Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 18: The renowned poet and author Neelam Saxena Chandra launched her latest poetry collection, Rhyming with Life, in a grand literary event at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai. The event, titled "Words That Bloom: From Page to Stage", was held on February 15 and brought together a distinguished panel of literary, artistic, and academic personalities, making it an evening of deep poetic exploration and cultural celebration.
The book launch was graced by notable personalities including Suruchi Mohta, an eminent musician and composer; Shri Chandrashekhar Sanekar, a highly regarded poet; Dr. Sudhir Nirgudkar, a respected literary enthusiast; and Dr. Sujata Jadhav, Head of the Documentation Centre at NCPA. The session was expertly hosted by Salil Jain, whose engaging presence set the tone for a reflective and inspiring evening celebrating the beauty of poetry and its role in understanding life.
Exploring Life’s Rhythms Through Poetry
Neelam Saxena Chandra, a prolific writer known for her ability to express profound emotions through simple yet impactful language, has once again captivated poetry lovers with Rhyming with Life. The book, consisting of 50 deeply introspective poems, delves into the unpredictable nature of human existence and the universal quest to align with life’s shifting patterns. Through vivid imagery and lyrical expression, the collection reflects on how individuals navigate love, loss, aspirations, and the intricate dance of fate and free will. Speaking about her new book, Neelam shared, “Life is never predictable. It seldom moves in the direction we desire, yet we must find a way to blend into its ever-changing hues. Through these verses, I have attempted to encapsulate this very idea—of syncing with life’s rhythms rather than resisting them.”
The poetry collection is edited by Raksha Hegde, and its cover features a painting by Sudeep Deshpande, a talented artist based in Bahrain. The book is published by AKS Publishing House.
A Literary Evening to Remember
The book launch was followed by a mesmerizing poetry rendition session, where esteemed poets took center stage to recite verses in English, Hindi, and Marathi. Their performances brought to life the themes of resilience, self-reflection, love, and the deep bond between human emotions and nature.
The poets who enthralled the audience with their recitations included Salil Jain, Anup Jalan, Vineet Mishra, Sunil Joshi, Asha Singh Gaur, Meera Bhansali, Dr. Maitreyee Joshi, Purna Parikh, Juhi Gupte, and the author herself, Neelam Saxena Chandra. Each poet’s unique style and voice contributed to a rich tapestry of poetic expression, making the evening a truly immersive literary experience.
Neelam Saxena Chandra: A Literary Icon
Neelam Saxena Chandra is a well-recognized name in Indian literature, known for her extensive and versatile body of work. Despite the demands of her professional life, her passion for writing has led her to publish an impressive 7 novels, 9 short story collections, 47 poetry books, and 15 children’s books. More than 2,000 of her literary pieces have been featured in esteemed journals and magazines, making her one of the most prolific contemporary writers in India.
Neelam holds the Limca Book of Records (2015) distinction for the highest number of published works in a single year. Her literary achievements have been widely recognized, earning her prestigious awards such as:
Sohanlal Dwivedi Puraskar for children’s literature by the Maharashtra State Hindi Sahitya Akademi
Humanity International Women Achiever Award
Bharat Nirman Literary Award
Rabindranath Tagore International Poetry Award
Premchand Award (twice) by the Ministry of Railways
Recognition from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness, USA) in 2021 for one of her poems, which secured the 7th position in an international contest
Named among India’s 78 most popular authors by Forbes in 2014
Recently honored with the Reuel Lifetime Achievement Award by The Significant League and Setu Award for Excellence
Her bestselling works include short story collections such as Lines of Fate, The Chiseled World, and Rang Bhara Tohfa; Hindi poetry books like Kai Basant Dekhe Hain Maine, Tilism-e-Zindagi, and Moh Se Bandhi Main; and English poetry collections like Splinters of a Broken Mirror, Garden of Fragility, Beneath the Dead Skin, and The Lost Mint Taste. Her novels The Red Diary and Karmic Threads have also been widely appreciated by readers and critics alike.
A Celebration of Poetry and the Power of Words
The launch of Rhyming with Life at NCPA, Mumbai, was more than just a book release—it was a tribute to the timeless power of poetry to inspire, heal, and bring people together. The event provided literature enthusiasts, poets, and readers an opportunity to engage with a celebrated literary voice and experience poetry as a living, breathing art form.
The evening concluded with a warm exchange of ideas between the audience and the participating poets, reinforcing the significance of literature in shaping thoughts and emotions. As poetry lovers walked away, they carried with them not just the memories of a soulful evening of poetry, but a piece of Neelam Saxena Chandra’s poetic soul—a collection that urges every reader to embrace the melody of life, no matter how unpredictable its rhythm may be.
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