Silchar kid Shuktara appears to be youngest published author in Kolkata International Book Fair

//Shinjini Sauhardya//

Silchar kid Shuktara Samkalpa is perhaps the youngest published author of the 46th International Book Fair of Kolkata. Possibly, she is the youngest or at least one of the junior most published authors in English from India now. Three of her poems, along with some stories and other writings has been published by Black Paper, a sister concern of Bengali publisher Chhapakhana, whose anthology on currency and coins named “Ashrafinama” has already attracted the attention of the readers.

Supriyo Tagore, Former Principal of Patha Bhavan and Founder Member of Santinikentan Sishutirtha and Sister Arpita, Principal of Saint Capitanio, Silchar both have written introductions to her book: “Scribbling of Reporter Rodent”. Newsportal Way2Barak.com had published some of her stories and articles including the first one on Greek Mythology when she was only 12-year-old. (Link) Her second write up was on Lord Voldemort, the main villain throughout the entire Harry Potter series under the pen name Reporter Rodent. (Link) That’s why the complete 80-page-collection of her childhood writings has been named “Scribbling of Reporter Rodent”, said Deepayan Dhar, the publisher. He is expecting, Shuktara’s book may evoke interest among school goers’ as well as adults who are interested to understand the creative world of teenage children. The imaginative power, agony and passion of teenage is vibrant in her poems, which is also reflected in the splendid cover by artist Tousif Haque.

The book was officially inaugarated on February 4, at a humble fomal programme in front of Stall No. 646, Chhapakhana Publicat, who is the mother organization of Black Paper. Eminent authors Prativa Sarkar, Ardhendu Shekhar Goswami, Papri Gongopadhyay, Piyali Chakraborty, Prof. Anirban Das (Centre for Social Sciences, Kolkata), and Argha Dutta were present in the programme. Famous Thriller writer Supriyo Choudhury (author of Russian Roulette), author Shakyjit Bhattacharjee, Suparna Chatterjee Ghoshal, Sonali Chanda, Dr Shamita Sinha of Jadavpur University, Barak valley’s eminent film maker and cultural critique Partha Pratim Moitra, were some of the other prominent people who came to purchase Shuktara’s book on the very first evening.

Centre of the atraction of the Book Inaugaration programme was however, two young members of Falsetto Band of Kolkata who are also founder of mental well-being portal Wabisabi, Adira Das and Hridoy Roy Choudhuri. They only unveiled the book together. Both of them are very good friends of our absentee author Shuktara. She couldn’t attend this Book Fair as her final examination of Class IX is starting on the same day at Chandigarh, where she has shifted last May causing much heart break to her friends in Silchar. Till then she was a student of Saint Capitanio Silchar. However, by spirit, she remains a Silcharian, as she confided over phone.
Publisher Dipayan Dhar said that her poems are strong testimony of her exceptional talent in creative writing as well as sensetivity, imaginative power and capabilities as a wordsmith. Black Paper decided to start their journey by publishing a debut Book of a young author. He is sure that Shuktara’s journey as an author will someday make this first baby step a very significant one.

Shuktara’s book will be available in Batayan Book Shop at Goldhighi Mall from 9 February. Also, it can be ordered online through WhatsApp at 8017596954.