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Malabika Ray Choudhury Biography

Reading and Creative Writing are my passions from a very young age. After spending many years of teaching as my profession, finally I am devoting myself to my passions - Poetry, Singing, and Art. I also write short stories, long stories, memoirs, cooking diary...and work on translations of poems from my home-language, Bengali, a regional language in India.

My early years were spent in India, and some later years in the Middle East - finally settled in Toronto, Canada. Writing comes first, but I also learn, practise and enjoy music and art. I am an avid reader from my early childhood - read both classic and modern writers - from Iliad, Odyssey and Shakespeare to P.G. Wodehouse, to Elena Ferrante and Kazuo Ishiguro. The book which is always on my desk is Gitanjali, the collection of spiritual songs by Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel-laureate Poet of India.

Poetry is an expression of thoughts, feelings and reflections. Some of my unique life-experiences get expressed in my poems and short stories. I attempt to express my reflections and thoughts with creativity and depth - poetic flow and elegance are my goals. At present I am working on a memoir which covers my family's history and my life in three different countries with rich and varied cultures.

I write equally in two languages - in English, and in Bengali, which is a regional language in the eastern part of India. I have translated a few famous Bengali poems, mainly by Rabindranath Tagore and Jibanananda Das, in English. My book of translation is available on amazon, being published in August, 2023. In the beginning of 2023, I also wrote a short novel in Bengali, called "Pahar Amay Dake" - it would be "Mountains are calling me" in English. This book has been published in Kolkata, India, by Karukatha Publishers, on my birthday in 2023.

I create videos with my own poems and poems by famous writers, and also create audio-books from English and Bengali literature... created my own channel on You Tube, and uploaded a few songs, rendered by myself.

Channel URL for You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCSzp2aCxzDkxInuHkVU37g

I work on a few forms of rare art - eggshell decorations, copper-tooling and batik are some of them.

Here are the links to my translations of Rabindranath Tagore's Poems:

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/finally_saved_part_1_-_translation_from_rabindranath_tagore_1403729 (Finally Saved - Part 1)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/finally_saved_part_2_-_translation_from_rabindranath_tagore_________________1403737 (Fianlly Saved - Part 2)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/finally_saved_part_3_-_translation_from_rabindranath_tagore__1403738 (Fianally Saved - Part 3)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/freed_from_my_shackles_-_translation_from_tagore_1396721 (Freed From My Shacles)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/_deception_part_1_translation_from_tagore_1346222 (Deception - Part 1)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/deception_part_2_-_translation_from_tagore_1346223 (Deception - Part 2)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/two_birds_-_translation_from_tagore_1334349 ( Two Birds)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/banalata_sen_-_translation_from_bengali_poem_1316959

(Banalata Sen)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_invention_of_shoes_-_part_1_-_translation_1281715

(Invention Of Shoes - Part 1)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_invention_of_shoes_-_part_2_-_translation_1281717

(Invention Of Shoes - Part 2)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/_sleeping_beauty_-_translation_from_tagore_1264205

(Sleeping Beauty)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/_an_ordinary_girl_-_translation_from_tagore_1259833

(An Ordinary Girl)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/camellia_-_part_1_translation_from_tagore_1349292 (Camellia - Part 1)

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/camellia_-_part_2_translation_from_tagore_1349295

Below is a link to my YOU TUBE Channel. You may subscribe to this channel, where I post recitation of my poems, poems from Rabindranath Tagore, and also songs (rendered by myself) composed by Tagore. Please click on my picture at the bottom of the video - you will find my channel. Channel URL is at the bottom of this post.

Channel URL for You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/@raymalabika

handle: @raymalabika

This link will take you to my channel on YOU TUBE

https://youtube.com/user/raymalabika

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Love To Share

Blog Posted by Malabika Ray Choudhury: 9/3/2022 6:03:00 PM

Dear Soupers,

Summer is almost over in Canada, although I welcome my favourite season, Fall, with all its splendour of colourful waltzing, whispering leaves. PoetrySoup is as busy as usual - thoughtful poems, clever poems, emotional- lyrical poems, joyous poems, nature poems.. are all blooming in this garden of creative energy.

