“Diving into the Depths of Art and Literature: A Conversation with Kalamayee Smt. Alaka Daspatnaik”
Kalamayee Smt. Alaka Daspatnaik is a multifaceted personality, renowned for her contributions to literature and art. With a career spanning over three decades, she has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, captivating readers with her insightful prose and poignant poetry. Her notable works, including “Gala Dina,” “Amabasya ra Nayika,” and “Chuna Chuna Phula,” reflect her deep understanding of human emotions and experiences.
Beyond her literary pursuits, Alaka Ma’am is also an accomplished painter, indulging in the vibrant hues of her imagination to create captivating visual narratives. Her love for gardening, knitting, and cooking further underscores her diverse talents and interests.
Recognized for her unparalleled creativity and dedication, Alaka Ma’am has been honoured with numerous awards, including the Inspiring Authors Award, Kalamayee, and Kalinga Kavi, Kavi Surabhi, Kusuma Prabha, Kanta Kavi LaxmiKanta, Prakriti Kavi Kuntala Kumari Sabat and many more. Her books have been showcased in prestigious exhibitions like the National Changemakers Exhibition, solidifying her status as a literary luminary.
Driven by a relentless passion for literature and art, Alaka Ma’am continues to inspire aspiring writers and artists alike, embodying the essence of artistic excellence and cultural enrichment.
- How did you embark on your journey as a writer and artist?
Ans. Namaskar. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to reach out to such a large audience. I used to do painting and craft work since childhood. I learnt classical music after my marriage. My father inspired me into gardening since my childhood. Though I had a lot of interest in literature, I never consciously thought of becoming an author. After many years of my marriage, I was inspired to write poetry while observing nature through the kitchen window during cooking and while gardening. I started writing and publishing my books that were widely appreciated. The Odia publishers started reaching out to me for publishing poetries in their magazines and poetry anthologies.
- Can you share with us the inspiration behind some of your acclaimed works like “Gala Dina” and “Anya Akasha”?
Ans. ‘Gala Dina’ is my first published collection of poetry. Gala Dina in Odia means, Of days gone by. As a nature lover, when I would see birds chirping at my kitchen window, poetry in praise of them would flash in front of my eyes. I would write them down on a piece of paper and this collection of poems gradually grew in number to be part of my first collection of Odiya poems ‘Gala Dina’ published in 1997.
Having stayed out of my home state Odisha for such a long time due to the touring job of my husband, I would often feel nostalgic. I expressed my nostalgic feeling through my pen and out came another published poetry collection ‘Anya Akasha’ meaning ‘Another sky’, representing the evening skyline I would see in a foreign land that would remind me of my native.
- What role do you believe literature and art play in society?
Ans. I believe that Literature plays an important role in society as it transcends time and space, connecting people across generations. They help preserve cultural heritage and provide a window to the different ways of life. For me Art is a creative expression offering aesthetic pleasure and representing cultural identity and heritage. That way, I feel blessed to have contributed to the area of literature and art in the last 3 decades.
- How do you balance your various hobbies and interests with your writing and artistic endeavours?
Ans. Apart from writing, I am a Hindi classical singer and a musician. I also love cooking, gardening, and stitching. I still practise harmonium and vocal singing. I am doing crochet stitching nowadays. I am always excited to grow new flowers. I also planted a few vegetables in our small balcony garden. I think the reason I have been doing all this for so many years is my keen interest and enthusiasm. That is what keeps me going.
- Could you tell us about your experience receiving awards such as the Prakriti Kavi Kuntala Kumari Sabat and Kanta Kavi LaxmiKanta?
Ans. Some of the literature legends from Odisha whom I look up to are: Kuntala Kumari Sabat, Gangadhar Meher, Dr. Sitakanta Mahapatra. So, I feel humbled for having contributed to the society and receiving such prestigious awards named on these literature legends from Odisha.
- What advice would you give to aspiring writers and artists who are just starting their creative journey?
Ans. I have been a homemaker which is a 24 x 7 job. However, I kept focus on my writing and singing. I would spare time for my favourite outdoor activity which is gardening.
The message I want to give to the youth is to have faith and patience. Believe in your dreams and work towards them relentlessly.
- What are your future aspirations in the realm of literature and art?
Ans. For me, learning is a continuous process, be it art or literature or even simply cooking. I aspire to learn more in these areas as a continuous process so that I can contribute more to the cultural society as such.
8. As an exceptional poetess , you have written several wonderful Hindi Poems . Please sure one of your poems for our readers.
Ans :
सुर मणि
मस्त गगन मे उड़ती फिरती
डाल डाल मे डोलती रहेती।
पत्तों के पीछे छिपी बेठती
मधुर स्वर मे कु कु गाती ।
सबके मन को लुभाती
वह कोयल ही कहलाती l
आम वकुल के
समय मे वह आती l
छुप छूप कर
सुमधुर गीत सुनाती।
वकुल के महक के साथ साथ
मधुर गुंजन कोयल की
हृदय को छू जाती ।
दिल मे छा जाती
वह कोयल ही कहलाती ।
पुराणों मे वर्णन है
संगीत का पंचम सुर
कोयल से ही आया है ।
संगीत से उसका
अनोखा नाता है ।
उसके मीठे आवाज़ से
सारा संसार मोहित है ।
लेकिन कोयल
अपना गुण ख़ुद नहीं समझ पाती।
अपने काले रूप को
छिपाते रहती ।
ईश्वर ने उसे जन्म दिया
इतना सुंदर गुण दे कर ।
सारा जगत उसे करता है प्यार
पक्षियों में सबसे गुणी
संगीत जगत मैं सुर मणी ।
है तो वह
मन मोहने वाली
कु कु कु कु करने वाली ।
सब कुछ नहीं है रूप सुंदर
अच्छे गुण से ही करता
दुनिया आदर ।
श्रीमती कलामयी अल्का दास पटनायक
