Lonesong Street and A Stranger Called I author Pritish Nandy presented his new book Again at Mumbai's Crossword Thursday night and longtime fan and friend Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was there to support the journalist and poet.
And he needs it! The author of Again told reporters that if people don't read poetry it's because publishers aren't doing their job! "You cannot judge a reader. It is the writer and publisher's job to persuade the reader to take to reading. If your book is not being read, you better chase or change the publisher," he told PTI.
"I think everyone should read and write poetry. Poetry is living. It is discovering yourself. If you have not written poetry, it means you have not discovered yourself. We need to go beyond the boundaries of academia. Poetry should attempt to discover a connect with the people. It should be fun and should not be just for examination purpose as done in schools," he added.
Ash went on to read excerpts from the book and the evening was an instant success! But success is not something Pritish Nandy looks for, he is happy letting it come to him naturally, if at all. "I do not chase success. I chase excellence in whatever I do, be it writing, making movies or anything else. I have never followed success. Success follows me. If you chase Saraswati, Laxmi comes along," Mr. Nandy told PTI.
And he means it; it's been about 20 years since Pritish Nandy has written poetry so he does takes his time! "It was only because of constant nudging of noted poet Gulzaar that I have taken to poetry again," he said.
So check out our pics of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan presenting Pritish Nandy's new book Again at Mumbai's Crossword Thursday night and share your thoughts; would you listen to Ash read poetry?
