Interviews

UAE-based author Smita Tiwari talks to LnC's Jyoti Babel about her debut novel Kabir – An Inward Journey, her inspirations, interest in spirituality and more.

Get up and close with Shiladitya Sarkar, author of the newly released novel Clayfaces as he delves into his book, inspirations, and artistic journey in an enlightening conversation with Jyoti Babel.

Go West Odyssey: How I Saw America in 19 Days, published by Blue Pencil in November 2022, is the maiden book of NS Rajan. In a conversation with LnC Editor-in-Chief, Antara Nanda Mondal, Rajan talks about how he came about writing his first book at 87, his experiences, memories, and plans. The pictures used in this article are from the book.

Wine-kissed Poems, an Amazon bestseller in poetry is the latest poetry chapbook in the repertoire of noted author and poet Dr Koshy AV. In an interview with Lopa Banerjee, Koshy speaks about his poetic journey and reveals how the book was conceived and written as part of the Sakhi series, as duet with Jagari Mukherjee. He also speaks about how modern poetry has evolved in all these years, and the importance of literary groups like The Significant League to build a substantial literary community.

Know Thy Dhoni celebrates the playing career and life of one of India's greatest cricketers - Mahendra Singh Dhoni with over Over 400 Questions & Stories. Noted author Amitava Nag, Editor in Chief, Silhouette Magazine and an avid cricket buff catches up with Aniket Mishra, the author of Know Thy Dhoni, over an email interview.

Dr Santosh Bakaya and Avijit Sarkar, the two authors of the beautiful short stories collection 'Bring Out the Tall Tales' speak to Lopa Banerjee, author, poet and Consulting Editor of LnC.

In a candid conversation with Lopa Banerjee, Dr. Madhumita Ghosh, author, Of A Man And The Mountains talks about short stories, characterization, the process of storytelling and her inspirations in life.

Satyajit Ray’s Heroes and Heroines, published by Rupa Publications recently was launched in Kolkata this month. In a conversation with Learning and Creativity, the author Amitava Nag, who is Editor in Chief of Silhouette Magazine and a film critic and scholar of repute, speaks about how the book embarked on it journey to pay tribute to Bengal's superlative actors who bloomed to their fullest in the cinema of Ray.

Renowned author Dr Ampat Koshy met Vinitha Nair, an upcoming painter in the realist mould on Facebook and eventually in real life. When he saw her two paintings with which she burst on the scene, he, like others, was astounded at her aesthetic acumen. Wanting to dig a bit deeper, knowing that such finesse, observation powers, concentration, focus, and eye for detail as well as craft could not come out of nowhere, he interviewed her. Excerpts:

Prof. Achyuta Samanta, founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Odisha, has been working relentlessly for Zero Poverty, Zero Hunger and Zero Illiteracy. He is the founder of the Art of Giving concept, which he has launched officially in 30 countries and in more than 210 places in India. This year the Art of Giving theme  is “Pyaar Bhara Pack” or “Feeding with Love.” This will be celebrated in 500 places across the globe. In Odisha, 3 million people will be getting quality food on 17th May. Art of Giving will be reaching out to more than 5 to 7 million in the entire country and around the world on this day. Ramendra Kumar got an opportunity to converse with Prof. Samanta on Rourkela Steel TV, the in-house cable TV network of Rourkela Steel Plant. Excerpts from the interview:

Dr. Aditi Bandyopadhyay, a physician of medicine with a parallel identity as an Odissi dancer and as dance and movement therapy, practitioner, has been actively involved as an advocate for rights of persons with Autism and other neuro-developmental delays. She speaks about the new vistas opening up in dance and movement therapy and music for helping children with Autism and special needs.

Poet, author of 'Echoes', Mallika Bhaumik talks to deputy editor of L&C, Lopa Banerjee about her recently released book, about literature and about Kolkata, her city and inspiration.

Learning and Creativity Magazine brings you an exclusive interview with Bahrain-based poet, editor and blogger Vaijayantee Bhattacharya about her debut collection of poems 'Mosaic Vision' which she launched in the city of joy, Kolkata. Editor and Journalist Vaijayantee Bhattacharya who is a ‘Kolkata Girl’ by heart and a poetic traveler by soul.

Against All Odds, the latest book for children by renowned writer Ramendra Kumar, is about three individuals, three obstacles and one passion – Football. Learning and Creativity caught up with this prolific and highly popular author for a tête-à-tête on his latest tome.

