YouTube Premiere 'SHINING CANADA' - Video Poem Film by Meena Chopra

IT IS AN ONLINE EVENT. YOU MAY ACCESS IT ON YOUR DEVICE.

Let us celebrate Canada with a poem.
Premiere on YouTube at 9AM Canadian Time 1st July 2022. Run time 4 minutes 13 seconds

You may go to the premiere link as below and press the bell icon to receive the notification for the event.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/5BdAsdhD5Ck
FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1662603554104372

 

 

Ask A Historian: Spend the Holidays Wrapped in Heritage

Ask A Historian: Remembering the Whitehead Brothers of Malton December 16, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Join Historian Matthew Wilkinson for Ask A Historian on December 16, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. on our YouTube channel. This week Matthew welcomes Samantha Thompson, Archivist at Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives (PAMA), as they explore the fascinating history of the Whitehead brothers who served in the First World War. Samantha discusses the journey she had taken to research the story of these three brothers and their different experiences while serving during the First World War.

Paramount Kicks off Holiday Campaign with Giving Tuesday initiative

Paramount Kicks off Holiday Campaign with Giving Tuesday initiative

For every purchase of $50, 1 lb of food will be donated to communities in need 

TORONTO, ON — Paramount Fine Foods is spreading holiday cheer this season by giving the gift of generosity. The restaurant chain will kick off the holiday season with its first charitable initiative on November 30—Giving Tuesday. 

From the Ashes Art Exhibition is NOW OPEN at Beaux Arts Brampton

StarBuzzOnline 

 

Stratford Festival announces 2022 season

10 productions in four theatres

Tickets on sale to Members March 6; Box office opens to the public March 18

November 23, 2021… In 2022, the Stratford Festival is coming back big to mark a monumental moment in its history with a full repertory season running from early April to the end of October, 10 major productions and almost two hundred Meighen Forum events.

It will be a milestone season in many respects. "Next year we celebrate our 70th season, the 20th anniversary of the Studio Theatre, the 10th Meighen Forum season and the grand opening of our glorious new Tom Patterson Theatre. But most of all we celebrate a new beginning," says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, pointing to the theme of the season.

"For thousands of people, coming to the Stratford Festival is an annual pilgrimage," he says. "By the time they arrive to see the shows of our 2022 season, it will have been three years since most of them have set foot in one of our theatres. We want their return to be everything they hope for. We want them to feel safe, of course, but we also want to fill the void left by the absence of live theatre and communal activities.

"The plays in the 2022 season contain not only new beginnings but the difficult moral and ethical decisions a new journey entails. What is the best way to start again? How can we avoid the traps of the past? In an imperfect world, what is good?"

Book Launch “Empress” by Ruby Lal

 

Canadian Community Arts Initiative is pleased to present Ruby Lal for a book reading session, in collaboration with University of Toronto Mississauga. Her much acclaimed new book “Empress” is a biographical account of Empress Nur Jahan of India. The only woman ruler in the long dynasty of India’s Moghuls, Nur Jahan, the 20th wife of Emperor Jahangir and his co-ruler, was 34 and a widow when they married in 1611. She was, Lal writes, “a wise and just queen, a shrewd politician, and an expert markswoman”. She hunted and killed tigers and led men into battle. She is immortalised in a portrait loading a musket. Upon the death of the emperor in 1627 his son, Shah Jahan, wrested power from her and wrote her merits out of history (she had transgressed traditional rules against women being involved in “matters of government and sovereignty”). Lal’s intriguing biography, with its chronology of Nur’s relatively swift rise to power and even swifter descent, restores Nur Jahan to her full splendour. 

The event takes place on Friday 15th of February, 2019 at the Rotunda theatre at the UTM campus at 6 pm. Moderated by Luther Obrock,Associate Professor of History and Religious studies at UTM, where the author Ruby Lal uncovers the rich life and world of Nur Jahan, rescuing this dazzling figure from patriarchal clichés of romance and intrigue, and giving new insight into the lives of women and girls in the Mughal Empire.

