites were invited to read out a selection from their poetry. It was anchored by Rimi B. Chatterjee and Srijato Da. Their were numerous Srijanites present many of whom had come a long way just to participate last evening. Many of whom were present not to read out their poem but just to listen to others read out their thoughts. I went their along with a friend of mine who also happens to be an Alumni of JUDE. I read out my poem The Child of The Moon and paid my respect to R by dedicating my poem to her which she truely deserves. It was a mesmerizing experience in itself, reading out my poem front of eminent personalities like Basant Jee, Rimi Di, Srijato and countless others.

It was a very wonderful evening which we all enjoyed thoroughly, thanks to Srijan and Basant Jee, Rimi Di, Srijato Da and everyone present there.

[Picture courtesy Mr. Basant Rungta : Financial Express]