Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Bahrain-based author and wordsmith Nivedita Roy has released her latest book of poems, exploring diverse themes inspired by injustice, war, women’s issues and more, writes Melissa Nazareth.
Bringing alive the Indian expatriate’s ‘scribbles’, Recipe for a Poet’s Broth, is a collection of 65 poems across seven sections, spanning introspections, fond memories and more.
“I made a short trip to the Swiss Alps in April this year and as I sat admiring the joys of nature, myriad thoughts came to mind. Pouring them on paper was a cathartic experience,” the 54-year-old told GulfWeekly, explaining the creative process behind her ‘labour of love’.
“Once the compilation was sorted, I shared the manuscript with my editor, Ritu Bhatnagar, who is based in Bengaluru; this is our sixth project together.
“I requested Avantika Vijay Singh to write the Afterword. She is a poet and editor and has authored three books.
“Canada-based writer Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca, daughter of the famous poet Nissim Ezekiel, wrote a note for me in the book as well, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude to all,” the Al Raja School teacher added.
Speaking of the book’s name, the Adliya resident explained that it was sparked by a NaPoWriMo 2025 prompt – a month-long undertaking by poets around the world to pen down 30 creations in 30 days, based on a daily prompt.
Many of the poems featured in the book were written during NaPoWriMo last year and some others are older.
Nivedita, who has called Bahrain home for more than two decades, draws inspiration for a lot of her work from the kingdom.
“I am so proud to be part of this beautiful island. One of the poems in the section Poetic Forms was written during the creative writing session of the Bahrain Writers’ Circle; Sunset was inspired by the mesmerising sunset at Karbabad beach; A cache of lessons, a multitude of teachers encapsulates my experiences as a teacher in Bahrain and A bustling nest to an empty nest has references to my life here after my children left,” she said.
Dreams of Gaza has been translated into Arabic for an international anthology entitled Heaven’s Paradise.
An excerpt from the poem reads:
“Dreams of a warm hearth with kin breathing
A posse to play marbles or just a cheerful race…
The childish blabber was drowned in chaos.”
The book is published by Authorspress India and is available on Amazon.