In Empress, Nur finally receives her due in a deeply researched and evocative biography that awakens readers to a fascinating history

 

“Lal has done a service to readers interested in the Mughal period and the many forgotten or poorly remembered women of Indian history. She has helped shine a little light on an enigmatic character many think they know but few actually understand,” Vikas Bajaj writes in a review published in the New York Times

 

Canadian Community Arts Initiative:

Is a non for profit organization promoting art and culture in Canadian community since 2005. CCAI is well known for its TD Mosaic Festival, Rock the Coliseum Independent Music Festival and MISAFF film festival. The organization has earlier presented William Darlymple’s book launch at Agha Khan Museum in Toronto.

 Author Bio:

Ruby Lal:

Ruby Lal is an acclaimed historian of Mughal India. Her previous books are: Domesticity and Power in the Early Mughal World (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2005), which won much acclaim, including numerous reviews in major international magazines, such as The New York Review of Books, The Economic and Political Weekly, Revue Historique, and The Times Literary Supplement. Her second book, Coming of Age in Nineteenth Century India: The Girl-Child and the Art of Playfulness (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2013) was reviewed extensively in academic journals and magazines with wider intellectual concerns. Her short stories have appeared in Indian Literature and in The Little Magazine. She teaches at Emory University and divides her time between Atlanta and Delhi.StarBuzzOnline

Featured poets: Meena Chopra & Casey Garcia at Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) LXIX)

Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) is Toronto’s most diverse and brave poetry reading and open mic series

At Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) we don’t just wait for diversity to happen: we actively invite it.
Please spread the word through social media and any other way you know. Let our event become as diverse as we are.

Featured poets: Meena Chopra & Casey Garcia
Host: Bänoo Zan & Terese Pierre

Time: Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Place: Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2M7
Main Hall

Doors open 6:15 p.m.
Open-mic sign-up 6:30 p.m.
Show 7 p.m.

Admission: $5

Casey Garcia is a rare breed if artist. A young but seasoned performer. He matches his lyrical skill with engaging, high-energy stage presence that could potentially raise people from the dead. A walking and talking masterpiece roams among the millennial drones that occupy the city of Toronto.
Casey Garcia
FB: Casey Garcia
Twitter: CxseyGxrcia
Instagram: CxseyGxrcia
Soundcloud.com/CxseyGxrcia
Bandcamp.Caseygarcia.com

Meena Chopra is an internationally known award winning 'poet & visual artist' with an unbridled passion for words, space, colours and forms. Born and brought up in Nainital, a Himalayan hill city of Northern India, now lives in Mississauga, Canada. After having a career as a designer for seven years with a couple of leading garment firms in India, she later switched to fine arts and poetry, simultaneously pursuing her career in marketing and advertising as an entrepreneur. She is a qualified artist educator and a graduate in science. Primarily a self taught artist, she informally got trained and mentored under master artists of India. She has been professionally practising fine arts since 1985 and writing poetry since 1992. Meena writes both in English and her ethnic language Hindi and has three poetry collections published so far. She has also co-edited "RANG AUR NOOR"(Colour and Radiance) an anthology reflecting the Hindi and Urdu poetic talent of Canada. Her poetry has been translated into German and Urdu languages.
Her latest book "SHE! The Restless Streak" has recently been released in Mississauga Central Library along with her thematic art exhibition on the same subject. This book is a coffee table edition and features her art and poetry both dealing with female abstract energy. Meena has exhibited her art widely in many countries and has been on the board of many art, culture and literary organizations.
She has been also publishing a popular ethnic news weekly from GTA called StarBuzz and hosting a musical show at 1320 AM called Radio Shehnai for many years. She has also been running an after school tutoring centre till 2012 in Mississauga
She can be reached on the following
website: https://www.meenachopra-artist.com/