I would like to share my excitement with my friends here about a project I have embarked on, recently. My home-language is Bengali, a regional language from the eastern part of India, and I am quite fluent in that language. I have translated some long poems from Rabindranath Tagore, the nobel-laureate poet from India, and other famous poets, and posted them on my page at PoetrySoup.

This time I have taken up a new venture - I have started writing a short novel in Bengali, in the format of a memoir , and am posting a chapter each week on a social media page. I haven't written anything in that language for a very long time - so I was hesitant in the beginning, and was not sure if this would work!

I am feeling wonderful to let you know that so far it is working! I don't feel any language barrier, the fluency hasn't disappeared! This is why very recently I am not posting poems at Soup as many as I did for the last two years. This project may take a few months...the final goal is publishing it. There are some historical elements in this writing...history of India after the Partition in 1947, and the history of my family leaving all their land and property and immigrating to a new country due to that devastating event.

I was born after Partition...so it did not directly affect me, but there were lots of sad memories and struggles for my parents and grandparents, which my story is based on. The main character who is telling the story, is dealing with a serious deformity from birth. There are also accounts of a journey to a pilgrimage to the mountainous regions of snow-capped Himalayas.

Glad to share my excitement! Hope I am able to complete the project I started.

Best wishes to you all,

Malabika

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Tania
Kitchin

Date: 9/8/2022 4:12:00 AM

Mala, exciting news, best of luck with your new project, thanks for sharing!

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/8/2022 6:07:00 AM

Thank you so much, Tania. It is pure joy to read beautiful poetry at this site, and get to know all the gifted poets who are so inspiring and encouraging to each other. Hope my project goes well...hope I can complete it in a few months. I will be less active, but I will be here enjoying the blissful company of talented poets. Love and blessings ~ Mala

Michael
Tor

Date: 9/8/2022 12:26:00 AM

Many well wishes Mala. You are missed here on the Soup but we will wait patiently in your completion of your commitments. Wish you determination and a sound mind to achieve all you wish to accomplish. I know you will do extremely well. God bless you and take care...

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/8/2022 6:02:00 AM

Dear Michael, so good to hear from you. I will be here, Michael - this is where I enjoy expressing my thoughts, and this is where I learn. I will be a bit less active here..completing the story might take a few months. I am blessed to have love and good wishes from everyone at this site - that's pure joy! Thank you, Dear Friend, thank you. Love and blessings ~ Mala

Sam
Kauffman

Date: 9/7/2022 12:38:00 PM

What wonderful news Mala! I am so excited for you and for your project and wish you every success. You are a treasure here on the soup and a precious friend! Like Linda, I have read some your translations and they are amazingly beautiful! Know you remain close in thought and prayer. Please keep us informed of your progress! Blessings dear friend!

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/8/2022 5:57:00 AM

Thank you so much, Dear Sam. I can't believe, in last two years I was fortunate to find so many poet-friends at this site, and I have learned so much from all of you. You all are gifted, you are passionate, and above all you are wonderful friends who are encouraging and inspiring to each other. I read all your poems, enjoy and learn. I am quite fluent in the language I grew up with, and decided to jump in a new adventure. So far the progress is good..each week I am writing a chapter, and getting prepared for the rest. It's a real emotional journey - with the country I was born in, my family, and their struggles, and successes. I will carry your blessings every step of the way. Love ~ Mala

Linda Alice
Fowler

Date: 9/6/2022 9:40:00 AM

That is uplifting and hopeful news Mala. I have read your translations here on PS and was enamored. I pray everything goes well with you in this next endeavor. Linda

