March 12, 2010 March 12, 2010

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Multilingual Poetry Book Launch and Art exhibition at Central Library Mississauga by Meena Chopra

“Glimpses of the Setting Sun - A multilingual poetry celebration, BOOK LAUNCH & ART
EXHIBITION”. Sunday, February 28, 2010, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Mississauga Central Library,
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

A special afternoon of poetry reading with a BOOK LAUNCH featuring ‘subah kaa suuraj ab mera nahii.n hai (Adieu to the Dawn)’ in
Hindi & with readings both in Hindi and English was held on 28th February 2010. Coming to Canada from her native India, artist and
poet Meena Chopra’s intense search has taken her far beyond boundaries in finding her new identity.
2nd edition of her previously published a book of English “I consider Meena not only a poet and an artist, but a bridge-
poems “Ignited Lines” was also released. builder,” said Bains of Chopra.
Readings were in both Hindi and English, and included a “Meena Chopra has showcased poetry and paintings that
work transliterated into Urdu script by poet Nasim Syed, reflect her Indian heritage and Canadian experience”, said
and transliterated into Roman script by poet Suman Ghai. Indian Consul M.P. Singh and called this “unselfconsciously
Meena Chopra has held several exhibitions nationally and multicultural.”
internationally. She represented India internationally on “She does not recognize any borders – her experiences are
many occasions including at the South Asian Association universal,” said Suman K. Ghai, a friend and co-founder of
for Regional Cooperation artists meet in 2002. Event was the Hindi Writers Guild. Ghai transliterated Chopra’s po-
hosted by Mississauga Library System of CANADA. ems into Roman Script for her second collection, subah kaa
Mississauga-Brampton South MP Navdeep Bains acknowl- suuraj ab mera nahii.n hai (Adieu to the Dawn), which was
edged how anxious everyone, himself included, was to released on Sunday.
watch Canada take on the United States, but noted that the Speaking about her poetry, Urdu poetess Nasim Syed who
presence of so many writers, artists and well-wishers from transliterated Meena’s poems into Urdu, said,”She is paint-
the Hindi community and beyond was a sign of support for ing when she writes and she writes when she paints with
the cross-cultural connections Chopra advocates. very powerful imagery”.
Marian Kutarna, Manager History & Art department of the
Mississauga Library System and organizer of this program
stated, “perhaps this was the first multilingual book launch
at a Mississauga library”. She further said, “The sound of
the language is the poetry, the human heart is the same heart
in all of us and that is what we share here today”.
Binoy Thomas, editor Weekly Voice was the “Master of Cer-
emonies” and ably compered the afternoon with his unique
wit & humour.
Art Exhibition has been shifted to Meadowvale Library
Mississauga and will remain there for view till 30th April.
There will be an open discussion on Meena’s poetry on 11th
April 2pm to 4pm in Meadowvale Library organized by the
Library and Hindi Writers Guild. All are welcome. RSVP
meenachopra17@ gmail.com.
Pics by Ben Girn