Facebook: @SheTheRestlesStreak
Twitter: @meenachopra
Facebook Page: @meena.chopra.artist

FaceBook ID: @meenachopra
Instagram: meena_artist_author
YouTube: Meena Chopra

Shab-e She’r strongly supports diversity, inclusion and courage in our line-up of features as well as our open mic participants. We have been doing that since our inception (Nov. 2012) without compromising freedom of expression.
Tranzac Club is an accessible venue with no stairs (aside from the stage) and they have two accessible gender neutral washrooms.
Twitter: @BanooZan & @ShabeSherTO
Instagram: @banoo.zan

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: www.meenachopra-artist.com
StarBuzzOnline

Meena Chopra’s Book Launch & Art Exhibition @TAGTV Special Report …

StarBuzzOnline

Proud to support the community of Mississauga

StarBuzzOnline

BEATING THE DIGITAL AUTO-TUNE ERA OF SINGERS

CANADA, MAY 15, 2018 : A decades long commitment to honing her craft through dedication and perseverance is the ultimate reason behind Shobha Shekhar’s outstanding talent and abilIty. Had it not been for the keen eye and ears of her parents, she would not have begun her formal lessons at the precocious age of three! Having said that, formal training and riyaaz alone are not what makes an artist resonate with an audience! Shobha has worked tirelessly to bring a very traditional art form to a modern audience in an engaging manner a fact that is not easy in the digital, downloadable, auto-tuning era. As an artist, Shobha has had several opportunities to mentor and educate upcoming talent through her various assignments from being in the panel of judges at prestigious music competitions such as CMR Star fest, Super Singers music competition, Indian Idol singing contest and others, she has also been recognized for her contributions to the performing arts and singing with accolades and awards in 2016. This does require true commitment and grit to overcome constant obstacles as well as detectors. Shobha is one of the few artists, in a sea of talent within the South Asian community in Canada, who has experienced performing on a world platform. Shobha has completed over 400 concerts, in addition to lending her voice to several private albums and product commercials in India and Canada. her recent singles "Raahein”, produced here in Canada by Awaazein, almost mimicking her own journey to musical success as well as a beautiful Ghazal, Halat Ye Hai, speaks about her
versatile singing abilities She has also strived relentlessly to create and educate masses through her own music concert compilations in the North Americas - ie, Melange, a fusion project to explore her knowledge and exposure to the various genres of music, as she conceptualized and compiled the presentation content of this concert, She has also collaborated with many veteran musicians and symphony bands across Canada and The Americas as well has shared stage with prolific musicians and singers from the bollywood industry. Most recently, Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai, a tribute concert for India’s original nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar, took place on April 21, 2018 at the Aga Khan Centre in Toronto. The concert, organized by Manoj and Sonia Singh of Devsaiadi, helped to raise funds for Shivas, a non-profit organization that helps children with autism. The timelessness and crystal clear clarity of Shobha’s voice left the audience mesmerized, leaving everyone of all ages
speaking, understanding and communicating in the synchronous voice of music. The audience was transported; swaying to the beat as each toe-tapping note resonated, fondly jogging memories of the Divas of Indian music history. Shobha’s ability to sing in numerous regional languages, English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi, and Telugu allows for true versatility. This is truly a talent that many aspiring artists dream to attain. Be sure to watch out for this amazing performer as she prepares once again for several high profile summer festivals across the GTA. ABOUT GTA SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NETWORK Established in 2016, the GTA South Asian Media Network has developed a reputation for expertise in Media Relations, PR and Promotion of those in the arts, media and entertainment industries, as well as in Marketing and Community Outreach. The multi-award winning working brand, Annie J Koshy – Media Consultant, has a vast network, both within the South Asian as well as the mainstream communities and has the leverage to develop meaningful associations amongst individuals, businesses and within the media fraternity. (www.anniejkoshy.com)
Further information aboshobhashekharsid@gmail.comut Shobha Shekhar can be found at 

www.singershobha.com
or email her at singershobha@gmail.com
StarBuzzOnline

Stratford Presents Laser Light Shows in Market Square Dec 27 - 31

Laser Light Show Experience in Stratford's Market Square

A free laser light show for all of Stratford and surrounding areas to enjoy in Stratford's Market Square between Christmas and New Year's

