Film producer, impresario and author Renu Roy’s The Far Side & Other Poems published by Readomania was launched at The Saturday Club Ltd, Kolkata in association with T2 (The Telegraph), on August 9, 2023. The book was launched by Padmashree Usha Uthup, legendary singer; National Award-winning percussionist and music director, Pandit Bickram Ghosh; and Indrani Ganguly, Managing Editor Readomania Publishing. Filmmaker Ashoke Vishwanathan moderated the evening.
The evening, just like Renu’s verses, was immersive, soulful, and classy. Usha Uthup was her inimitable humourous self and made the full house roar with laughter with her wisecracks and accent impersonations. Usha ji mesmerized the audience by reciting two of Renu’s poems.
Renu herself recited a poem to everyone’s applause. She told the audience how during the stressful years of the pandemic, it was poetry that acted as a balm for her. Writing poetry was like a cathartic process for Renu. She said, during the lockdown the body was trapped within the confines of her home, but her mind was unfettered. And that gave birth to brilliant and sensitive verses.
Actor and producer Keshav Roy spoke about poetry being art that can be felt. He also recited some of Renu’s poems.
Pandit Bickram Ghosh talked about the inherent rhythm in poetry. He displayed the Iambic Pentameter—Shakespeare’s favourite meter—very innovatively using the podium. He then went on to perform a poet he had penned some years ago, with A-Capella beats.
Veteran singer Sumit Roy gave a musical rendition of Renu’s poems. He also enraptured the audience by singing some classics, albeit with some twists.
Ashoke spoke about the themes of love and longing in Renu’s poems, and about her quality to write about darker themes too with sensitivity.
Indrani Ganguly spoke about the enriching experience of publishing Renu Roy.
Members of the audience also asked Renu some questions, which she answered with great ease.
The evening reached its zenith when singer par excellence Usha Uthup began her performance. She sang four songs—Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ (from the eponymous James Bond movie), Elvis Priestly’s ‘Words’, John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, and ‘Darling’, her own song from the movie Saat Khoon Maaf.
Usha ji’s singing and the related anecdotes kept the audience rapt with attention. She also made everyone sing along with her. Not one soul was without music at that point.
The extremely lively evening was attended by the crème of Kolkata’s cultural elite, diplomats, journalists, writers, well-wishers. All guests were presented with a signed copy of The Far Side & Other Poems, a gesture much appreciated. The Saturday Club also organized refreshments for the guests.
This was a book launch that will stay etched in everyone’s minds forever. As Usha Uthup said, cry if have to in the corner for a minute, but always bounce back with a hearty smile. Renu’s poetry gave everyone more reasons than one to smile.
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