Thursday, August 7, 2025
Thursday, August 8, 2024
New Book - Etesian::Barahmasi
Buy: Amazon India - https://www.amazon.in/dp/8197403643
Flipkart India - https://www.flipkart.com/product/p/itme?pid=9788197403644
Penprints - https://penprints.in/shop/product/etesianbarahmasi-by-amit-shankar-saha/
Amazon United States - https://www.amazon.com/dp/8197403643?ref=myi_losg_title_dp
Amazon United Kingdom - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/8197403643?ref=myi_losg_title_dp
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Friday, August 14, 2020
Monday, July 22, 2019
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Poetry Chapbook Contest 2018!
Submission deadline extended to 15th July.
Rhythm Divine Poets Poetry Chapbook Contest Guidelines 2018
1. The poetry chapbook contest is being organized by Rhythm Divine Poets, a Kolkata-based poets group co-founded by three poets (Dr. Amit Shankar Saha, Sufia Khatoon and Anindita Bose) for the promotion of poetry.
2. The length of the chapbook should be between 24-30 pages of poems.
3. The language should be English.
4. There is no theme.
5. There is no submission fee.
6. There is no restriction of nationality to enter the contest.
7. Entry is limited to one manuscript per poet. No simultaneous submission allowed.
8. Only poets who have no full-length book published in print (singly or co-authored) and not more than one chapbook published in print (singly or co-authored) are eligible for entry.
9. The manuscript should be formatted in Times New Roman with 12 size font and should have a content page.
10. The manuscript should be in MS Word document bearing the title of the chapbook and the name of the poet.
11. Manuscript should be submitted by email to rhythm.divine.asa@gmail.com with the subject line “Submission – Chapbook 2018 – (Name of the Poet)”
12. The email should have: (a) a short bio of the poet, (b) a declaration that the entire manuscript is an original work and the poet bears the copyright to it, (c) a declaration that the manuscript has not been published as a whole in any format before, (d) if individual poems have been published in any journals/ magazines/ periodicals/ anthologies (print or online) then those details should be provided separately, (e) full contact details of the poet, (f) any disclosures that may be relevant.
13. The winner will be provided 20 printed copies of the chapbook published by Hawakal Publishers, our publishing partner. More copies can be bought from Rhythm Divine Poets. Postage to be borne by foreign/ outstation poets. Rhythm Divine Poets will make the chapbook copies available at their events for prospective buyers.
14. Poets who are longlisted/ shortlisted will be provided certificates if sought.
15. The launch event of the chapbooks will be held in Kolkata.
16. The last date of submission of manuscript is 30th June, 2018.
17. This year our judging partner is Intercultural Poetry and Performance Library (IPPL) who will appoint judges for various stages (longlisting, shortlisting, finale) of the competition. Rhythm Divine Poets will be responsible for monitoring the technical aspects of judging and resolving contentious issues that may arise. Secrecy will be maintained regarding which judge is judging which part of the contest.
18. No participating poet will contact any judge regarding this matter. Each manuscript will be provided a unique number and sent to IPPL judges without any identification mark of the poet.
19. After submission of your manuscript please be sure that you receive an acknowledgement email from Rhythm Divine Poets within a week. If you do not receive it then do email us.
20. Keep checking Rhythm Divine Poets blog (http://rhythmdivinepoets.blogspot.in/) and/ or Facebook page (http://facebook.com/rhythmdivinepoets/) for periodic updates.
21. Rhythm Divine Poets will try to maintain the expected timeline of the contest subject to contingencies.
22. By entering the contest the participating poet grants Rhythm divine Poets the exclusive right to publish the submitted manuscript.
23. The decision of the organizers will be final and binding and no disputes will be entertained.
24. Any violation of the guidelines will disqualify the participating poet.
25. Rhythm Divine Poets will maintain strict ethical standards in conducting this contest and will expect the same from the participating poets.
