OPA
How long have you been writing Poetry? We
would like to know the early stories about your growing up as a poet or writer
in general. Who are your favorite Poets? What are some of your favorite genres
to read and to write? Had they inspired you a lot, do you believe in
inspiration as a guiding force behind writings at all?
TANNI
BOSE: The first brainwave to write poetry was
kindled in me in the early spring in 2011, when I noticed a small puppy;
sleeping comfortably on the work station of my colleague in the resource room.
It was indeed a marvelous sight to be acknowledged. My unconscious mind delivered a small poem on
this very sight even without my consciousness. That has given me the idea that
I have a mission to contribute something to the cause of the society in which I
live through this media. Hence I have started it as a serious business.
Though I was born and brought up in a
conservative Indian family, my parents held a very open approach about the
status of girls in the society and the importance of education. Two daughters
in the family with no sons to inherit the family lineage was not at all an
issue for my father, and he whole heartedly supported me in all my endeavours
right from my kindergarten days. So I find my parents as my first and early
inspiration to begin a journey of life the way I wanted to groom it. All
through my school and college days I was versatile in extra-curricular and
leadership activities. The strong support of my father has given me the strong
foundation for the talents that groomed in me all these years.
If I speak about the growth of a poet in
me; I am deeply indebted to my husband who constantly inspired me to achieve
the impossible. He is my manager in my entire writing career. I too have a few
intimate friends who really stood firm with me all these years as a literary
critic and ardent support in this endeavour. The working environment in the
institute where I worked those years was highly inspiring to begin a writing
career. As an educationist; I found the students most inspiring to find
suitable plots for many of my poems. The pristine environment of the Himalayan
Kingdom Bhutan has indeed stirred me a lot.
My all time favourite poet is William
Wordsworth; his poems are strong, marvelous and spectacular. His poems are
lively and are immortal. As far as reading is concerned, I am very choosy about
the books I read; however I read all sort of books. Novels, poems, travelogue,
short stories, autobiographies; a few to name. The books on great personalities
like Swami Vivekananda has really inspired me a lot. Inspiration is a spur for
me but not the sole guiding force. However, I do believe in the inspiration
that I gain from different sources.
OPA
What has been the toughest criticism given
to you as a writer? What was the biggest compliment? Did that change how or
what you write? What has been the
strangest thing that a reader has asked you?
TANNI
BOSE: So far in my writing career I haven’t come
across such severe negative criticism. However, I do have received a lot or
positive feedbacks from many corners. One of the areas that I have received a
lot of feedback was on the use of punctuation marks. I have also received a lot
of support in refining the works in the initial years to improve more from the
lenses of reader’s perspective from these feedbacks.
The dimension of the complements were from
a number of quarters. I have cherished some of them very dearly. The
complements that I received from Dr.
Jamil Qualander from Pakistan who has already adopted me as his daughter
is a great reward for me. I was really humbled when a Spanish magazine “Azhare”
translated one of my poems into Spanish and published in one of their issues. These
are truly inspiring and motivating. As I have mentioned earlier, an average
Indian woman has to play multiple role to survive in their conservative
society. So fighting all odds when I was able to achieve these complements from
some of the eminent personalities of the world, I was really excited.
I am not sure if my writing style has
changed or not. That has to be assessed through the viewpoint of the readers.
Nevertheless, I have always tried my level best to live up to the expectation
of my readers. One of my aspirations is to complete a novel by the end of this
year.
I was baffled when a reader asked me about
my intense passion to write more poems on death. I am an independent soul and
am not afraid of death. It is true that most people are scared of death. My
only aspiration is to see my son grow old enough to sustain himself. It is true
that I like to write more on death because only death is permanent.
OPA
What is your favorite poem you have ever
written? Compared to when you first started writing, have you notice any big
changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?
TANNI
BOSE:
Reliance
What a funny word!
Feels cavernous but cramped,
Why? I reflect,
The answer I get
When I observe a puppy,
Answering my disbelief
Resting on a cozy transitory bed
“Learn from me”, it says
Learn that reliance pays.
