On 8th November evening at the library space in ICCR Kolkata, Intercultural Poetry and Performance Library (IPPL) organized a launch event of Mandalas of Time, a poetry book authored by Malashri Lal.
A stellar evening in the presence of the poet herself, poet Ananda Lal along with other stalwarts in the field of literature, dignitaries and distinguised guests gifted an aura of rhyme and rhythm at the heart of the city of joy. Dr Nishi Pulugurtha, the Secretary of IPPL in her welcome speech mapped the journey of IPPL since its inception. She introduced the motto of IPPL.
Jaydeep Sarangi, the Vice President of IPPL introduced Prof. Lal as “a collective identity: Bengali gene, her father was an IAS from Rajasthan Cadre, her mother was raised in Dehradun and she is now rooted in Delhi. She is a perfect cultural map maker in India. Indian woman centric myths are her forte. Her poems express multiple doors of cultural faiths and folklore.” Dr. Sarangi also emphasised on Prof. Lal’s integrity and honesty as a seasoned scholar who has been mentor to many. Her poems are bare faces of intense soul spaces; inside out.
An eclectic panel discussion was organised with the participation literary tycoons like Malashri Lal, Ajanta Paul, Amit Shankar Saha, Gopal Lahiri, Navamalai Neog Chakravarti, Sharmila Ray and very well moderated by Jaydeep Sarangi.
Poetry reading from Mandalas of Time added to the lucid flow of the event with the participation of Amita Roy, Debarati Sen, Jagari Mukherjee, Pallabi Nandy, Sanghita Sanyal, Sarbani Chakravarti and Sufiya Khatoon.
Poems translated and rendered in Hindi by Nabanita Sengupta and in Bengali by Saptaparna Roy and a mellifluous musical performance by Sanghita Sanyal added warmth to the autumn evening.
A housefull strength of 75 in the audience witnessed a mesmerising evening of poetry at its best.
The event was moderated by Madhu Sriwastav, Rituparna Khan, Artitrik Dutta Chowdhury and Monica Louis under the erudite guidance of Nishi Pulugurtha, Secretary of IPPL.