Fairytale

As long as Hope stands, Faith lives.

So does your Fairytale.

~ Suranya

Heart

The deepest secrets of your heart, 

Are usually the things

You don't even admit to yourself.

~ Suranya

Home

How is your home?

I am still looking for it.

~ Suranya

Smell

Some things linger on even after they are over. From the smell of the incense in the peace of the Pandal, which reminded us of all the Pujas that had gone by, making us nostalgic about our childhood and cap guns, to the smell of perhaps that one perfume that reminds us of someone we knew. Then there is the sweet smell of the seasonal flowers that bloom in the autumn, or perhaps a hug from mom that feels like home. Then there is the smell of Biriyani. The one thing that reminds you to screw your diet and will to look good, for five days a year. But then you know it's all over, and you are back to the usual routine of rat race and monotony. But somewhere you still pine for that feeling that seems to be gone too soon. The vibes of positivity and happiness that we wait for throughout the year. Can't we just be that happy all through the year? But then, perhaps we would forget to cherish these precious days.

~ Suranya

Ma Elo Bari

আজ মেঘের সাথে বৃষ্টির আড়ি; 

সিংহ চেপে উমা এল বাড়ি। 

আজ সবাই মিলে আনন্দে মাতার উৎসব, 

ধর্ম বর্ণ আজ তুলে রেখে মুছে ফেল বাস্তব; 

আজ ঢাকের আওয়াজ আর শিউলির গন্ধ, 

মনে ফোটে অফুরন্ত আনন্দ। 

নতুন জামা ভাল খাওয়ার পালা, 

ডায়েট ছেড়ে দাও, এ কি বেকার জ্বালা! 

আলোক পথ আজ শহরের রাস্তায় হৃদস্পন্দন, 

শহরের আজ ঢাকের তালে নাচে মন। 

আজ নীল আকাশে ভাসছে দেখ তুলো, 

ঘরেতে আজ দুগ্গা বুঝি এল।

~ Suranya

A Girl Like Gauri

Gauri was a very beautiful and wise young girl. A perfect combination of beauty and brains. Pampered by her doting father, her mere presence attracted a lot of attention. And like every young girl her age, she dreamt of Love. Gauri was a mere teenager when she first met him. The widower.

The older man. Eyebrows were raised. Questions asked. Why was She trying to in over such a man's broken heart? Didn't She deserve to be someone's first? She had broken the stereotypes by marrying him.

Gauri was strong and independent. She decided for herself. She didn't want a father, brother or husband to protect her. She could do that herself. She fought for her own rights. She made her own rules. She lived life in her own terms. She decided what she wanted to do. Where she wanted to go. She decided to have kids when she wanted. Gauri stood up against the bossy men who dictated the society.

She came home when she wished to. She questioned everything at her own free will. She didn't like being judged. By behaviour or skin colour. She was sometimes the rebellious, fiery girl, a timid wife. She wanted a daughter even after having two sons. She stood by her husband in his decisions and opposed ones she didn't like. She had a voice, the most important one in the family. She balanced work and home. She raised her voice against everything wrong openly.

Now, would you like your daughter to be like Gauri? Living life on her own terms? Daring to be brave? Will you be scared that she can face difficulties in this chauvinist society, so better she doesn't try to match up to them? Will your male ego be bothered if your wife is more successful, your sister more popular, or your mother more ambitious? Don't kid yourself. Of course, it bothers you to bow to a woman. Let her run the home and society.

Now think, what if Himalaya thought so too? What if Shiva thought so? Would we have had a Mahisashurmardini then? Let your Gauri live her life the way she chooses to. Who knows, she can bring the next reform to the world.

~ Suranya

She

 A crowd was gathered, busy making idols of clay; 

She placed her luggage down there, looking for a place to stay.

"Excuse me, can you help me out?"

They scrutinised her in doubt. 

Hair unbound, curls falling back on her waist, 

"Tie it up, good girls don't let their hair loose." They said.

Her skin was dark; she didn't care. 

They told her, "Oh, true beauty is always fair!"

Her attire was short and sassy, 

"Clothes often make a girl easy."

Her opinions strong, her determination fiery, 

"Opinionated feminists are intimidating and scary."

She stood strong, ready to do a man's job. 

"You can't do what nature has decided as a man's work."

She smiled at them, ready to take their leave, 

"Oh, wait, where are you going, giving up so easily?"

She stared back at the idol, almost ready, 

"I will come back in a few days, 

Or when you are less heady anyway."

They frowned at her, got back to work, unaware, 

She was the One, whose idol they painted every year.

~ Suranya

As Long As It Lasts

 What is it in you that I fell in love with?

I can't remember right now.

Perhaps because you and I have had similar lives

Betrayal, loneliness, misunderstanding

Is this how love is supposed to be?

Mundane, stable and unlike the slow-motion drama

Rom coms promise you?

No jitters, no fake promises

No jealousy hidden in the facade of possessiveness,

No entitlement or ownership 

Just companionship with a touch of reality

As long as it lasts?

© Suranya

Yajyaseni

 I rose from fire and fire I am, 

Witness my fight for right 

Against this society and your scam;

Everything you build in pride of might 

All will turn to ashes in my sight.

I stand alone, a pawn in your game, 

Stripped, with all of you to blame. 

Silent, shocked, watching them claim, 

You can now hang your heads in shame, 

But it won't bring back my lost name.

I vow to God that you will pay; 

You who stare at my tears in dismay, 

You thought I would bear your little trick; 

Here I am, a woman and 'weak', 

Lest you forgot, I am Adi Shakti.

Here I am cursing your Virtue, 

And each one who stands today like a statue.

You will compensate for the overdue respect. 

Burn you will, in my flame, 

I will smile and see your end.

~ Suranya

Unchained

 O Night, your wand in a magic spell, 

Remove all pain from my trail, 

In the moonlight, this Fakira walks, 

Towards the heavens and skywards. 

O Divine Light, constellations far,

Show this mortal an illuminated path, 

Let my soul face Judgement Day, 

And finally O finally, free away.

~ Suranya