From my first book. I love this poem as my first child and it has
made me a writer, rather a poetess. It has always told me to “Learn from me”
since “Reliance pays”. I trusted in my ability to write since then. Every time
I reflect on my writings, I recall that small puppy. That is why we always
cherish our childhood when we were free, fearless, brave, and plucky. As
grownups we have many limitations; created by family, society, country,
community etc.
As per my readers and critics, my poems
have improved and matured over the years, but I can’t specify any change in my
writing style. I started writing as a casual time pass; but it turned out to be
my passion very soon. I don’t plan to write a poem but it normally happens to
come out automatically. Strong emotions are more suitable plots for writing
anything. I have written many poems on a variety of social issues as well.
OPA
What has been your favorite part of being a
poet or and author? What has been your least favorite?
TANNI
BOSE: Everybody likes to be in the limelight; be
it in writing, politics, career or family life. Writing has given me
opportunity to attend many international literary festivals. This has provided
me ample opportunity to meet and interact with very eminent personalities of
the world. It has also provided me a number of friends from all over the world.
I can never forget the hospitality of the Maharaja
and Maharani of Jaipur Palace in my
life.
I hate flattery and avoid people who praise
me meaninglessly. I am a person who is down to earth and avoid the vanity that
surrounds celebrities. A warm hug or a genuine appreciation is most welcome for
me. I hate people making hollow promises that cannot be fulfilled. India is a
rich country where everyone should get equal opportunities. I am totally
against violence against women and religious discrimination.
OPA
Did you get to quit your day job and become
a writer and/or author, or do you still have a day job and writing is something
you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?
TANNI
BOSE: Teaching is my first passion and I love my
students. I became a teacher by choice and enjoy it from the core of my heart.
So I have never considered quitting my job to pursue a writing career. I know
it very well that the two are full time occupations; as of now I have no plans
to quit my career to become a full time writer. I have a full time job as an
educationist at an International School. I started writing for fun but at the
moment it is a serious passion for me. I would like to concentrate more on my
writing career if situation permits me; however, I do have family commitments.
OPA
Besides writing and reading, what is your
most favorite thing to do? What genre are you most looking forward to explore
during your writing career? Why?
TANNI
BOSE: I love listening to good music. Interior
decoration is another area that I love to do during my free time. I have a very
strong obsession for pet dogs. During my school and college days I was a good
athlete and I could even represent my state Odizha in the Nationals in 1992, in
Athletic Meet. I have a natural instinct for counseling children, and am
confident that if opportunity comes; I would like to join politics. I feel
India needs a lot of upright personalities for shouldering the leadership role
in politics; particularly the participation of women in politics is too meager.
I feel proud to see that many women have
come forward in recent years to take up leading roles in politics in India and
they are doing very well. I really salute them.
As of now, I have concentrated writing
poetry; but my ambition is to write novels. At present I am working on a novel
and is expected to complete it as soon as possible. I feel that writing poetry
is the highest form of literature, which is read by a few. Novels are mass
media for writers. Through novels a writer can reach the masses and it also
gives platform for participating more actively in the literary circle.
OPA: Do you think literature or poetry is
essential in our life? If so why? How does it relate to the general history of
mankind?
TANNI
BOSE: Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of
powerful feelings. If feelings are not expressed openly, humanity will become
doomed and de-motivated. History is written through all forms of literature
works. Hence poetry as a form of literature has a major role to play in every
society. Life becomes meaningless without a rhythm. Poems have become immortal
mainly because of its aesthetic beauty and rhythm. If literature or poetry is
removed from life we will become mere skeletons. Literature is the flesh and
soft skin that gives beauty to human life.
History in general was written by winners.
So it was written as per the whims and fancies of them. However, human history
through literature writings are straight and plain; it reveals more truths and
facts. That is why it is essential to have more poems and novels on
contemporary issues. These works will become history in the future. I am
confident that our writers are bold, upright and straight forward to focus
their pen on any issues that occur in our society.
OPA Our readers would like to know your own personal experience regarding
the importance of literature and poetry in your life.
TANNI
BOSE: From time immemorial, people were curious
to know all about the world and the happenings in the world. Languages must
have developed to fulfill this desire. Earlier it was vocal interaction between
people; however, in course of time written scripts started to develop in
different parts of the world. Hence, literature is very important for
communication. Without literature, the world would have been doomed as an
isolated location. Personally I feel that literature has in fact given rise to
all the civilizations of the world, be it ancient or the modern ones.
