World Poetry Proudly Presents Mamta Agarwal from India!

Ariadne’s note: The World Poetry Café Radio show with hosts Ariadne Sawyer and Israel Mota  was proud to present the well known Poet from India Mamta Agarwal! An exciting show discussing the poems from her new book: The Untold Story of a Pebble. E-poem by World Poetry Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2013-2014 Richard Doiron and a special invitation to World Poets in the Vancouver Area by Pancho and Sal for their free concert, July 3, 6:30-8:30 pm at Trout Lake Park. To listen and download the radio show CLICK HERE! Also be sure to read Mamta’s poem and bio in the World Poetry Peace E-anthology on this site! Co-host Vivian Davidson is leaving for Cambodia for several weeks. Our love and prayers are with her for a safe trip and blessings in helping the people of Cambodia.

Featured Poet from India!

Mamta Agarwal studied English Literature for Masters Program at Punjab University, Chandigarh. Subsequently, she taught in Govt. College for Women and MCM DAV College for Women from 1972-74. Later, she joined a publishing house in New Delhi, as an Associate editor. After a few years took up free-lance writing, and contributes articles and poems in magazines and journals for the last 25 years. Her diverse interests, in art, architecture, history led her to pursue a course conducted by Govt. of India, Department of Tourism. She worked as a cultural ambassador for two years from 1980- 82. Subsequently, on moving to New Delhi, she taught ‘Travel and Tourism’ at International Polytechnic, New Delhi for two academic sessions and went on to publish a book on Tourism and Hotel Management.
In 1987, she decided she wanted to work with children and enrolled for B. Ed. Later instead of joining a mainstream school, she chose to join an experimental school, in New Delhil, run on Shri Aurobindo and Mother’s teachings and again did a teacher’s training course.

She has written a book on essays on Contemporary issues. Her first anthology of poems titled ‘Rhythms of Life’ was published in 2008. Her second book, titled ‘Voices of autumn and other short poems’ came out in August 2010.’ An anthology of Contemporary women poets from India’, published by Roots and Wings, selected 10 of her poems for the anthology. It was released in September, 2011. Her poetry has been published in major journals in India, Rock Pebbles, Contemporary Vibes, Poets International, SAARC Journal of Literature, Delhi Poetree, International web journal, Enchanting Verses.Her latest anthology of poems Titled- An untold story of a pebble- was released in April, 2013
.
She has been invited to recite and share poems at poetry forums and International poetry festivals held in Delhi, in the Embassy of Portugal, Canada and Italy in collaboration with Delhi University.

A member of FOSWAL- FOUNDATION OF SAARC WRITERS AND LITERATURE
Executive Member – Indian society of Authors
Member, Universal Poetry
Her name is included in Who’s who of Sahitya Akademi
Some of her poems have been translated in Hindi, Urdu and Romanian languages.
She has read research papers at seminars organized by Indian Society of Authors.
She writes in English and Hindi
Her poem ‘In the deep recesses of my heart’ was selected for display at World Peace Poetry, Canada, May,2012
One of her photographs won an award at World Peace Poetry, Canada, 2012
She was Featured poet On World peace poetry website, her poem – Spare just a moment- was featured for publication studies.
Two poems were selected for the event “Peace Rain Poetry” at Nicosia, Cyprus, May 2012.
A poem titled ‘Long last, Indian summer comes to an end’ was selected in a competition and included in the anthology ‘Mind and Heart’ by Forward Poetry UK IN 2011.
In September 2012, Axlepin Publishing, Philippines, brought out an Anthology- SPELLBOUND- THE DISTINCTIVE POETRY BOOK EXTRAORDINAIRE- WORKS OF SIX POETS FROM EUROPE AND ASIA.
Mamta Agarwal is the only Indian poet in the anthology.
She was the designated organizer of the event- 100 Thousand Poets for change in Noida,Sepember 2012, an event that was organized all over the world, Headquarters in California, USA- A peace initiative through Poetry and other arts.
She was the captain of her school Basketball team, played Table Tennis, and excelled in athletics.
She was awarded a silver medal for record grades in English Honors Course at graduation studies
She was given Editor’s choice award 2009, for creative/ critical writing by THE HOME OF LETTERS, HOLI, BHUBANESHWAR, Odhisha, INDIA
She has worked with visually challenged for more than two decades. She recorded lessons for them in the studio and worked with students In the Blind Relief Association of India, New Delhi
She has worked with street children, as a volunteer for NGO- Butterflies.

Come my child, wake up

Come my child, wake up,
Take your head out of the quilt.
All winter, you had waited for silk cotton to bloom.
See, my child, the tree is loaded with blossoms
Framed in your panes
Crimson red, waiting for your attention.
Sun has climbed up
your birds
Are waiting for a bath
and a good breakfast,
Before they fly off
To listen to, the untold stories of the sky.

Bulbul is perched on bare Frangipani,
Scouting for a place to build a nest.
Remember, last spring she had claimed
Your wall mounted fan….
Flowers are dancing in their new dresses
Orange, blue, pink, yellow and so many shades of red
Rainbow on earth!

Come my child, wake up
Today is Basant Panchami;
You got a silk tunic
Made for wearing today.
Amma has already made sweet saffron rice
With your favourite – Cashew, raisins and spices,
Prasada for Goddess Saraswati
Can you hear the temple bells…
All your friends are asking for you,
Dressed in yellow,
Eyes lined with kohl.

Come my child wake up,
You had confided in me,
You’ll write in your new diary
From today,
It  waits for your poems
your dainty handwriting.
Has sat on the desk for eons,
Come untie the thread
Before the day is done
Come my child wake up.

Nana, go on,
I know by rote
Your spring song,
Was awake
Just pretended
To be sleeping.
Come nana, come with me
Give me your hand
Let’s begin with sweet rice
Spring, I love to see it through your eyes;

It’s been a long time
You have such  a great memory.

Mamta Agarwal ©

Vasant Panchami is the first and more minor of two spring-themed festivals in Hindu culture. Vasant Panchami- on the fifth day of Indian month of  Magha ( early February) initiates the spring festive cycle and heralds its summation that occurs with Holi.^[2] The seasonal aspects of the festival are more significant in Northern India due to the sharper contrast between the winter and the spring

Vasant Panchami (Hindi: वसन्त पञ्चमी), sometimes referred to as Saraswati Puja, Shree Panchami, or the Festival of Kites 

In modern times, however, Vasant Panchami day is more commonly associated with Maa Saraswati, the goddess of learning, wisdom, knowledge, fine arts, refinement, science and technology.^[5] The Goddess Saraswati is worshipped and the day is treated by celebrants as Saraswati’s birthday.^[2] People worship Goddess Saraswati to attain enlightenment through knowledge and to rid themselves of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance.