Rahul Laud who attended the recently held book launch ceremony by author Swapna Das in Liverpool reports
At a swanky river-facing Chinese restaurant, Chester-based author Swapna Das from North England launched her third book Shristi – (The Creation) which was published on 19th July 2024. The third book from the author follows her previous books The String of Pearls and the Forgotten People published earlier in 2016 and 2019.
The launch was formal with an edge of warm intimate family surrounding, members of the Bengali Liverpool Puja committee, friends, and several well-wishers. Swapna – is a multi-talented woman with a wide range of interests from performing arts to politics and being a fiercely independent thinker her works reflect her grassroots connection, especially with her home state of West Bengal, India.
All these different facets of her life came sharply to the surface in a very clever engagement with the host Rinee Bhattacharya. Rinee’s charming presence kept the conversation lively, and engaging, drawing out various nuances of Swapna’s life, her passion, hobbies, and her books.
Shristi offers the reader a literary journey to explore and reflect on the manifestations of creation and the Omnipresent design of the universe. The short stories and poem collection delves into a deeper understanding of the mysteries of worldly life and beyond. The author has made a modest attempt to captivate the reader in a manner that helps to reflect and understand the Divine influence that permeates the narrative. Shristi is also an invitation to experience the wonderful expedition to Water World.
The third book, Srishti, is a different genre than her previous two books. Swapna is recognised as a simple yet profound storyteller and Srishti weaves tales cloaked in spirituality. Swapna gives her interpretation of characters like Gandhari from Mahabharata in her book.
Swapna through all her works has consciously refrained from being a clone of several South Asian writers in the UK. Her stories do not reflect South Asian migration stories and women’s abuse. This makes her reading refreshing, original and grounded.
Shrishti is available online. Swapna has several other ideas as she continues to pursue writing.