Bashabi Fraser

Book Launch

2009-06-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

The epic poem, From the Ganga to the Tay is to be launched on Friday, 12 June at Roxy Art House, 2 Roxburgh Street Edinburgh, EH8 from 6.30 -8.30 p.m. as part of the Napier University Showcase event. In the poem, the two great rivers, the Ganges and the Tay, converse about a shared history. The book's India launch happened as part of the Scotland-Kolkata Connection at the Kolkata Book Fair when Scotland was the Theme Country, earlier this year. The Napier Showcase launch is the book's Scottish debut!

From the Ganga to the Tay meanders across the page mirroring the flow of a river, accompanied by evocative images by Scottish artist Kenny Munro and the author. This epic poem explores the ties between India and Scotland and thecontemporary relevance of the Ganges and the Tay, rivers that are natural symbols of continuity and peace.

From the Ganga to the Tay is published by Luath Press, 543/2 Castlehill, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, Scotland www.luath.co.uk.

2009-06-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

Can shadow lines on the earth’s surface divide language and literature, rituals and customs, rivers…and memories?

This Border

There was a time when you and I
Chased the same butterfly
Climbed the same stolid trees
With the fearless expertise
That children take for granted
Before their faith is daunted

Do you remember how we balanced a wheel
Down dusty paths with childish zeal
Do you remember the ripples that shivered
As we ducked and dived in our river
Do you remember what we shared
Of love and meals, and all we dared
Together – without fears
Because we were one
In all those years
Before we knew that butterflies
Were free to share our separate skies
That they could cross with graceful ease
To alight on stationary trees
On either side of this strange line
That separates yours from mine
For whose existence we rely
Entirely on our inward eye
This border by whose callous side
Our inert wheel lies stultified
This border that cuts like a knife
Through the waters of our life
Slicing fluid rivers with
The absurdity of a new myth
That denies centuries
Of friendships and families
This border that now decrees
One shared past with two histories
This border that now decides
The sky between us as two skies
This border born of blood spilt free
Makes you my friend, my enemy.

One of My Poems: Come Play With Me … it’s HOLI!

2007-04-02T04:50:00.002-07:00

Come Play With Me … it’s HOLI!

Come play with me
it’s Holi!

Tell me you won’t play
and I’ll pelt you anyway
with colours that will stay
with you all day - for today
is Holi!

You are the girl that didn’t care
to throw a glance at me.
I am the boy that didn’t dare
to ask you dance with me.

Today I’m out with my gang
drenched with colour, drunk with bhang
I am your Krishna come to play
your friends - my Gopis who will spray
me with abir , for today
is Holi!

And you my Radha cannot stay inside.
The spring sky calls, come play outside
with coloured water - do not hide -
for today …
is Holi!

Upset the coloured powder mounds
in clouds of purple, pink and green,
let your chunni swirl around,
join your bangled hands with mine.

It’s true I do not have a flute
or peacock feathers on my head;
I only know the Bombay hits
and have a cricket cap instead,
which I will throw at your feet
and dance the bhangra to the beat
as we sway our hips today
to the dholki’s frenzied beat ….

Rhythmic shoulders, clapping hands,
faces streaked, coloured strands,
saris sprayed, kurtas stained
friends doused, strangers drained
from pistons, buckets, balconies,
street corners, terraces and trees -
till the wall you try to build
crumbles down against my will

I’ll touch your cheeks and arms
with colour which disarms
you for one day
of abandon -
so let us play
as Radha-Krishna - for today
is Holi!