Chandigarh
24 February 2023
DIVYA AZAD
Dr. Suneet Madan’s English poetry book titled ‘Poinsettia’ was launched by The Narrators Performing Arts Society uniquely through an Art-Lit Adaptation – a musical performance directed by Nisha Luthra, Founder and Director of The Narrators. The launch of the book which has a total of 60 poems took place at the Tagore Theatre’s mini auditorium, Sector 18.
Vivek Atray, Author and a former IAS officer, Samrita Kaur Gill, IRS(C & IT) and Dr. Pushpinder Kaur, a professor and the poet’s mother graced the occasion with their presence to unveil the book.
Dr. Suneet Madan said at the launch , “‘Poinsettia’, is my maiden poetry book, and I have tried to develop a new style which I have named ‘Duplet Verses’, in the collection of poems. Each word summarises my innermost views on life and living. It’s a unique format which I have been writing for the last two decades and has evolved over time.”
“The name ‘Duplet’ was given recently after my confabulations with many English Literature Professors who equated it with imagism, which is basically the use of minimalistic words to express one’s feelings. ‘Duplet Verses’ uses two words per line and the combination is made in such a manner that it encapsulates the entirety of what a proper sentence would have achieved, ” added Dr. Madan.
Director, Nisha Luthra said, “Any book we launch is like a baby to us which we nurture through promotions and long rehearsals and planning so that we deliver an immaculate Art Lit Adaptation. Each poem of ‘Poinsettia’ touches the inner chords of one’s heart which we tried to deliver through this performance. The duplet verses written by Dr. Suneet has the power to tell layers of stories and resonate so as to transform her book into a full fledged performance.”
It is to be noted that Dr. Madan’s poems find wide acceptance in forums of international repute.
Meanwhile, the event started with the Art-Lit Adaptation, a musical performance by actors portraying a narrative developed from several poems of ‘Poinsettia’. The mesmerizing performance was directed by Nisha Luthra and enacted by Divjot Gulati, Raja Subramanyam, Shivam Dhall, and the poet, Dr. Suneet Madan herself. Light operation and set execution was done by Arpan Maity, backstage was managed by Harpreet Singh, and the Assistant Director was Rajan Batheja.
It’s noteworthy that an alumnus of IIT Bombay, CEPT University Ahmedabad, KUK and Panjab University Chandigarh, Dr Suneet has received a number of accolades at international levels. Her poems and short stories have been anthologized in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
The author, Dr Suneet Madan underlined, “’Poinsettia’ signifies a life journey. There is a metaphoric reason for having the title as ‘Poinsettia’. ‘Poinsettia’ is a plant that is formed by a flower but it has many leaves too, same is with life as it seems like a flower -something good, however at times it might not be so.”
The book was unveiled by the dignitaries after the performance followed by a talk led by Poet Shweta Malhotra with Dr. Madan and the director along with a book-signing session.
The Master of Ceremonies was Poet Reema Rana, who successfully led the mesmerizing evening ahead.
