Bashabi Fraser

Polymath Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, in 1913. But Tagore was much more than a writer. Through his poems, novels, short stories, poetic songs, dance-dramas and paintings, he transformed Bengali literature and Indian art. He was instrumental in bringing Indian culture to the West and vice versa, and strove to create a less divided society through mutual respect and understanding, like his great contemporary and close friend, Mahatma Gandhi. In this timely reappraisal of Tagore’s life and work, Bashabi Fraser assesses Tagore’s many activities and shows how he embodies the modern consciousness of India. She examines his ties to his upbringing in Bengal, his role in Indian politics and his interests in international relationships, as well as addressing some of the mis-readings of his life and work through a holistic perspective.

It is Mother’s Day tomorrow and the shops are sparkling with lights and gifts, with people, laughter and excitement – looking for the perfect gift to bring a smile of joy to mums at home. Among the candles and balloons, the orchids and chocolate hearts, one young girl searches for a card that features a mum who looks like hers. Her mum has gold bangles that jingle-jangle when she washes the curry pots. Her mum wears silk kameez when she buys papaya at the market. Her mum has dark eyes that flash when she dances the bhangra. What will the little girl do if she can’t find a card with a mum who looks like hers? A lively, inclusive picture book about identity and belonging that joyfully celebrates mums and motherhood.

It is Mother's Day tomorrow, and the shops are sparkling with lights and gifts, with people, laughter, and excitement--looking for the perfect gift to bring a smile of joy to moms at home. Among the candles and balloons, the orchids and chocolate hearts, one young girl searches for a card that features a mom who looks like hers. Her mom has gold bangles that jingle-jangle when she washes the curry pots. Her mom wears silk kameez when she buys papaya at the market. Her mom has dark eyes that flash when she dances the bhangra. What will the little girl do if she can't find a card with a mom who looks like hers? This is a lively, inclusive picture book about identity and belonging that joyfully celebrates moms and motherhood.

We inhabit everything that comes our way: people, places, nature. Writing itself is our habitat. It is this space that Bashabi Fraser that explores in her new collection Habitat. These poems challenge our understanding of rules and form when it comes to poetry. Bashabi plays with the duality that her life has instructed her with – through having lived in two different countries, experiencing two different cultures – yet allowing the parallels to still come through. At its core, this collection is about our journeys – where we have been, where we are going, and what we are moving through. It is all about our habitats and our connection to them.

"Tagore's life reminds me to take a step back. The time he allowed himself to learn and dream was a commitment of years and decades."—Rupi KaurRabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) is thought of as the most important poet of modern-day India. This literary giant's writings have inspired millions of readers for generations. The Heart of God is a beautiful collection of 102 poems that explores life's many mysteries, including the joy of love, the beauty of nature, and the inevitability of death. Representing Tagore's "simple prayers of common life," each poem is an eloquent affirmation of the divine in the face of both joy and sorrow. Tagore was born into a wealthy family in the Bengali city of Calcutta during British colonial rule. Immensely talented, he would become a distinguished writer, educator, playwright, composer, social reformer, and philosopher. As a poet, Tagore is a master, having been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913—the first non-European to be given this honor. Along with Mahatma Gandhi, Tagore is considered to be the foremost intellectual and spiritual advocate for India's liberation from imperial rule. Originally compiled by Rev. Herbert Vetter, this expanded edition of The Heart of God includes 25 additional poems and a foreword by Tagore scholar Bashabi Fraser, who describes the profound wisdom of Tagore's writings and the lasting importance of this beautiful collection, along with a moving Preface by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Albert Schweitzer. Like the Psalms of David, these simple prayers transcend time and speak directly to the human heart.

A transnational collection of 'Pandemic Poetry' and paintings which, among other themes, compares India with Scotland. Vibha's oil paintings complement Bashabi's evocative poetry.

A collection of poetry on the themes of motherhood, empowerment, love and loss by acclaimed poet who has published three collections previously.> Drawing on her Indian and British life experience, Fraser engages with hard-hitting current issues such as rape culture in India, climate change and war. A son questions his mother’s love after she has learned about his violent deeds. The biblical Eve is shown as a liberator. A daughter of India demands justice from her society.

The intricate stories told in Rodrigues’ portraits are matched by the rhythms and imagery in Fraser’s poetry. From ‘The Bangladeshi Gentleman’ to ‘Jura Whisky’, this book offers an insight into the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in today’s Scotland. By peppering her poems with both Scots words and Indian words, Fraser demonstrates the bi-cultural nature of many of today’s Scots.

The Ganges and the Tay, the largest water courses in their two countries, are sources of life, conflict and industrial and historical change. The Ganga and the Tay is an epic concrete poem in which the River Ganges and the River Tay relate the historical importance of the ties between India and Scotland and their contemporary relevance as a natural symbol of continuity and peace. The poem is illustrated with beautiful photographs of both great rivers, which explore their shared, but unique, personalities through their histories, geographies, mythologies and environments.

A Bengali poet living in Scotland, Bashabi Fraser creatively spans the different worlds she inhabits, celebrating the contrasts of the two countries whilst also finding commonality. The poems focus on clear themes and issues - displacement, removal, belonging, identity and war.