Rupali Kirtanihas combined words with her sketches in her debut book of Konkani poems, ‘Mhajatale Hanv’. It is a compilation ofher feelings in the form of poetry with matching sketches and pictures. Apartfrom doing the cover of her book herself, Rupali has also released a chap bookin English named ‘Wings’. The daughter of Damodar Mauzo, Sahitya Academy Awardwinning writer, Rupali has made her father proud by following his footsteps.
“My sketches add bodyto my poetry”, Rupali expresses aptly. ‘MhajataleHanv’ is her experiment to search her own being within herself. Rupali, 39,had begun expressing herself at a very young age through her personal diaries since1992-93 but never showed her work to her father. Being shy, a young Rupali gavevent to her feelings by scribbling in her diary. It was much later that she showedher first poem to her father. Rupali shares, “This was when I flew to Saudi Arabiawith my husband Samir that I understood what it meant to be a woman, having toleave the home you are born in and accept some unknown’s home as your own aftermarriage”, shares Rupali. She adds, “My poetry changed with age. The subjectsvaried too. Being a woman is a constant transformation of roles, I feel” says Rupalias she turns philosophical.
As a student, Rupaliwas inclined towards fine arts but she opted for the commerce stream. Aftermarriage, she went to Saudi Arabia with her husband where she worked as a teacherfor mentally challenged children. Her various courses in singing, drawing,painting and crafts came handy. “I taught these special kids to draw, to sketch,to paint and craft. It was here that the suppressed artist in me came to the fore”,she says. When the couple moved to Abu Dhabi five years ago, Rupali opted for teachingarts and crafts, which she found fulfilling.
Having releasedher book, Rupali now plans to continue writing, sketching and singing. Acurious Rupali is drawn towards the mysteries of life and wants to learn whatit is to be human. She signs off by saying, “I now wish to discover myself.”
