Indian teenager takes Nigerian poetry scene by storm - Launches Netted Shadows

By Adewale Oshodi - Updated: Tuesday 03-11-2009

Neelanja Shakya with her parents,
during the launching of her book.

Indian teenager, Neelanja Shakya, has launched her maiden poetry compilation, Netted Shadows, at an event where people from all walks of life gathered to give the 17-year-old the moral support.

The event, which took place at the Muson Centre, Lagos, on October 16, 2009, had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sara Sosan, who was represented by Mr. Tunde Awobiyi, and Mrs. S. Hatiramani, who represented Mr. Ramesh Hathiramani, Chairman, Dana group of companies.

Both acted as chief launchers of the poetry book. The occasion was graced by the Indian Diaspora in Nigeria, government dignitaries, notable writers, business people, among whom were the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo; Dr. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Ibadan; Mr. Imo J. Itsueli, Chairman, Nigeria-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI); Dr. Musa Elakama, Assistant DG, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr. Raj Kumar, Head of Chancery, High Commission of India, Lagos; Dr. Mrs. Suman Kanwar, Principal, Indian Language School, Lagos, among others.

While speaking at the event, Dr. Ademola Dasylva recommended that the book be included in the curriculum for the secondary school students in the country, as this would encourage our young generation into taking literary issues very seriously.

Dr. Dasylva also said that Neelanja’s poetry compilation brings about another milestone in the Nigeria-India bilateral relations.

In his congratualtory message to the teenage poet, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who said he regretted missing the launching of Neelanja’s maiden publication, however, wished her well, saying he hoped she would one day take part in the famous Ubud Literary Festival in Bali, Indonesia, where eminent poets and writers attend to read their works. Some of Neelanja’s works have been published in several Nigerian newspapers and have attracted vast readership and positive literary criticisms.

Earlier, the poems have been reviewed by experts who praised her for fascinating vivid imagination.