About our judging partner:
Intercultural Poetry and Performance Library (IPPL), Kolkata draws on the model of The Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh, Scotland. Conceptualized as a unique national resource centre for poetry, the Intercultural Poetry and Performance Library boasts of a pan Indian outlook and aspires to become a veritable home of creative minds—to bring people and poems together nationally and forge lasting ties with the international writing community, thus building a worldwide audience for Indian poetry, and an audience for international poetry in India. A firm believer in the power of the pen, the Society also seeks to find avenues of exchange between poetry and other forms of visual & performing arts so as to heighten the impact of the arts on contemporary life and society and make poetry and the arts the means of societal uplift and aid as well. The advisory board of IPPL includes eminent poet Prof. Shankho Ghosh (Gyanpith awardee and Sahitya Akademi winner twice), Prof. Bashabi Fraser, Mr. Amalesh Dasgupta, Mr. Goutam De, Mr. Pankaj Roy, amongst others. IPPL is governed by Prof. Sanjukta Dasgupta (academician and poet with five collections of poems) as President, Dr. Sharmila Ray (academician and poet with eight collections of poems) as Vice-President, Dr. Jaydeep Sarangi (academician and poet with six collections of poems) as Secretary, Ms. Ananya Chatterjee (techie and poet with three collections of poems) as Treasurer, Dr. Sutapa Chaudhuri (academician and poet with three collections of poems) as Assistant Secretary, and others.
Previous Winners
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Saturday, November 4, 2017
* BALCONIES OF TIME NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!
To buy it in India visit http://www.hawakal.com/books/english-books/balconies-of-time/
To buy it in the UK visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/8193532538/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509699824&sr=1-1&keywords=amit+shankar+saha
To buy it in the US visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/8193532538/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509699753&sr=8-1&keywords=amit+shankar+saha
Monday, October 30, 2017
* BALCONIES OF TIME
My debut collection of poems titled BALCONIES OF TIME is published by Hawakal Publishers and is available online at http://www.hawakal.com/books/english-books/balconies-of-time/
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
* Poem at Duane's PoeTree!
Read my poem "Where I Come From" here https://duanespoetree.blogspot.in/2017/07/amit-shankar-saha-writes.html
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
* Publications!
Read my poems "Heartbreak of the Lost Earth", "Coral" and "The One I Should Not Name" published in The Cauldron, 7th Issue, 2017 - http://www.dolchhut.com/2017/06/the-cauldron-7th.html?m=1
Read my conversation with Pragati Gupta on love at Bonobology - https://www.bonobology.com/love/the-paradox-of-love/1037-the-experiences-of-being-in-love-with-many-men-and-women
Read my review of Prof. Sanjukta Dasgupta's fifth collection of poems Lakshmi Unbound at Setu Magazine - http://www.setumag.com/2017/05/lakshmi-unbound-sanjukta-dasgupta.html
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
* Spring 2017!
My research article "Existential
Alienation and the Indian Diaspora: An Approach to the Writings of Anita Desai,
Bharati Mukherjee, Sunetra Gupta, and Jhumpa Lahiri" published in CLRI journal. Visit: http://literaryjournal.in/index.php/clri/article/view/156
My book review of Lopa Banerjee's Thwarted Escape: An Immigrants's
Wayward Journey published in Bonobology blog. Visit: https://www.bonobology.com/blogs/917-amit-shankar-saha/43-my-love-affair-with-lopa-banerjee-a-review-of-thwarted-escape-by-dr-amit-shankar-saha
My poems "The Bermuda Triangle" and
"The Last Riverine Civilization" published in Tuck Magazine. Visit: http://tuckmagazine.com/2017/03/29/poetry-788/
My poem "A Secret of Forests"
published in Oddball Magazine.
Visit: https://oddballmagazine.com/2017/04/12/poem-by-dr-amit-shankar-saha/
My poem "Autism" (#26)
published in Different Truths online anthology on Autism awareness.
Visit: http://www.differenttruths.com/literature/poems/an-anthology-of-poems-on-autism-awareness/
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report
"Workshop on "Songs, Roots,
Inheritance: Caryapada to Gitagovinda, Samkhya to Sahajiya"
15th April 2017
On the first day of the Bengali New Year a
one-day workshop on “Songs, Roots, Inheritance: Caryapada to Gitagovinda,
Samkhya to Sahajiya” was organized by Shoptodina Foundation at Mahabodhi
Society Hall, Kolkata. The workshop saw three presentations starting
with the playing of a song from the Caryapadas, the oldest existing text of
Bengali literature. The first presentation was by Dr. Tamal Dasgupta who
introduced the theme and said that song is the language that has connected
human beings since ancient times. Perhaps the Neanderthals got extinct in
competition because of the Homo Sapiens’ ability to sing. He went on to
explicate from the 3500-year old Hurrian hymn on how the transformation of
foraging culture to agrarian culture affected human beings. From Krishna’s
flute to Shakti worship at Pandu Rajar Dhipi are all perhaps fertility rituals.