Stratford, ON – December 12^th, 2017: The Laser Light Show will be a unique, family friendly experience happening in Stratford's Market Square. Taking place nightly December 27^th, 28^th, 29^th and 30^th at 7:30pm, as well as December 31^st at both 7:30pm and 12:00am, with the earlier scheduled for a special Kid's countdown, and the latter a New Year's Eve countdown.

         

Each show will be choreographed to music and capture the heritage and beauty of the City Hall building and other historic structures surrounding Stratford's Market Square. There will be no cost to view the Laser Light Show, and each show will run 15 minutes in length. Nu-Salt Laser Light Shows International will orchestrate the shows, providing a premium, fresh experience for the community.

Come down to Stratford's Market Square from December 27^th – 31^st for a never before seen experience of lights and beauty. The perfect winter outing; gather your family and grab some hot chocolate, while trying something new!  For more information, please visit Strat Fests – New Year's in the Square's Facebook page or follow the link, Stratford's Free Laser Light Show Experience. 

Virus-free. www.avast.com

Stratford Christmas Trail marks beginning of holiday season

Stratford, ON: The Stratford Christmas Trail (www.visitstratford.ca/ChristmasTrail) captures the spirit of giving and the joy of checking off that list. Throughout November and running until December 20, twenty-seven shops present fabulous stocking stuffers to delight on Christmas morning. You'll discover unique and individual gift ideas when you stroll our festive streets visiting shops draped in fresh cedar rope and tied with big red bows. Stratford Tourism is making it easy to kick off your holiday shopping with The Christmas Trail, just choose six gifts for $30 (+HS

Here is how it works. Purchase your trail at Stratford Tourism and receive your map and six vouchers to exchange for your choice of unique and distinctive gifts ready for you at  27 stops on the Christmas Trail. Share with friends and family to delight on Christmas morning – or keep a treat for yourself.

The Best Gourmet Mix in the Six is Back; The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo celebrates its 23rd year

The Best Gourmet Mix in the Six is Back

The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo celebrates its 23^rd year

TORONTO, Ont. (September 18, 2017)— The biggest food and drink event in Canada is back for its 23^rd year, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, November 16-19, 2017.

Sip and savour through international gourmet cuisine, exotic delicacies, incredible wines, cutting edge cocktails, stunning craft beers and more, as the Six comes alive for four glorious days for the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo.

"Our Expo provides the perfect opportunity to explore and discover what's new in the wine, spirits, beer and culinary delights," says Melanie Klie, Sales and Event Manager of the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo. "We're very excited to continue bringing the best in gourmet food and wine and satisfying every unique palate that walks through our doors."

Featuring wine, beer and spirits from around the globe, as well as stunning regional wines straight from neighbouring vineyards, the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo has something for everyone. From the beer and wine connoisseurs and food lovers of all kinds, to cooking gurus and home chefs looking to learn something new, guests will be able to sample delectable drinks served alongside fresh, local and international cuisine prepared by top chefs and restaurants.

Satisfy your hunger for a fabulous culinary experience as the Chef Stage will host ongoing, complimentary cooking demonstrations and first-hand culinary training hosted by notable celebrities and accredited chefs. Among these are Chef Emily Richards who will showcase a taste of Ontario presented by the Grain Farmers of Ontario, and you can discover recipes and flavor combinations with Cheese from Switzerland.

