An Interview With Author ARDHENDU CHAKRABORTY
Swapna
Peri: Before I start my questions about the book,
can you please tell about yourself? What made you choose the disciplinary path
of yoga and meditation?
Author: My life started when India was still trying to rebuild and there was
still turmoil all around. I started looking for Inspiration from the life of
the great sons of soil. I found the ideology of Swami Vivekanada very thought
provoking. It drew me towards the path of yoga and meditation.
Swapna
Peri: Can you explain to our readers the importance
of yoga and discipline in life? Are there any tools that you would prescribe to
the young readers?
Author: In the fast paced modern time we often tend to neglect the most precious
gift which we have, our body. If we get to keep ourselves healthy and
disciplined many of our woes will get sorted.
I won’t
suggest for any shortcuts. Regular yoga/exercise and balanced diet can keep
your body and mind fit and aligned.
Swapna
Peri: Can you please explain us in short your
mother’s role in inspiring you towards leading a right path in life.
Author: Schooling of a child starts at
home. My mother always ensured that I shouldn’t deviate from a disciplined life
and I was encouraged and supported in my endeavors of learning yoga.
Swapna
Peri: Why did you choose colloquial poetry as a
theme to spread the life story of Swami Vivekanand?
Author:
I was always more
enchanted by the magic of poetry. Be it Rashmirathi (By Ramdhari Singh Dinkar)
or our epic mahakavyas. I felt in a poetic form I would be able to express
myself in a more melodic way.
Swapna
Peri: At what age did teachings of Swami Vivekanand
inspire you? Do you remember a particular incident that inspired you very much?
Author:
As much as I remember from a very tender age
Swami Vivekanda’s teaching inspired me.
Swamiji’s
encounter with RamKrishna Paramhansa and the devotional events which followed
are very inspiring.
Swapna
Peri: Which is the most motivational part in the
book about Swami’s life and why?
Author:
His entire life
was God’s gift to humanity. I have tried to cover them all in my book.
Swapna
Peri: In the era of smart phones and fast life
often everyone forget to live their lives in peace. How much can this book
bring a change in one’s thinking?
Author:
With advancements
in technology we get carried away and tend to forget what we actually want with
our life. Reading about someone as great as Swami Vivekananda can bring the
required calmness to ease out ourselves. I see Swamiji more of a youth icon and
his ideology is still very relevant.
Swapna
Peri: According to me the incident with Kali Maa in
Swami’s life is the most endearing and miraculous. How can you explain the concept
of God and righteousness in this context?
Author:
I can call it
enlightment. We are mere mortals and we often deviate from our actual path. God
is a force which drives us towards righteousness. God provides us that divine
ray when are scared and lost in any dark tunnel.
Swapna
Peri: What other genres of books do you read? Can
you name some of them?
Author: I mostly like to read books on
saints and devotion. I also enjoy reading poetry in it’s various forms. Some of
my favorites are Rashmirathi, Saaket, Vachanamrit, Gitobitan,etc. The list goes
really long.
Swapna
Peri: Who are your favorite authors? How did their
writing help you?
Author: Rabindranath Tagore, Mahadevi
Verma and Jayashankar Prasad are to name a few. The language they used and the
way in which they were able to connect to the masses is worth aspiring for.
Swapna
Peri: Few words to our readers.
Author:
I expect they
would get to know many untouched incidents of Swamiji’s life.