Language is a form of mobility; literature
is the vehicle for language to travel. If we analyze the history of the world,
we will come across a number of ballads which has handed down the valiant
stories of the heroes to the present day people in the form of poetry. Poetry
is a strong medium in literature which can express ideas much more powerful
than other forms of writing.
I have focused my attention to a number of
social issues through poetry, apart from praising the nature and all that is
available in the nature. Hence, for me poetry is the heart of literature.
OPA Do you think people in general bother
about literature in general? Do you
think this consumerist world is turning the average man away from serious
literature?
TANNI
BOSE: As a matter of fact, everyone cries about
the influence of visual media and modern gadgets as a cause of deteriorating
standard of language and literature. But in my opinion, the modern forms of
media have in fact accelerated the pace of development in literature. I
strongly believe that people are very concerned about literature these days.
The number of participants that attend the literary festivals, the quality of
presentations they make and the enthusiasm at which they organize these
festivals all underline the fact that people really bother about literature.
Consumerism has overtaken the society as a
windfall. But common man is still aware about the importance of literature and
all aspects related to literature. Now it has become easier to communicate
through modern media of communication. Therefore, any development that takes
place in the word of literature is easily available to all the general public
instantly. I also believe that consumerism has given opportunity for many
budding writers to explore the vast possibilities of the literature by
publishing their works online.
Average man is always concerned about the
day-to-day happenings of the world in general and other areas in particular.
With modern education penetrating every nook and corner of the world, serious
literature has a better scope than in the past.
OPA If humanity tries to understand tradition
and modernism; do you think literature can play a pivotal role in obtaining
understanding? If so, how? Again, how
can an individual writer relate himself or herself with the tradition and
modernism?
TANNI
BOSE: Tradition is a culture inherited; whereas
modernism is instilled in the system by itself. Hence, tradition and modernism
are not two water tight compartments; rather they are the two sides of the same
coin. We cannot have a coin with a single face. Modernism is important in the
fast developing world. It is the age of digitalization and cash less society.
So I strongly believe that literature
should play a pivotal role in enhancing strong bond between tradition and
modernism. While doing so the only caution required is to control fanatics.
Bhutan as an independent sovereign kingdom has shown to the world a different
developmental philosophy – the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. (GNH) In
that country they have harmoniously tailor made the modern concepts of life
without losing the rich cultural traditions of the country.
In my writings, I have often tried to bring
harmony among the communities and to make links with tradition and modernism.
Young generation; be it in the past or in the modern age are molded through
right education. What we have lost could have happened because of the selfish
motives of a handful of individuals. However, the general beliefs and faiths
haven’t changed much even with the influx of all the modern gadgets.
As an individual, we can contribute
immensely to change the society. What we need is a strong will power. Transition
has happened at all times in the history. People are always adaptable. It all
depends on how we as writers present the ideas to the readers. In my opinion, I
can connect tradition with modernism through writing medium.
OPA Do you think society is a factor in
shaping you as a poet, or your poetry altogether?
TANNI
BOSE: We are social animals. All our words and
deeds are shaped by the society. Nobody is a born criminal. It is the
surroundings and the situation that has created many drunkards and addicts in
the world.
I strongly believe that it was the society
that I lived in; kindled the light in me to write. I got a lot of positive
energy and progressive thoughts from the friends I interacted with and the
society I lived in. many of my poems reflect a strong influence of my society.
As a matter of fact; if I am given another
chance to be reborn on this earth, I would still prefer my present parents,
family, friends and the society in which I lived. Our lives are closely linked
to many other souls whom we come in contact with.
OPA We would like to know about any influences that has inspired your
poetry and writings.
TANNI
BOSE: The pristine environment, the lovely
people, the good natured pet animals that I encountered and the warm friendship
of my close friends were all factors that have inspired me to begin a career in
writing. I am not ignoring the fact that poetry was in me; but I believe that
it got kindled mainly because of the influences of the above mentioned
situation and people.
Nature is a miracle in itself. It has a lot
of treasure still to be explored. Poetry is a vast ocean which has no
boundaries. I feel I as an infant who is touching a few drops of it from the shore.