An in-depth interview with acclaimed painter and visionary artist hailing from Uttarakhand, Monica Talukdar, who has recently exhibited her stunning paintings in Hewitt Public Library, Waco and also Plano, Texas, USA.

In conversation with the two prolific authors and editors of the ghost story anthology 'Darkness There But Something More', Dr. Santosh Bakaya and Lopamudra Banerjee. The book has recently been published by The Blue Pencil and is available in Amazon and Flipkart.

A Tsunami Called Naani is the latest ace served by renowned children's books author Ramendra Kumar. He speaks to Antara on what drives him to write books for kids and how he loves weaving those enriching stories are kids love to read and listen to.

Dr Santosh Bakaya, author of the phenomenal peace poetry collection Where Are The Lilacs and Ballad of Bapu, speaks to Lopa Banerjee, of Learning and Creativity about her books, passions and inspirations.

To capture a close shot of the man, the actor and the thought processes behind the name ‘Soumitra Chatterjee', Silhouette Magazine editor and noted film critic Amitava Nag picked 20 film roles to explore the expanse of the legendary cinema and theatre actor's repertoire. In a conversation with Learning and Creativity Editor Antara, Amitava Nag talks about his book Beyond Apu – 20 Favourite Film Roles of Soumitra Chatterjee, published by Harper Collins India.

Allusions to Simplicity is Dr. Koshy A.V’s first solo collection of poetry. He speaks to Lopa Banerjee, author of the memoir 'Thwarted Escape: An Immigrant's Wayward Journey' about his latest publication.

An intimate author interview with prolific poet Sanjeev Sethi regarding his latest collection 'This Summer and That Summer'.

When thinking about the diverse themes, ideas, styles, forms and voices that coalesce in this anthology, it is this all-pervading attribute of peace and the unifying spirit of creative consciousness that strikes us about the book and makes us want to read it to understand its uniqueness and artistic/literary appeal. In conversation with author, editor, literary critic Dr. Koshy A.V. about a magnum opus literary anthology that he released, The Significant Anthology.

The author and poet extraordinaire Ramakanta Das, speaks about the symbolism, the elements of mythology and the subtle Hindu philosophies represented in his poetry collection 'Grass Flower'.

One of the most successful younger generation Indian English poets, Sonnet Mondal has a long list international literary magazines/ journal publications to his credit.

'When my second book It Had to Be You, came, situations were different, so I was prepared for that. Life was teaching and I was jotting down. Many times writing reached at that extent that I wrote something before and lived it later. It’s unbelievable but that happened with me.'

'I don’t want to force my thinking on anyone. It’s totally up to the reader what s/he wants to take back home. My job as a writer, just like a painter, is to paint a picture. What perception is formed is something I cannot push.'

Sahir Ludhianvi is probably the only songwriter in Hindi films whose poetry was accepted in its purest form. So great was his stature as an Urdu poet that he never had to mould his poetry to suit the demands of film songwriting; instead producers and composers adapted their requirements to his poetry.

Film historian and archivist SMM Ausaja, the author of Bollywood in Posters speaks to Learning and Creativity at length, discussing his long and arduous journey through the painstaking collection and meticulous archiving and restoration of vintage film memorabilia, which is now a priceless repository of India's cinema heritage.

One thing that I’ve learned while writing Never Say Never is that impossible is nothing. If you can dream it, you can certainly do it.

With India heading towards 16th Lok Sabha elections and expecting a new Prime Minister, the setting seems to be perfect for a novel based on politics and has a Prime Minister as the protagonist.

'Honesty is important, yes; but in order to fulfil your own creative requirements, you often need to re-structure the scheme of things, or at least the chronological order in which stuff happens. Because you want readers to understand and accept your book in the way it was written.'

"The greatest strength of the book is that the denouement goes beyond the pessimism, the grim reality and the sordid drama to offer more than a dash of hope."

In an interview to Learning & Creativity, Monika talks about her experience of creating Echoes From The Vortex (A Memoir) as an experience of churning and discovery, as she battled stoically with cancer.

Fablery is a place where you will get to read (very soon) works of a lot of good storytellers out there.

In an interview to L&C, Maitreyee Bhattacharjee Chowdhury talks about 'Where Even the Present is Ancient: Benaras', her latest book of poems on Benaras.

Swayam Ganguly's book ‘Love, Films and Rock ‘n’ Roll’, which was recently launched in Kolkata’s prestigious Oxford Bookstore. An exclusive interview.

L&C interviews Maitreyee Bhattacharjee Chowdhury on her recent book “Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen- Bengali Cinema’s First Couple”.