Partnered with The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the Expo will also feature its popular Tutored Tastings— a series of 15 interactive and engaging seminars— hosted by some of Canada's wine and spirits leading experts. This year's impressive line-up includes Master Sommeliers John Szabo and Jennifer Huether, Master of Wine Eugene Mynczyk, The Thirsty Traveler Kevin Brauch, and VINES Magazine co-founder Christopher Waters, who are ready to provide this unrivalled opportunity to taste incredible wines and spirits, and learn what makes them so special. 

A definite must-see at the Expo is Mott's Best Caesar in Town National Competition Show. Taking place on the Sunday, guests can watch as top mixologists from across Canada are on site creating their own versions of the delicious Caesar in this live final. Guests in the mood for some additional cocktail education can also check out the Spiritology Pavilion for hands-on lessons from Toronto's top mixologists.

"It can take years for someone to experience all of the unique spirits, wines, beers, and gourmet food that Canada and various parts of the world have to offer," adds Melanie. "We bring together a diverse selection of tastes and some of the best cuisine all weekend long."

Embrace the style and sophistication of a cocktail party paired with unprecedented educational opportunities and compelling feature areas this November.

The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo takes place November 16-19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building. For more information, please visit www.foodandwineexpo.ca. Stay up to date by following on Twitter and Facebook.
DATES & TIMES
Thursday, November 16, 6pm-10pm (VIP Preview Evening & PRIDE Night Social)
Friday, November 17, 2pm-10pm
Saturday, November 18, 12pm-10pm
Sunday, November 19, 12pm-6pm  (Mott's Best Caesar in Town National Finals)

Admission is restricted to guests who are 19+, with valid photo I.D. No infants or children permitted.

A RENDEZVOUS WITH MUSIC AND DANCE ON NOVEMBER 5 AT PEARSON THEATRE

StarBuzzOnline

Eyes of Time - Art Show by Meena Chopra at Heritage Mississauga

StarBuzzOnline:

EYES OF TIME - The eye as a channel into the new dimensions of life.
Art Exhibition by Artist and Author Meena Chopra
(Celebrating 150 years of Canada)

“Eyes wear the wings of time to fly beyond the cry of human desires, reveries and the realities, penetrating the boundaries of the visible universe into the unknown invisible realms.

OPENING RECEPTION:
Tuesday, 15th August at 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Host: Heritage Mississauga.

Exhibition is on view from 8th August to 15th September 2017
Venue: Heritage Mississauga 1921 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5K 1R2. Phone:(905) 828-8411
_______________________________________

Eyes symbolize seeing and light, and therefore depicting consciousness itself, The eye is the part of us that beholds the universe and sees our place in it. It is knowledge, awareness and wisdom. The eye takes in light, the pure energy of the universe, and presents it to the inner spirit. It is the gateway, the very union, between the self and the cosmos”.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Aankhen uthin to dekha kaynaat jal rahi thi
jab ye jhukin to tum the aur kuchh bhi nahin”

Roughly translated: When the eyes rose outwardly they saw the entire universe afire. When they opened inwards, it was you and nothing but you (the one reality of life)

(Lines are from my Hindi poem titled “Aur Kuchh bhi nahin” (And Nothing Else) (from my Hindi collection “Adieu to the Dawn” – “Subah ka sooraj ab mera nahin hai”)"

Visit Website: http://meenachopra17.wixsite.com/meena-chopra-artist -Meena Chopra

EXPERIENCE MANDALA ART: Free Art Workshops at Central Library

Experience Mandala Art

Join local artist, author and educator Meena Chopra for a free workshop and learn how to create mandala art. Mandala, the Sanskrit word for "circle" or "completion", has a long history and is recognized for its deep meaning and representation of wholeness. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung has called it "a representation of the unconscious self." Spaces are limited and supplies will be provided. Admission is free. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please call the Arts & History Department 905-615-3500 ext. 3660.

Event Date(s):

July 15, 2017

Event Time(s): 2 - 4 pm

Location: Central Library - Classroom 3

301 Burnhamthorpe Road West,

Mississauga, Ontario

L5B 3Y3

Canada

Cost: Free

Library Link

MANDALA ART: Free Art Workshops for at Central Library.

