Odisha

Eminent Odia Poet Ratnamala Swain’s Collection Of Poems ‘Claiming The Sky’ Released

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: “Claiming the Sky”, a maiden collection of poems by Odisha’s acclaimed poet Ratnamala Swain, was released in presence of eminent litterateurs in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The poems were written originally in Odia and translated into English by Purabi Das and Durga Prasad Panda. Speaking on the occasion, Ratnamala described her poems as the song of her soul – a spontaneous outpouring of creativity – and how these poems were taken shape from her experience as an acclaimed architect.

CP Surendran, former editor of Times of India, Mumbai and author of several critically acclaimed books, described poetry as a stillness – a moment’s clarity in the chaos of life. Like every true poet, Ratnamala has been able to understand the stillness and find a way out of the fog, he added.

Gaurahari Das, Sahitya Akademi award winning writer, quoted the lines from Ratnamala’s poetry to illustrate her sensitivity to various critical situations in life which triggered her creativity. Entrepreneur Jagadish Prasad Naik, who happens to be Ratnamala’s co-traveller in the professional life of 20 years, wondered how she found time to her creative urge in spite of professional busy schedule.

Manu Dash, a poet and publisher of Dhauli Books, spoke about the unique and universal nature of Ratnamala’s craft which she attributed to her grounding in architecture. Litterateurs Soubhagya Kumar Mishra and Bibhu Padhi also spoke.

The slim volume of 40 poems in the anthology covers broad subjects varying from love to life, relationships, death to rebirth that are characterised by Ratnamala’s powerful style and vivid imagery.

Translator Purabi Das said she was inspired by Ratnamala’s fine sensibility, deep philosophical and mature insights and simple yet powerful poetry which she described as a reflection of the poet’s persona.

Durga Prasad Panda described the process of translation is a beautiful failure because he felt that a translator
always had to wrestle with conveying the experience of the poet in a different medium.

Several poems from the collection were recited on the occasion by Tanaya Patnaik, Anwesha Panda, Sanhati Pani and Biyot Projna Tripathy. The event was anchored by Panchami Manoo Ukil, well-known educationist, translator and conservationist.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IPL Auction: Shreyas Iyer Becomes Most Expensive Player Ever At Rs 26.75 Crore

Mumbai: Shreyas Iyer may be out of the Indian team currently. But the dashing right-handed…

November 24, 2024

What Did PM Narendra Modi Take From Odisha As Gift During 3-Nation Visit?

Bhubaneswar: A rare and exquisitely crafted Filigree boat made of pure silver from Odisha were…

November 24, 2024

PM Narendra Modi Tweets His Excitement Over Attending ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ Today

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ programme on…

November 24, 2024

SEBI In Dock As Bribery Case Involving Gautam Adani, His Officials Reaches Supreme Court

New Delhi: A fresh application was filed before the Supreme Court on Sunday urging the…

November 24, 2024

[Watch] Odisha CM Disburses Subhadra Assistance To Over 20 Lakh Beneficiaries In 3rd Phase

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi disbursed the first instalment of Rs 5,000 under Subhadra Yojana…

November 24, 2024

Low Pressure Over Bay Of Bengal Becomes Well Marked; Will It Intensify Into Cyclone?

Bhubaneswar: The low-pressure over east Equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal…

November 24, 2024

Here’s Why Rishabh Pant Gifted Scooters To Two Factory Workers

New Delhi: Cricket fans were left gasping for breath in December 2022 when Indian wicketkeeper-batter…

November 24, 2024

ASI To Submit Schedule For Ratna Bhandar Repair Work Today: Odisha Minister

Puri: Repair work of Shree Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar in pilgrim town of Puri will…

November 24, 2024