Pt. Gyandeo Persad, a Director of SWAHA and Principal of SWAHA Hindu College, has been writing poems and articles, songs and books in English and Hindi for many years. His latest work, ‘Thirteen stories And Sixteen Poems’ is a compilation of stories and poems that examine the universal themes of love, death, family life, infidelity, the occult, nature, God, and religious prejudice, and is a fitting tribute to our ancestors as we celebrate Indian Arrival Day.
Set to the background of the history of Trinidad and India, these themes have been exemplified in some incidents narrated by the Shankaracharya of SWAHA, the late Pt. Hari Prasad. Other stories deal with the cultural experiences of the first generation of the indentured labourers and are highlighted through the various incidents which are portrayed in a humorous yet serious manner and also infusing the philosophy and practices of the contemporary Hindu society in such a way so as to promote a harmonious population of Trinidad and Tobago.
The writings are so structured so as to provide the avid reader with exciting stories and poems; the secondary school students with the satisfaction of cannily imaginative stories and poems while simultaneously fulfilling the requirements of academia; the tertiary level students with a platform for thesis materials and for the philosopher – an invaluable insight into the nature of man’s existence in this world. A most useful appendix listing is found at the end of the book, with translation of Hindi and Trinidadian terminology used in the writings.
This unique collection of literary pieces is indeed a rare treat for all. The publication is dedicated to the author’s parents, Shankaracharyaji and Mataji Shrimati Chandrawati Prasad. They are available at Bina’s Puja Store, Mowlah Road, Aranjuez at a cost of TT$100.00 or at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Stories-Sixteen-Gyandeo-Persad/dp/1434966178). Alternatively, orders can be made through Pt. Persad himself at 471-1617.
