Scent of Rain- Remembering Jayanta -Edited by Ashwani Kumar
Scent of Rain is a remarkable book of tributes to the late poet Jayanta Mahapatra. One can easily feel the genuine sensitivity and the abiding passion of the poet Ashwani Kumar who has displayed so much dedication, affection, commitment and passionate intensity in the compilation of this marvelous book of tributes. The cover in black and white with the prophet- like Jayanta Dada in relief perfectly suits the book and initiates the sombre mood of the book of memories. Alongside many of the poems are vivid pencil sketches and poignant black and white photographs of the poet during the many creative phases of his life. Poems by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra ‘ My house luminous, my day turned to ash’ penetrates the reading self. Geetha Ravichandran’s, 'There’s s price to be paid after every sunset’ or Durga Panda's 'This bone wagon of a body slowing down to a screeching halt’ to mention just a few, deepen the mood of mystery of Scent of rain, where every poem is a tear drop over the now vacant Tinkonia Bhagicha.
