Image Cc children in Malpura Rajasthan reading children book The Princess and the Crow Image of my meeting with Austin Macauley representative at the London Book Fair 2025Meeting with children book publishers at London Book Fair 2025 . Image copyright Image cc. My passion for books at LBF 2025.
My passion for books and for writing once again drove my steps to the London Book Fair at Olympia in London last month.
I was flabbergasted to see the innumerable children books exposed. I met several publishers including the Austin Macauley team and I was curious to know about the future of writers of children books.
I was over the moon to learn from a big children book publisher that ‘ for Austin Macauley to publish your story means that your story is a very good one!’ He wished to remain anonymous because he is a publisher too.
With my book ‘The Princess and the Crow’ I was proud to walk around visiting the book stalls as an author of Austin Macauley.
My Rajasthan friends bought their copy of The Princess and the Crow from Amazon India. I am sharing a photo of village children in Malpura reading a paperback copy.
I am invited by Austin Macauley to submit a new manuscript. It dawned upon me to write unique stories about my childhood.
Why unique? Because each one of us has a unique childhood.
I’m working on a new book for children except that it will take some time to write because of my eyes problems.
LEAVES, A Collection of Haiku, Senryu and Tanka Poems was released in July 2024. It immediately gained a lot of popularity in Kindle Amazon and readers started to purchase the paperback, the kindle and to read for free. I was happy. Readers believe in me and in my work.
At the same time, I was sad. Amazon is not available in my birth country, Mauritius. The only thing I could do was to bring LEAVES to my faithful audience in Mauritius. I did.
Organized in a jiffy, the main hall of Mauritius Gymkhana Club was booked for Wednesday 04 2024. The books were expected to arrive from U.S.A by special delivery on Tuesday 03. Invitations were sent.
The Big Day arrived in a flash.
The hall was packed with keen, enthusiastic guests and my followers on social media.
Welcome address by Mr. Yogen Bacha, Master of Ceremony and laudable words about me, the author and, about LEAVES, my book were a terrific start for the evening. Quote-
‘Leaves’ is a poetic exploration of Nature, seasons and the human experience, blending haiku, senryu and tanka to create a vibrant tapestry of emotion and imagery. This collection is a tribute to the beauty of life’s fleeting moments and a testament to Mrs. Bacha’s mastery of poetic expression.
My colleague at The Bar, Mridula , Govind Nagi, Mr. Mauritius 2024 and others read poems from LEAVES. Applause filled my ears.
Last I picked up the mic to address the audience.
It was a rather long speech interlaced by recital of tanka poems by me.
I have chosen a few excerpts from my speech that may interest you, my dear friends-
‘I started the project of writing a second collection of short poems after the resounding success of my debut anthology of haiku, ‘PINK MOON’. However, the journey was filled with moments of doubts, tiredness, sleepless nights and health problems.’
‘LEAVES is a collection of haiku, senryu and tanka poems that I wrote during the past two years. It is more than just an anthology of short poems of Japanese style in English to me. It’s an expression of thanks to Mother Nature. Leaves come and go similar to the cycle of life and death.’
‘It’s a reflection of the human spirit, our capacity for resilience and, the power of hope in the darkest times.’
‘My readers, both longtime fans and those just discovering my work, this book is for you. Your views, likes, messages and support on the social media, WordPress, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have fueled my passion to write. I hope LEAVES resonates with you and perhaps offers you a new perspective of life challenges just as I have left a piece of myself in every word.
I am signing off with these words ‘This is my last book’.
Anita Bacha
Master of Ceremony, Mr. Yogen Bacha ,F.C.ALaunch of the book Recitals of Short Poems Book signing for Barrister Mridula Cheereemoony
I am glad to announce that I have just added a new release to my repertoire –
LEAVES
It’s a collection of short poems,namely haiku,senryu and tanka written fondly with you in mind.
I picked up my quill after a long illness to compile this collection of haiku, senryu and tanka poems which, has been a major part of my recovery.Writing every day, no thrice a day, is my secret potion. On a naughty note, I wanted to prove to my ophthalmologist that writing won’t make me blind.
What is Leaves about?
Choosing a title for a poetry book is not an easy task especially when it comes to a collection of short poems.
One morning, I was gazing at the overcast sky when a yellow leaf fell at my feet, followed by another, yet another. Deeply marveled and inspired by Mother Nature’s cycle of life, I have named my new collection of short poems, LEAVES. Each poem molded, shaped, colored differently is a leaf from Mother Nature’s Notebook.
This collection of traditional and modern haiku, senryu and tanka is divided in three parts. The first one consists of haiku unfolding the four seasons of the year, starting with summer and ending with winter. The second comprises senryu and, the third and last one includes tanka.
Haiku is a Japanese poem of traditionally seventeen syllables in three, short, unrhymed lines. Nature themes and imagery evoking a specific season of the year are the traditional focus of haiku poetry.
Haiku developed from the hokku, the opening lines of a longer poem known as tanka, an ancient form of poetry that consists of 5 lines in a 5/7/5/7/7 syllables count form. The tanka poem is traditionally about seasons, nature and emotions. Senryu is another short form Japanese poetry similar to haiku in construction with three lines and seventeen syllables count. Senryu, however, tend to be about human foibles; they are often cynical and darkly humorous. Haiku is more serious.
Whereas traditional haiku and senryu poets observe strictly the 5/7/5 syllables pattern, modern poets try different syllables count and formats to achieve a more minimalist style.
Inspired by the magnificent Nippon Maru cruise anchored at the Christian Decotter Cruise Terminal, Mauritius,I penned down the above senryu ( short form Japanese poem) .
Thank you for viewing and for reading, my dear friends.
Photo of Nippon Maru cruise and poem Cc Anita Bacha 2023
Inspired by the magnificent Nippon Maru cruise anchored at the Christian Decotter Cruise Terminal, Mauritius,I penned down the above senryu ( short form Japanese poem) .
Thank you for viewing and for reading, my dear friends.
Photo of Nippon Maru cruise and poem Cc Anita Bacha 2023
Spring is the season we most look forward to in London specially after a rigid and cold winter.The budding of flowers is soothing.The air is full of promises as smiles flower on lifeless faces.Spring is my favorite season of the year, and yours too.
Spring here coincides with Sakura, the blooming of the cherry trees, in Japan. The transient yet lovely blossoms that appeal to the heart of every poet have greatly inspired me too . Enjoy!
I am sharing my haiku ‘The plum tree blossoms’ selected as haiku of the week by Japan Society London on 19/04/22 and two other included in their esteem website
Anita Bacha 