When Bashabi Fraser, a noted scholar, poet, and professor received the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) she was nothing short of being ‘astounded’. Despite her shock at receiving one of the highest honours awarded in the UK, those who knew her were hardly surprised. The author of 23 books and scores of academic and creative publications, Fraser had already made an impact on the lives of readers and scholars. That was in 2021. Now, two years later, she is back with her latest publication, Habitat, a volume of poems that explores, as the title suggests, the idea of one’s habitat.

At the latest session of An Author’s Afternoon, organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation at Taj Bengal, in association with Shree Cement Limited, with My Kolkata as the digital partner, Fraser discussed her life’s biggest influences, treating human beings with humanity and more with Debanjan Chakrabarti, director, British Council East and Northeast India.

‘I’ve never felt the restrictions of patriarchy because of baba’

Debanjan Chakrabarti (left) in conversation with Fraser

Speaking of the four most important men in her life, Fraser noted that her father emboldened and inspired her to achieve whatever she wanted to. “My father, who’s presently 92, is a feminist. So, I’ve never felt the restrictions of patriarchy because of baba. He continues to be my inspiration because, at 92, he’s still writing. Right now, he’s writing on climate change. He is very gentle. He has no male ego. He has no temper,” said Fraser. Her husband, Neil, also did not have the trappings of an egotistical male and was far removed from the “macho man” stereotype. His modest and kind nature was what drew her towards him.

But the person who had the most influence on Fraser during her childhood was her parents’ friend, Julain Dakin, who was a British Council officer at that time. Dakin was responsible for Fraser’s early interest in literature as he often brought her books of poetry and encouraged her creativity. When asked about the mystery fourth man, Fraser grinned ear to ear before answering: “My grandson.” She also added an anecdote about her grandson much to the delight of the audience.

On Tagore and Geddes

Fraser’s books, A Confluence of Minds: The Rabindranath Tagore and Patrick Geddes Reader on Education and Environment and A Meeting of Two Minds: Geddes-Tagore Letters, detail the wonderful relationship that the two polymaths shared. Fraser believes that Patrick Geddes should be especially remembered not just because of his close association with Tagore but also because of his respect and adoration for India. “He (Geddes) believed in interdisciplinary education and sustainable architecture, among other things. He couldn’t stay but he sent his son, Arthur Geddes, a geographer, to Santiniketan. We need to resurrect him because he was socially progressive and had a lot of respect for India at the grassroots level. Geddes was a social scientist, a liberal humanist and a nature lover,” added Fraser.

‘Every human being should be judged for being a human being and what they can bring to society’

Fraser reads from her latest book, ‘Habitat’

On what she thought of migration and the immigration policies of different countries, Fraser said: “I don’t believe in walls or barriers. Interestingly, we talk of immigrants as if they’re criminals. But humans have been migrating since time immemorial. So, why are we criminalising immigrants today? Why are we destroying their croplands, changing the climate, destroying their forests? Why do we take the water from Palestine and build a green Israel and then wonder why the Palestinians want to leave? Religion should never be the basis of belonging. Every human being should be judged for being a human being and what they can bring to society. I think that immigrants build countries. Who is the West to stop immigrants? They all have their settler colonies,” she concluded.

The session came to a close with a Q&A session with the audience and with the felicitation of the guests by Deb Narayan Bandyopadhyay. Sangeeta Datta, Ehsaas Woman of London, delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the Foundation.

Guests speak

Sangeeta Datta

“This evening was particularly eventful because of the close connection between me, Debanjan and Bashabi di, since we all come from Jadavpur University and from the same English department, too. Even though Bashabi di is my senior, I’ve been in touch with her because I’ve been living in the UK and I’m familiar with the brilliant work that she is doing. I was also delighted with the new group of people that has come here for An Author’s Afternoon. I always have one foot here in Kolkata and the other in London. It’s the best of both worlds!”

— Sangeeta Datta, Ehsaas Woman of London

Parbati Gupta

“Bashabi is a good friend of mine. I’m the secretary of the Dancers’ Guild and Bashabi’s connection to the Guild spans over two generations. Her parents were the founder presidents of the Guild. Our friendship grew deeper when I went to Scotland. She is always supportive of our events. She is our pride and I’m grateful that I was invited for this event.”

— Parbati Gupta, secretary, Dancers’ Guild

Goutam Dey

“I was fortunate to hear Bashabi talk about different aspects of her life. We can all learn from her tremendous achievements. If we can follow in her footsteps then, perhaps, we’ll find more people wanting to take up creative professions among the Bengali community. People like her encourage Bengalis to learn more about their culture.”

— Goutam Dey, director, Indian Council of Cultural Relations

Deb Narayan Bandopadhyay

“I have known Bashabi di for more than 20 years. I could see in one evening her growth and development as a creative individual. I particularly enjoy reading her poems. I would love to join more such events in the future.”

— Deb Narayan Bandopadhyay, professor

K. Mohanchandran

“I thought this was a set of wonderfully direct poems by the author, carrying a very positive note in them, too.”

— K. Mohanchandran, senior vice president of operations, IHCL