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/6/2022 2:28:00 PM

Dear Linda, Your comments inspire me. I have done translations of long poems before - so glad to know you read them. This new project is writing a story (based on real life) in Bengali. The materials are mostly memories, blended with some imaginative elements - there are some historical elements too. I will treasure the blessings from my dear friends at PoetrySoup on my journey. Love and blessings ~ Mala

Constance
La France

Date: 9/6/2022 7:37:00 AM

Mala, congratulations on your new project, it sounds very difficult but rewarding, seems to me sweet lady you have a lot of projects. I find that quite wonderful and inspiring. I really like your art wow, amazing, God Bless ~

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/6/2022 2:22:00 PM

Dear Constance, thank you so much. Over the last few years, we have come to know each other, and I believe, we have a lot in common. The project is extremely rewarding for me, so I am ready to spend the time and energy it needs. The story is based on real life - so I am thinking about it day and night. The start has been good - I am happy with the first nine chapters I have posted. The title is "Mountains are Calling" (in Bengali), so there are descriptions of trekking adventures on mountains of Himalayas. I am very excited! Your inspiring comments are precious to me. I am so glad you liked the art. I have done eggshell craft and batik painting before, but I have started painting nature recently. Love ~ Mala

Robert
Lindley

Date: 9/5/2022 8:18:00 PM

Huge congratulations on your epic quest to save and present so much to so many. I believe God shall bless you for your ambition, gifts given and decication to pas on much to others. Always a worthy goal my friend. Surely great success and contentment shall come your way for the magnificent effort made! God bless..

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/6/2022 2:13:00 PM

Thank you so much, Robert. Your comment is magically uplifting and inspiring! I am midway in the project - posted the ninth chapter of the long story - my goal is twenty-five. it's going to take a few more months, but I have prepared myself for a few years, hopefully I can complete it. I will keep my poet-friends posted - all of you are my inspiration. A huge thank-you to you. Blessings ~ Mala

Beata
Agustin

Date: 9/5/2022 1:39:00 AM

Congrats! It's my prayer that you will complete your project. God bless you.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/5/2022 4:20:00 AM

Thank you, Beata. What a loving person you are - I will treasure the best wishes from you and from all my friends at Soup. This project is really important for me, and my family. Love ~ Mala

Beryl
Edmonds

Date: 9/4/2022 7:10:00 PM

Exciting for you Mala, I wish you success in your new venture… Belle

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/5/2022 4:17:00 AM

Thank you, Belle. Yes, it is exciting for me, a little bit intimidating too. I am mid-way in the work (finished posting 9 chapters)…has planned 25 chapters for now. Really appreciate your kindness. I have my Soup-friends to give me inspiration. Love ~ Mala

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 9/3/2022 11:50:00 PM

Wow, Mala , what a huge but important undertaking that is. I wish you the best of luck.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/4/2022 5:08:00 AM

Thanks, Andrea. Yes, it’s a huge undertaking, but I was getting prepared for a few years. I wrote a lot of pages in English thinking that my children and grandchildren (who are fluent only in English) might read some day, but now I have decided to give it a try in the language of the country where my story has its roots. Love ~ Mala

Edward
Ibeh

Date: 9/3/2022 7:29:00 PM

I wish you the best of luck with your novel, Mala:-) I'm sure it will be a smashing success. Do let us know how it's going from time to time. Godspeed! xoxo

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/3/2022 7:39:00 PM

A smashing success! Oh no, I am not hoping that much, Edward! I am feeling great to be able to write it - a lot of memories needed to be brought to light - I owe it to my family! Good news is - I got some followers - they are actually reading the story, and waiting for the next chapter. Yes, I would be happy to let you guys know how the project is going! Thanks, Edward, for your inspiring words.

L Milton
Hankins

Date: 9/3/2022 6:21:00 PM

Best wishes to you, Mala, on this new adventure, for which I believe you are superbly qualified to write. We'll miss you while you are preoccupied. Keep us up on how it goes.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 9/3/2022 6:28:00 PM

Sure, Milton. Thanks so much for the good wishes. I am here, and I will be here..probably not participating in too many contests!