Being an independent self-published author, I had always wanted to meet and interact with people with an equal knack for storytelling and literature. They are not the authors you find in the bookstores or online portals; because they are the ones who write for themselves, for the sheer pleasure of writing, to answer their urge for story-telling.
 |
| My cousin Ushni Dasgupta reading her story |
One such opportunity came in my way when I received an invitation to attend a ‘Bottola’ gathering in Faridabad, last weekend. It was hosted by my aunt, Dr. Mousumi Dasgupta, and my uncle, Mr. Shantanil Dasgupta A Bottola is a gathering of like-minded literature enthusiasts who meet regularly and discuss literature. They read their stories, poetries and anything they’ve written to an audience and experience and appreciate other people’s literature. I was invited as a guest along with my mother. She’d written her periodic short story pertaining to that theme of that gathering - ‘It was your promise, you’d write to me.’ There were people from varied profession from artists to travellers, from retired people to the ones having a 9-5 job, almost everyone who sought refuge in literature.
 |
| Bottola Story-telling session running full fledgedly. |
 |
| A section of the members present |
 |
| Another section of the attendeees |
 |
| The host of the evening Dr. Mousumi Dasgupta with Ushni and the moderator for the evening-Mr. Dipak Mukhopadhyay |
It was my opportunity to express myself about my book- “Laments and Virtues”, also a book giveaway and book signing followed. I received an overwhelming response and blessings from the members, all of whom were much elder and much-experienced people when it came to writing.
 |
| Me signing the copies of Laments and Virtues. In the chair- Mr Kishore, a senior Bottola member |
This Bottola, is remarkable in more than one ways for it witnesses and sustains Bengali while miles away from Bengal. This shows the attachment of people towards their mother-tongue and the enthusiasm to recreate the same passion in home away from home.
Often, in the modern urban lives, the pursuit of our career (job or studies) makes us leave our home and make living in an alien land far away from our culture. I was born in Howrah (West Bengal), but had my childhood in Chowduar, Cuttack (Orissa), Dehri-on-son (Bihar) and Bardhhaman (West Bengal), Kakinada (Seemandhra) and Haldia (West Bengal) before joining college in Jadavpur University. While my nomadic childhood offered me the various experiences and understanding of different cultures, which wouldn’t have been possible if I were brought up in one place, it also kept me away from my own culture. There was one point where I had difficulty understanding the quirks and sarcasm in my own language.
But these people I met here in Bottola had a similar life. They were away from their home and culture, yet they took time every day from their busy schedule to nurture and relish their language and come together once a month to exchange their views and words.
That evening left me both baffled and inspired. I felt a sudden tinge in myself that I have many stories in me trying to come out. There was an imminent urge to write, feel and enjoy. More than anything I felt at home after a long time.
I take this opportunity to thank every member of Bottola for inviting me and giving me an evening to remember for a long time to come.
