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.
The cover pages of the series are adorned with the artworks of celebrated artist Sudhir Patwardhan.
If stones could speak, they would be treasure troves of ancient and contemporary histories. They would be silos of hidden tales and forgotten words that would wake us up to then and now… and how we have travelled from long before B.C. and A.D., besides other conjured chronicles. If stones could speak, theirs would be ‘real’ words to this world’s surreal transformation. Words are mirrors. Words tell us who we are and who we are not. In this Chapbook, these are words that I did not seed. These words emerged from my inner silo of hidden narratives that come and go at will, like wandering minstrels. Sometimes they sprinkle thoughts that grow into a forest of words; sometimes they sail into my cell phone and become a haiku.
Bina (Sarkar Ellias. b 1949) is poet, writer, art curator and editor-designer-publisher of International Gallerie, the global arts and ideas journal since 1997. Her seven books of poems include Fuse (taught at the Towson University, USA) and recently Ukiyo-e Days… Haiku Moments. She authored the acclaimed Big Book of Indian Art in 2024, and has received several awards, including ‘The Women to Watch 2024, Award’ for excellence in her work. Bina resides in Munbai, India.
