Kolkata: The Hindi literary world witnessed the arrival of a new poetic voice with the launch of poet Anila Rakhecha’s debut poetry collection, Kajal Ki Med, at Nandan-3 Auditorium, Kolkata. The event was organised by Neelamber, a Kolkata-based literary and cultural organisation, and the book has been published by Vaani Prakashan.
The programme opened with a welcome address by writer and Neelamber patron Mrityunjay Kumar Singh, who lauded the sensitivity and thoughtfulness of Rakhecha’s poems.
Presiding over the launch, Sahitya Akademi Award-winning poet Arun Kamal called a first book a turning point in a poet’s life. He said Rakhecha’s poetry blends experiences of love, family, and society with contemporary concerns, introducing “a distinctive new poetic voice.”
The evening featured reflections from several eminent poets and critics:
- Priyankar Paliwal highlighted the fine emotional detailing amid changing literary perspectives.
- Arun Hota pointed to the layered shades of love and hope in the collection.
- Yatish Kumar admired the vivid imagery drawn from nature and daily life.
- Vinay Mishra emphasized the resilience and determination reflected in portrayals of women’s lives.
Speaking about her journey, Anila Rakhecha said the book embodies her dreams and memories, accumulated over years of writing. “Kajal Ki Med is not just a title but an attempt to preserve humanity through poetry,” she remarked before reading selected poems from the collection.
Actress Kalpana Jha gave a powerful performance of selected verses, bringing the poetry to life on stage. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Anand Gupta, Secretary of Neelamber, who described Rakhecha’s poems as “an evocative exploration of love, relationships and human values.” The evening was anchored by radio and television presenter Chayanika Datta Gupta.
The gathering of poets, critics, and performers transformed the launch into a true celebration of literature, marking the beginning of a promising new chapter in Anila Rakhecha’s literary journey.