He brought focus on Samkhya philosophy and how its development through stages
of ancient, classical, Sahajiya, Tantric and other forms saw aspects of duality
between Purusha and Prakiti. He also brought in psychoanalysis and logocentrism
to explain the materialistic base and tragic vision of Samkhya. His thrust was
on the concept that Indian civilization is Samkhya-based and not Veda-based. He
then went on to elaborate on how Lakshman Sen’s court poet Jayadeva’s Gitagovinda has Sahajiya philosophy at its
root.
Post lunch-break saw two presentations on
Kirtan and Baul tradition by Sayantan Thakur and AnirbanMondal
respectively.Sayantan Thakur interspersed his presentation with beautiful
rendition of kirtans while expounding on the various types of kirtans like Naamkirtan,
Lila kirtan, Suk kirtan, Gunakirtan, Dhopkirtan, etc. He said that the two
prominent gharanas of kirtans viz. Garenhatigharana and Manoharsaingharana gave
the 162 taals used in kirtan. He said that kirtan has six parts – Katha, Sur,
Taal, Katang, Aakhor, Doha – and how Gitagovinda’staals
are kholtaal and not of pakhwaj. Sayantan Thakur created an atmosphere of
serenity through his excellent singing skills and knowledge of ragas. After him
the presentation on Baul tradition saw AnirbanMondal elucidate on how Baul
originated as an alternative to conventional religion and represented a social
revolution. He said that the etymology of the word “baul” is from “batul” which
means crazy. He made it pertinent that in the Baul tradition the status of woman
was very high and a woman could also be a “guru” and give “diksha” to
disciples. The Baul tradition attracted marginalized people across class,
religion, social and economic backgrounds.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
* Rhythm Divine Poets Blog!
Rhythm Divine Poets on its 2nd Anniversary launches its blog. Visit: http://rhythmdivinepoets.blogspot.com
Monday, February 27, 2017
* Poetry on Tram and Hosting Nabina Das!
POETRY on WHEELS – YES on a TRAM!
Rhythm Divine Poets went reciting poems on a decked up tramcar around the city on the occasion of International Mother Language Day on 21st February, 2017. The event was part of CIMA, Chitrabani and Rotaract Club of Central Calcutta’s initiative to raise awareness about this eco-friendly mode of transport. The tram had paintings and photographs on display by various artists. The event was covered by Citi Cable and Friends FM. Apart from Rhythm Divine Poets there were other groups who joined the initiative, like Monmarte, as well as individual musicians like Akash Dasupta, Pavlu Banerjee and others. The ride started at Nonapukur Tram Depot around 2:30 p.m. and went all the way to Esplanade Tram Museum where there was halt for refreshment and then back to the depot. At the museum there was more of music and poetry recitation. Poets who recited included Anindita Bose, Amit Shankar Saha, Sufia Khatoon, Urvashi Mukherjee, Akash Sinha, Komal Khaitan and others. Many foreign students in Kolkata on exchange programme from the US too came on board to be a part of this novel ride. Trams have been a heritage of Kolkata but now operate only on a few routes in the city. Rhythm Divine Poets are happy to join this effort of bringing together art, music, poetry and our heritage the tram in an interesting combination that gives an amazing experience.
AN EVENING WITH NABINA DAS!
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
* Release of Rhythm Divine Poets Anthology!
Rhythm Divine Poets Anthology Volume 1 (2016) was released by noted Indian poet Sharmila Ray and US poet Neal Hall at Art Rickshaw on 21st January, 2017.
It was followed by a formal book launch at the Kolkata International Book Fair.
Rhythm Divine Poets also did a poetry event at the US pavilion at the Kolkata International Book Fair.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
* Virtual Reality!
At the launch of the poetry anthology Virtual Reality I spoke on the
topic "Virtual Reality: The Literature of Suspending Disbelief."The text of the speech has been published in Different Truths. Visit to read -
Friday, November 18, 2016
Thursday, October 27, 2016
* My Bonobology Article!
Is loving more than one person wrong or just different?
Since I have been a contributor to a couple of Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul series books, I have often been forwarded questionnaire on couple compatibility or sought response to whether or not mobile phones have made partners come closer or how does one see PDAor do people need closure with their ex. Sometimes I have posted my response and sometimes I have not answered saying that I don’t have a partner. So, when I was asked this question, “You don’t have a partner?” I replied, “Yes, I am single.” And then the obvious question to follow was,“Why?”
