Story /poem / interview of the week
FEELING BILL’S ABSENCE
By Swapan K Banerjee
Once, at a Sahitya Akademi Auditorium in Kolkata the renowned professor, poet, translator and publisher P Lal (1929-2010) was being felicitated, where I was present. Delivering his address on the occasion, Prof. Lal spoke candidly, among other things, about his feelings when he received a letter from Nobel Laureate T S Eliot, poet, dramatist and literary critic for the first time.
As I write this, I remember the excitement and thrill I felt when I received a letter from the gifted travel writer Bill Aitken when our maiden conversation was first published in The Sunday Statesman in May 2001. From then on, for almost 25 years, Bill and I exchanged letters and emails till 31 December 2024. A few months on, the Grim Reaper took Bill (1934 – 2025) away.
About Swapan K Banerjee
Swapan K Banerjee is a freelance writer specialising in literary features. Banerjee realised his calling as a writer when the author Ruskin Bond sent his articles and poems to Boston University’s Special Collection Library. His literary write-ups have been featured in several anthologies. Swapan K Banerjee is known for his books Rusty & I: Up-close with Ruskin Bond (RUPA) & People Who Meet People: Interviews with the Stars (Tranquebar).
You got us to open doors which we thought had been rusted shut many years ago.
Hugh Gantzer
Relationships matter for me more than poetry that brought you over to Cuttack. Am grateful for your inherent goodness. That is perhaps why you see the 'good' in others.
Jayanta Mahapatra
I've seen a copy of your interview, which I think is excellent.
David Davidar
Thank you for your kind email and the lovely poem (published in Poetry Society of India). Always follow your dreams and fight for them with faith.
Paulo Coelho
Your articles as always make for interesting reading. Wish you continued success with your lively interviews. You have the knack of elicitating the deeper layer of a writer’s urges. You remain a fond memory to us all.
Bill Aitken from Mussoorie
Thank you for your nice words!
Acclaim from Nobel Laureate Mme Wislawa Szymborska (1996)
Swapan K Banerjee is a Boswell of sorts - a Boswell not just to one writer, such as a Dr. Johnson, but to many men of letters, musicians and others.
Ruskin Bond
You have a keen eye and a voyager's heart. I like your work. You are so attentive. All power to your pen.
I Allan Sealy
