Description

An initiative of Red River and Indian Novels Collective

Hummingbirds are distinguished by their dazzling colours, diminutive size, and speedy flight, the only birds that can fly backwards, upside down, sideways, and hover in mid-air. Sighting a hummingbird also signals that challenging times are over and healing can begin. These little birds are also a sign of hope and spiritual significance. They are also critically endangered species, facing the prospect of extinction due to climate change.

Since publishing poetry is considered perhaps the most adventurous or perilous creative journey, curating a poetry series in the name of hummingbirds literally and metaphorically affirms our faith in the commitment and belief in the power of small to achieve the impossible.

Inspired by Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan activist and the first woman Nobel Peace Prize winner from Africa, who pioneered Green Belt Movement, and a great believer in the power of hummingbirds, we believe that our Hummingbirds Chapbook Series, a joint initiative of Red River and Indian Novels Collective, will energise poets and poetry lovers to come together and help create a republic of imagination.

Note from the author: “The poems in this collection were originally composed in Bengali and have been translated into English by Barnali Roy, who has been doing most of my translations into English over the years. I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to her for her aesthetic refinement, literary insight, and unwavering dedication to the art of translating these poems.”

Prabal Kumar Basu is a renowned Bengali poet, editor, and literary figure. He has published 22 volumes of poetry, along with collections of essays and short stories. He edited Signposts, an anthology of Bengali poetry since Independence, and serves as the editor of Yapanchitra, a Bengali little magazine widely regarded as a vibrant platform for young writers and emerging voices. His works have been translated into several Indian and international languages, and a Spanish edition of his poetry has been published in Mexico. A recipient of the State Akademi Award for poetry, he was invited by the President of India to participate in the prestigious Writers’ Residency Programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2017. He is also the Chairman of the Kolkata International Foundation for Arts, Literature & Culture.

Barnali Roy is a prominent editor, translator, and publisher associated with Yapanchitra Books, and serves as the managing trustee of the Yapanchitra Foundation. She is also a founder trustee of the Kolkata International Foundation for Arts, Literature & Culture and actively participates in various literary and cultural activities.