Looking back at my thirty eight years of life and still being single I realize I have to address this question in public at some point in time and not escape with a smile like I have done so many other times. So, I answered, “Never found any. Actually, however utopian it may sound, I am married to literature. It is very difficult to find someone who will be my second wife.” And then I added, “But I love many and that too without any guilt. If one eschews the family structure then one can avoid the guilt. I believe the traditional family structure was formed as a safeguard against the irresponsible behavior of human beings on the path of civilization but as we have progressed we have seen newer family structures. Being single is also a family structure. It is a single person family structure and though it may not have certain advantages, it gives precedence of the individual over a group. In fact we do want diversity in society with different lifestyles co-existing harmoniously and no one gets stifled into a herd mentality.
I have been facing the argument from friends and family that one needs someone with whom one can share things with and someone who will care for each other especially in old age. But does marriage guarantee that, especially an arranged marriage? A person like me who jealously guards his literary space and is not willing to compromise on that front will require someone equally immersed in that space to be compatible. I have not exactly come across such a person so far. A person, who is married, has his/her spouse and kids as first priority before he/she can indulge in any literary activity. Here comes the question of responsibility. I would not like to marry and end up being an irresponsible husband and father. Often I feel that living a different kind of life itself adds literariness to that life. I try to bring that literariness in my life as an aspect that makes it pregnant with possibilities, even though never actualized. The society often indulges in a kind of duplicity where a literary character is appreciated in a text but such a character in real life is not appreciated. Haven’t we appreciated characters like Florentina Ariza, Anna Karenina, Yuri Zhivago, Madam Bovary, and even Paul Morel and Maggie Tulliver. Why can’t I live my life as literature?For me living a life as literature is a creative challenge because it demands on me to create an intellectual and emotional utopia. It goes beyond the binaries of right and wrong and is rather amoral for it is the only space where life as art survives and thrives.
“So, you believe in polyamory. I could sense that,”came the rejoinder. Immediately I felt the need to explain a bit and said that I enjoy the state of being in love. To do something for someone when one is not duty-bound to do anything gives such a high. To care for someone just out of love and not because one is n any relationship is so much better and selfless. From the people I love I don’t expect anything more than friendship. Living a life with the chronic symptoms of falling in love every now and then and being in love with more than one person at the same time can be seen as aberrations in social behavior pattern in any individual. But I realized that facet in me without any guilty conscience and have been living with the sense of being in love most of the time in a controlled manner without letting my feelings to reach its logical conclusion. I do this because I cannot find an answer to the question why I should sacrifice one love for the sake of another and not have it all. For me love should make me liberal, magnanimous and all-encompassing. I believe that love should make one love more rather than put restrictions, unless one is willing to commit to a single person. The former case of polyamory is natural and the latter case of commitment is social, born out of the need to protect the family structure.
The next question that followed was, “But the others with whom you are in relationships, do they understand it too?” I answered that earlier I have had crushes and infatuations when I was really young but I found no single individual had everything I wanted and I did not have everything they probably expected. Some have called me commitment phobic. Perhaps I am that because if I commit I have to guarantee steady income, proper attention and mental fidelity pertaining to love, all of which I cannot guarantee. But very lately I have expressed myself to a few. To those whom I have confessed my love I have also confessed the multiplicity of my love. And I am glad that they could understand my point of view. But here I must clarify one thing. Loving someone can be platonic too whereas being in a relationship has a sexual side to it. That is why I say I don’t have a partner and I am single because, even though I am in love with a few, I am not in a relationship with any. I choose not to have a family in favour of having multiple loves. This can also be seen as living in a utopia but at least it does not make me miserable with longings.
And then my inquirer said that she too felt this way except that she plunged into marriage before she realized that she feels this way. I replied that I believe many married people think this way. In fact most often if someone follows a different value system it is misinterpreted as a wrong value system or no value system. We must not forget that we belong to a society where polygamy, polyandry, monogamy, monoandry, matriarchal households, patriarchal households, single-parent families, joint families have all existed. So, there is nothing wrong in being single or loving more than one person at a time. Those who do so with a sense of responsibility are not wrong but just different and society has to accept it.
Monday, September 26, 2016
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