On the occasion of the launch of the rare anthology of Gujarati poetry "Gujarati Kavyasamrudhdhi", Dr. Suresh Dalal, along with fellow litterateurs from Mumbai/Ahmedabad, is visiting USA (Philadelphia, Detroit, NY/NJ, Chicago and Boston), Middle East (Muscat, Dubai), UK (London, Manchester, Leister) and Belgium (Anteworp).

Dr. Suresh Dalal’s Boston program is being organized by Chandu Shah and Pallavi Gandhi on Friday September 10th at 8:00 pm at Museum of our National Heritage, Lexington, MA. (on Rte. 2A East). Dr. Suresh Dalal’s program with 3 young and widely published popular poets Hiten Anandpara, Mukesh Joshi, and Ankit Trivedi is been organized only few months after a hilariously entertaining and enlightening program organized by Pallavi Gandhi in April featuring Dr. Raeesh Maniar from Surat, Preetam Lakhlani from Rochester, NY and our own popular Gujarati poet, playwright Chandrakant Shah. This program with Dr. Suresh Dalal and 3 young poets promises to be equally energetic, youthful and enriching. An evening worth attending for anyone who speaks Gujarati.

‘Kavya Samrudhdhi’ is the first ever must have collection of Gujarati poetry, which includes the works of legendary, known, little known and one poetry poet - from the beginning till today, of Gujarati poets living in India and abroad. With a brief introduction of the poets, photographs, signatures of poets and poems in poet's handwriting. It contains 600 pages full of all forms of poetry, Akhyan, Khandkavya, prose poems, Sonnets, Geet, Gazals, Haiku, Short Poems - Muktak, Tripadi etc. from adi kavi Narsinh Mehta till today.

About Dr. Suresh Dalal:

A prestigious and popular Gujarati poet, prolific writer, editor of ‘Kavita’ bi-monthly for 31 years, renowned orator, very well known columnist of ‘Chitralekha’ (Zalak) and ‘Janmabhumi – Pravasi’ (Mari Bariethi), an organizer of outstanding cultural programs in Mumbai, Gujarat and throughout the world.

If one were to search for a name, which is at once respected and popular, in the entire Gujarati literature, especially in the field of poetry and criticism, the name of Dr. Suresh Dalal will automatically find its place amongst the most coveted ones. One would hardly come across an author of repute in any of the fourteen recognized Indian languages who would not be fondly familiar with his name. He has been an indefatigable devotee of poetry for at least twenty-five years. He has a very impressive number of volumes to his credit, which include both the anthologies and the volumes of his own original poems.

Any description of Suresh Dalal must begin with his deep love for poetry. In one of his poems Dalal has said, “Tomorrow is a synonym of God”; with some poetic liberty, one might say that Suresh Dalal is a synonym for love of poetry, a love which is reflected in everything which he does.

Suresh Dalal’s canvas is broad. His deep understanding and patient study of poetry in other languages, both Eastern and Western, coupled with a broad vision and a profound understanding of the human condition, has enriched his observations and writings. This has made his poetry spontaneous and truthful.

Recipient of several awards, he received an award for his contribution as a best teacher from Government of Maharashtra in 1980-81 and the Ranjitram Gold Medal for Creative Writing in 1983.

Widely traveled, he visited the USA in 1978, 1981, 1983 and U.K. in 1981 and 1988 to interview American and British poets.

A strong belief of Dr. Suresh Dalal, on which was laid the foundation of 'Image Publications' established by him in 1995.

About Image Publications: (www.imagepublications.com)

Image Publications is a 'no profit no loss' organization, the main objective being to promote Gujarati literature through cultural programs and other activities. In the process, they aim to take Gujarati book culture to those who are away from their native place but not from their mother-tongue.

"Image is not a one man's caravan," quips Dr. Dalal, "I'm backed by my colleagues and staff members." Image has evolved a unique scheme for spreading book culture with the task of enriching the libraries of Gujarat. The image Book Culture Trust has donated books worth about Rs. 69 lakh to over 6100 libraries in the last five years. The group has approached philanthropic Industry Housed and individuals to for donations.

Image heartily welcomes efforts on the part of Gujarati NRIs in the preservation and propagation of Gujarati Language, their mother tongue. Gujarati NRIs have donated to the libraries of their native place under our book scheme, and in this manner strengthen cultural links with their native place. Just as one donates to hospitals for physical health, one should donate for enrichment of mental-cultural health.

Suresh Dalal retired in 1994 from teaching and his university post of Vice-chancellor. He was now in a position to devote full time to his pet dream of publishing books and spreading book-culture. A good cause always gets support from all sides. Well-known industrialist and a book-lover Navinbhai Dave assured financial support. He and his son Gopal Dave not only gave financial support but also provided infrastructure and office-space so as to put book-publication-activity on a sound footing. This help came as a shot in the arm. Novelist, short-story writer and biographer Mahesh Dave took up the work of looking after administration and distribution from Ahmedabad. Short-story writer and drama-critic Utpal Bhayani accepted the responsibility as financial advisor. Artist and computer technocrat Apurva Ashar has been with IMAGE from the very beginning. Attractive printing and aesthetic appeal of IMAGE-books owe much to him. Later on Hiten Anandpara joined as Manager in Mumbai.

We heartily welcome efforts on the part of Gujarati NRIs in the preservation and propagation of Gujarati Language, their mother tongue. Gujarati NRIs can donate to the libraries of their native place under our book scheme, and in this manner strengthen cultural links with their native place. Just as one donates to hospitals for physical health, one should donate for enrichment of mental-cultural health.

See you on Friday September 10th!

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