Bahrain based Kolkata Girl Returns to launch her poetic anthology

                         MOSAIC VISION BOOK LAUNCH

On July 23, "Mosaic Vision" was launched and discussed at the Oxford bookstore. Meet Bahrain-based poet, journalist and editor Vaijantayee Bhattacharya who has come back to set a mark as a cultural inspiration. Mosaic Vision is her first poetry anthology. It reflects the thoughts and epiphanies of a woman moving through various cities and countries, watching life through a kaleidoscope of varied expressions and emotions.

The Calcutta girl left her sheltered home of twenty four years and and moved to Delhi to seek what the outside world has to offer. She describes this stage in her life as a significant but not an empty time. She went on to ultimately plant her roots at Bahrain, where she currently resides with her family.

It took her a staggering fourteen years to compile the book. The poems, diverse in their subjects, themes and tones form a mosaic pattern, and hence the name. She describes the end product as a conglomerate of her different perceptions of life.

In the press meet, she shared that poetry to her is a cathartic process. Her love for literature comes from both her parents, and it was further enriched by the works of Rabindranath Tagore, William Wordsworth, T.S. Elliot, Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy. As a student of literature, poetry has always been a part of  her life. Even as a child, she kept a diary wherein she penned down her thoughts in the form of poems. 

Before kick-starting her poetry career, she worked as an editor and journalist with over fourteen years of experience in the print and publishing media in both India and Bahrain. 

Author, editor, blogger, mother, and homemaker, Vaijayantee says that life is all about juggling so that one commitment does not hamper another. When asked about her further plans, she reveals that she is already working on a novel. Her journey so far has been an eventful one, and she plans to grow further as both a person and an author. 

When questioned how she intends to handle criticism, she asserts that she writes for herself and her opinion would not change with what the world has to say. She further encourages all budding authors out there to keep writing regardless of anything.

Luckily for Vaijayantee, the reviews so far have been glowing. Arshad Ali, Principal Correspondent of DNA, India calls her writing mesmerizing and adds that "Some of the poems are like pictures painted with words."  Sulogna Mehta of Times of India says — "Vaijayantee presents her poetry on a platter of varied flavours — palpable in complex simplicity, fragrant with nostalgia and emotions, blending beautiful optimism with painful realism." 

The press meet ended soon after, and the panel was joined by emminent personalities such as Dr. Sanjukta Dasgupta (Professor of English, Calcutta University), Mr. Shahenshah Mirza(descendant of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah; Social and Green activist), Ms. Saira Shah Halim, (Educator, Activist and Poet) and Ms. Saheli Mitra (Journalist, Author, Poet and Columnist) to officiate the book launch.

The second part of the book launch gave us some lovely insights on the city itself in the form a video depicting her journey and the soul behind The Mosaic Vision. Hearing each speaker relate to their own experiences and give praise to Vaijayantee Bhattacharya was a glee filled experience.

 The discussion was opened by Shri Jawhar Sircar who gave us some fine words to take on. Dr Sanjukta Dasgupta while praising her she also included how both of them are from the same school and have been part of the same university. Dr. Dasgupta added that it feels good when you are able to take part in bestowing honor to your own kin. Mr. Mirza took the chance to enlighten us with some history about his famous ancestor. 

Throughout it was a wonderful experience for not just poetry lovers but culture lovers from all around, and on behalf of our organization we would like to thank Ms Sufia Khatoon, PR and Media Manager. 

                                                                                                            

Covered by: Ms. Jyotika Trivedi 

                     Mr Aritro Ghosh