Spotlight On Writers
Sonali Majumdar
- Where, do you hail from?
I was born in Kolkata, one of the major cities in India. I had the opportunity to live in quite a few beautiful places within India before I came to the U.S. Among the places I have lived in, I would like to mention specifically the industrial township of Ghatsila, where I spent my early life. The picturesque backdrop of hills, interspersed by the beautiful streak of gold, the “Subarnarekha” river had a deep influence on my growing up years. Kolkata came next where I moved back for higher education and I fell in love with the city. After completing my Masters in English Literature, I got married and moved to Richmond, Virginia, where I pursued my M.B.A. degree, and entered the Corporate world later on. Currently, I live in Dallas, Texas, with my husband and two children.
- What is the greatest thing about the place you call home?
“Home”, to me, is not necessarily a physical space, a house, a state or country as such. It is truly where I belong. It could very well be in certain moments when I feel the oneness of a shared existence, of myself with another, be it another person, an object or the Universe itself. It could be in the solitude of a lakeside view; in the cherished memories of my mom’s arms; my children’s laughter; in my beloved’s eyes; my close friend’s heart; an inspirational moment at work; a dreamy state of mind maybe, or at my own backyard, perhaps during a stroll with my Dad; or a certain telephonic conversation with my sister; inside my kitchen cooking for the family or in the coziness of my family room, thanking the Almighty for warmth and laughter in life. The greatest thing about such moments I call “home” is that it brings in soulful experiences and I get to know myself a little better each time.
However, in the physical plane of existence, if I had to call a place my home, Richmond is what comes to mind now. It has perhaps been my longest stay at one single place. The greatest thing about Richmond is that it’s a place I can instantly connect with, because of its natural beauty, due to the people, their warmth, the familiarity of just being there for so long, and all the memories and moments of time spent there, that I cherish in my heart.
- What turns you on creatively?
Solitude is my greatest friend when it comes to writing. It is through a tranquil state of mind that I am able to delve deep inside of my being and bring to surface thoughts and ideas that were born and nourished while traversing through the journey of my life.
- What is your favorite word, and can you use it in a poetic sentence?
My favorite word is ‘Divine‘. Quoting from a personal favorite, I wrote a while back:
If I had to join the dots from
Earth to sky
It would not be a straight line
It would be a strange line
Crooked and zigzag
As is my mind
Partly earthly
Partly otherworldly
Sketching
Back and forth
Striving to
Touch the Divine
- What is your pet peeve?
My pet peeve is when I see people trying to judge others based on their own perceptions, and I cannot do a thing about it.
- What defines Sonali Majumdar?
I do not think anyone or anything can truly define anyone. Life is in moments and it’s changing every second. What we were yesterday, we aren’t today and we can only imagine what we shall be tomorrow. I have always wondered about the Universe and felt intrigued by its dynamics. I feel it’s an entity that breathes and lives and wills at its own. In my own journey of life, I ask myself what my purpose is and I strive to find hope and meaning in the little things in life.
- My Master Taught Me Forgiveness - March 31, 2020
- On Valentine’s Day - February 14, 2020
- Motherhood - January 31, 2020
