The emotional transactions and fear of the unknown during the pandemic are aptly portrayed in a one of its kind book of Dr Shalini Gupta Kumar, a renowned Indian poet and artist residing in Muscat who debuted a book documenting her experiences during the quarantine days.
The book which was launched recently with watercolour illustrations consists of 39 poems with corresponding paintings across 80 pages. Each piece reflects her observation of the world around her, from the minute details of people and things in her daily life to profound reflections on human emotions and experiences.
Mohammed bin Issa al Rawahy, an acclaimed curator and artist, translated her emotions in Hindi to Arabic while her friends, wellwishers and others celebrated her artistic journey, which was attended by art enthusiasts and media.
She remembered that many, including her son, have supported her in the long journey by contributing to the collection of poetry.
According to Dr Shalini, she delved into her creative process during quarantine, which was her antidote for tge virus, and emphasising the importance of taking the time to truly observe and reflect. Her vision extends beyond mere publication, she aspires for her book to reach libraries worldwide, in schools and colleges, due to its relatable theme and message that everyone can easily connect with.
Dr Shalini touched upon the humanity side of it by softly touching on the human experience which is evident as she invited readers to order through email, whatsapp or platforms like Amazon, and embrace moments of solitude, find beauty in the ordinary, and discover new perspectives that resonate.
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