Author: piyaalibsamanta

“The past isn’t dead and buried. In fact, it isn’t even past.” The history of racial injustice in our country and the chasm of racial divide has deepened further in the last few years. Here in the Bay Area, we do not see it as blatantly as other parts of the country, but it does […]

From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were—I have not seen As others saw—I could not bring My passions from a common spring—From the same source I have not taken My sorrow—I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone—And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone—Then—in my childhood—in the dawn Of […]

San Francisco Bay Area Haze on September 9th 2020 from the Wild Fires.

Her love is like an island in life’s ocean, vast and wide. A peaceful, quiet shelter from the wind, the rain, the tide. It is bound on the north by Hope, By Patience on the West, By tender Counsel on the South, And on the East by Rest. By Unknown Poet

I have had worse partings, but none that so gnaws at my mind still. Perhaps it is roughly saying what God alone could perfectly show –How self hood begins with walking away, and love is proved in the letting go. Poet Unknown

“Your memory grows stronger with every passing year. I wish I could’ve said goodbye, that morning when you left, told you, you were my hero and that you were the best. The years don’t make it easier; they said the pain would go. It seems I’ve just got better not letting my feelings show.” From […]

Shubho Mahalaya 2020. On the dawn of Mahalaya, listening to  Birendra Krishna Bhadra soaring Sanskrit recitation is a Bengali tradition I grew up with. It holds a special nostalgic place in my heart marking the beginning of Durga Puja festivities celebrating the battle of good over evil.  Praying may Devi, Ma Durga heal the earth especially this year […]

PITRU-GAYATRI:- “OM PITRU GANAAYA VIDMAHE… JAGAT DHAARINEY DHEEMAHI… TANNO PITRO PRACHODAYAAT” AVAAHANAM-MANTRA:- “OM AAGACHH-ANNTU ME PITRU EMAM GRIHANTI JALAANJALIM” PITRU-MANTRA:- “OM SARVA PITRU DEVAAYA NAMAHA… TRIPTAYAAMIDAM TILODAHAM –VA – JALAANJALIM… TASMAI SWADHAA NAMAHA… TASMAI SWADHAA NAMAHA… TASMAI SWADHAA NAMAHA…” GAYATRI-MANTRA:- “OM BHUR BHUVAHA SWAAHAA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHEEYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAAT”