At the nascent age of nineteen, to seek solace from the pain that life threw her way, Author Sweta Mandal turned to Shayari. Having lost her father, she channelized all the hurt and negativity into her art. She had fire in her eyes, pain in her soul, and a burning desire to be heard. And hence was born, her first published work, Ae Zindagi: Safarnama, a collection of shayaris in an eclectic mix of Urdu and Hindi.
Now, years later, the talented shayar is back again to wow us with her latest collection of shayaris, in Zeest-e-Zubaani, which celebrates life in all its vicissitudes.
While Ae: Zindagi: Safarnama was about death, separation, and the pain of losing someone forever, Zeest-E-Zubaani, looks at life in all its glory. It’s a poetic analysis of life, an elegiacal tribute to its ebbs and flows.
Currently pursuing a dual degree course in management and law, she aspires to work for a top-notch firm, while making a mark with her earnestness and acumen. She and her works have been featured in publications and media portals such as The Author News, Delhi Wire, and Author Times.
She is a diligent worker and loves travelling. She is also a music enthusiast and loves to binge-watch the latest movies and web series. Relishing each moment as it comes, and living it in its entirety is a unique specialty of hers. When not indulging in either of the two, she can be found interacting with fellow Shayari lovers on her Facebook and Instagram platforms.
We at bookGeeks had the lucky chance to interact with her in 2018. Check out the interview here – Author Sweta Mandal talks about her collection of poems | Ae Zindagi: Safarnama. Now once again, in 2022, we had the pleasure of a tete-e-tete with her. Here’s what she has to say about her love penchant for Shayari, her love for life, her poetry, and her upcoming projects.
Who is Sweta as a person and as a writer? Tell us something about yourself. |
I have been a determined doer, aspiring globetrotter, a resilient worker, and an author. Oh, no no, don’t take me wrong but sometimes I have to try not to be caught up so much in the moment. When I am on a break all I do is eat, wander, and be in the moment. I love to savour those moments, listen to music, and binge-watch movies. |
Take us through your latest book Zeest-e-Zubaani? What can the readers expect from it? |
Zeest –e –Zubaani accentuates hope over ruin and choosing happiness over suffering. It also emphasizes self-worth, gaining balance and perspective, grieving, relentless persistence, transformation, and not letting mere emotions be slaves to your thoughts. The book will perhaps make you wonder... do they make hearts like hers anymore and overwhelm you with a thought-provoking message, rightfully so. |
Sweta, we last had the pleasure of interacting with you in 2018. Tell us about your journey since? |
Touchwood, the journey has been blissful. I haven’t had to deal with negative reviews so far...People were quite gracious with Ae Zindagi (Safarnama). Love pouring in, through fan mails, has been truly overwhelming. I did an impromptu meet and greet in Mumbai in 2019 and was surprised by 30 people. Their love and the curious questions were so genuine. My readers keep me going and I hope they would love Zeest-e –Zubaani as well. |
How different is Zeest-e-Zubaani from your first book Ae Zindagi: Safarnama? |
Ae Zindagi explored broader aspects of life while Zeest–e–Zubaani is an amalgamation of those little nuances, often overlooked clichés, actually vying for minutely detailed attention. I would like to say Ae Zindagi was for beginners, while Zeest- e- Zubaani is more candid, more evocative, and eloquent in Urdu. Each phrase is followed by a glossary of Urdu words, translated to English, for an audience who genuinely has a penchant for Urdu. |
According to you, what should be done to promote Urdu poetry on a national scale? |
I believe the Urdu language has seen many shifts in support throughout its long history, as the times change the people led by their government fall in and out of favour of certain languages. The National Council for Promotion of Urdu language has taken the initiative in bringing out publications in/about the Urdu language and literature. However, within India, the use of the Urdu language is a cause for which many people and organisations have been working. These efforts, however, are not without their flaws. It is the mix of these efforts along with popular interest developed by films and ongoing research that will ensure that classical Urdu texts will be preserved and promoted. One can read poetry and prose, watch Bollywood films and engage in a lively manner with South Asian cultural traditions through these mighty yet subtle languages. |
What does your writing regimen look like? Are you a disciplined writer or a spontaneous one? |
Oh, I am quite the spontaneous one indeed. I usually write when I am travelling, going to work, or doing grocery shopping. There is no stipulated time as such. Honestly, wouldn’t writing become mundane if it were a fixed regime. |
Take us through a regular day in your life. |
On a regular day, I wake up quite early, do my riyaaz, make tea, and just love to sit in the balcony and enjoy some me-time. If some college work is pending, I do that. Then go to work, as in college or internships - usually on calls, follow-ups with clients. By 8:00 pm I am free, then it is cooking or ordering something, and eating a scrumptious meal. Then I laze around on my couch till 12 and go to bed. I usually write at midnight, also I firmly believe one needs to have a good work-life balance. Over the years, I have made a concerted effort to strike this balance. |
What are your other interests apart from writing? |
I am also quite passionate about music. I love singing and plan to write lyrics someday. |
Which social media platform are you most active on? How can our readers get in touch with you? |
Oh, I am quite active on Instagram...During the pandemic, I couldn’t do any meet and greet so scheduled zoom calls and informed my people through Instagram. It was a fulfilling session as I got to know them, and their likes and dislikes. Before the pandemic, I did meet and greet in Hyderabad and Mumbai, but it was very impromptu and boy, I was elated to see the response. Within 1 hour I met 40 people, roamed all around Juhu Chowpatty, had vada pav. There were some of the best moments of my life. |
Any new writing projects that you are currently working on? |
Umm, yes, I have been working on a new project. Two, actually, one is with another artist. But yes, I can’t disclose further as things haven’t fully materialised yet. |
Connect with Sweta on Instagram
Buy her latest book from Amazon using the link below.