Sometime earlier I have mentioned about
death as a favourite topic for my writing because I have experienced the real
pain and tenderness of death several times. It has really inspired me to write
about it. Another all time favourite topic is love. Without a compassionate
heart and a passionate temperament, I don’t think I would have written so many
poems.
OPA We would also like to know; how do you
relate the present literary trends with the literary heritage of your
country?
TANNI
BOSE: India is an ancient country which was the
cradle of many early civilizations. The Sages and Hermits who lived in this
country had immensely contributed to the Indian literature in the form of
mythology, anthropology, medicine, ballads, and so on. The famous epics “Ramanaya”
and “Mahabharata” written my Sage Valmiki are very good examples of
the literary heritage of India. Veda Vyasa, Kalidasa, are all famous in their
own ways to contribute to the world of literature in their times. India had
numerous kings in the past who were the patrons of art and literature.
Therefore, we had a very easy transition
from ancient literature to modern literature without losing any link.
OPA Do you believe that all writers are the
product of their nationality? Is it an incentive or an obstacle in becoming an
international writer?
TANNI
BOSE: Literature has no nationality. It is
omnipresent. What influence the writers are the immediate surroundings and the
basic structure of the society. Writers are born in every society, and in any
nationality. Hence they are not mere product of any nationality. As an Indian I
have never felt any hindrance to become an international writer. India has
wholeheartedly embraced many international languages; and English is one among
them.
OPA What 7 words would you use to describe yourself?
TANNI
BOSE: Compassionate, outgoing, fearless,
extrovert, bold, enthusiastic and kindhearted.
OPA Is there
anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this
interview?
YOUR
NAME: Basic problems in the society are not
inborn. It is created by a few unscrupulous opportunists for their vested
interest. Our society needs to come out of the clutches of these opportunists
to refine themselves. People in India are talented, and India is a rich country
with abundant resources. It is the prime responsibility of every citizens of a
country to contribute positively for the intellectual development of the
masses. Only an educated community can refine the society. I would like to urge
all the citizens of the world to fight the scrooge of illiteracy with all their
might. I would like to encourage all our youths to hold their heads high all
the times. We need to save our younger generation from the clutches of
consumerism and bring more spiritually in them.
And lastly I would like to urge all men to
respect ant protect the women. They are the mothers, sisters and daughters of
the society. Crime against the women is a crime against humanity.
Mrs. TANNI
BOSE works as an educator in Aravali International School, Faridabad
now. She was an English Teacher at Tendruk Higher Secondary School of the Royal
Government of Bhutan hails from Kolkata, West Bengal. Writing was always a passion for Mrs. Tanni. However, 2008 became a
defining year in her life since she could publish a few of her works in the
school magazine and made a self-discovery that she was indeed in romance with
literature. It formally bloomed in 2012 when her first anthology “Dawn and
Dusk” was published. Her readers, including critics confessed that a new breeze
in poetry writing is here to blow to soothe and to ruffle too, of course. Her
passion for reading and writing assured her a berth in the Writers Association
of Bhutan and the Edu Talk where she thinks aloud to make the readers ponder,
delight and at times wrinkle their brows. Her writing in facebook and her blog
“A Grain of Faith” are being followed by many. Her articles in “Student Digest
and Norzam Speaks” both publications in Bhutan are well taken by readers at large.
She also contributes regularly in the international journal by Ciberwitnet.com
“Taj Mahal Review” She has represented Bhutan as an official delegate in the
SAARC Literary festivals in Thimphu, Bhutan in 2013. She was a delegate in the
FOSWAL Literary Festivals at Agra and Jaipur in 2015 At Delhi in 2016 February ,and Jaipur in October 2016 as well. “Floating Stones” is her second work
of poems, ringing the inescapable paradox of existential pulls and pushes. The
poetess here is swayed by multiple senses and sensibilities, reflected in these
poems. Her third Book “The Molested Clay” is published by Authors Press. Her
upcoming novel and poetry book is ready to publish.Writing apart, Mrs. Bose
loves reading, music and her students. Love given reciprocates. After all –
books support her; music heals her aches and her students adore her. Life then
becomes poetry to her.
The editorial staff of this
project: Stacia Lynn Reynolds and Deborah Brooks Langford; sincerely thank you
for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.