Age group: From 10 years and above

Conducted by author and artist educator Meena Chopra

Date: 15th July

Time: 2pm to 4pm

Venue: Central Library Mississauga

For registration call: Arts and History Department at 905 615 3500 ext 3660 . Seats are limited

Art Materials will be provided for the workshop.

For further details Visit Facebook Event Page: Mandala Art Workshop

https://www.facebook.com/events/2308538812703801/

2nd International Women’s Conference on South Asian Women: Socio-cultural expression through literature, poetry, theatre, cinema, media and storytelling (daastangoi, talk)

Invitation to attend 2nd International Women's Conference on South Asian Women: Socio-cultural expression through literature, poetry, theatre, cinema, media and storytelling (daastangoi, talk)

The South Asian women living in the western hemisphere go through so many economic social and cultural issues in their adopted countries. Uprooting from the native place, patriarchal family structure, economic insecurity and problems in adapting to the new socio- cultural milieu expose the South Asian women to many hardships. Conservative approach of the South Asian communities renders women as mute sufferer and most of the time their issues go unaddressed.

DISHA feels that women's issues should be voiced, discussed and a mechanism should be devised to address them promptly and effectively.

On behalf of DISHA-Association of Canadian Punjabi Women, I invite you to attend our 2day International Women Conference on "South Asian Women- Socio-cultural expression through literature, poetry, theatre, cinema, media and storytelling (Daastangoi, talk) from 17to 18June, 2017 at 340 Vodden st., Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The experts  working on various women related issues will be  presenting papers at the conference.

.

We would like you to share your thoughts and experiences on any of the genre mentioned above at the conference. Details of the program will be sent to you soon.

 We look forward to your confirmed presence in the conference.

--

Thank you.

Warm regards

Dr. Kanwaljit Dhillon 

Chairperson       

"Nothing will work, unless you do."- 

Dr. Maya Angelou                                              

 dishatoronto@gmail.com                  www.disha.ca              905-926-9559

Young musicians of Canada 2017 on Sunday May 28.

Hello dear friends, I want to invite you all to be a part of an event which is my vision and dream. In 2015, I started a forum under the name of "Young musicians of Canada" to promote and give a stage to young artists who have learnt Indian classical music for atleast 7-10 years under good gurus in North America and India and are born and raised in Canada. I'm organizing my second concert event on May 28, 2017 in collaboration with Ragamala Toronto, with 4 other talented young musicians. Please come out to bless them, hear them and to witness for yourself what wonderful budding musicians they are. It is creditable that they are the torch bearers to our rich Indian cultural heritage in North America. 

Please mark your dates for Sunday, MAY 28, from 4-6.30 pm. Dinner will be available after for $5. 

For tickets, you may inquire with me through email or call me @ 416.417.7901

Details are in the flyer. 

Thanks, Ramneek Singh

2 DAYS TO GO FOR THE SPRING EVENT OF THE SEASON: “THIS IS MY BEAUTY” KICKING OFF SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Toronto, ON (Thursday April 27, 2017) – ANOKHI MEDIA, Canada’s leading South Asian entertainment and lifestyle media and events company is pleased to announce that “This Is My Beauty” brought to you by ‘The ANOKHI PRESTIGE Experience’ event series, will be kicking off South Asian Heritage Month this Sunday April 30th, 2017 at The Uptown Loft in Toronto.

DATE: Sunday April 30, 2017

LOCATION: The Uptown Loft, 2464 Yonge St, Toronto TIME:  11:30am-5:00pm

Founder, President, CEO, Raj Girn explained why she spear-headed this initiative by stating that “The ANOKHI PRESTIGE Experience (T.A.P.E.) has been formed to bring together like-minded people to IDENTIFY, EXPLORE, LEARN, SHARE lifestyle-based themes, with the aim of curating an incubator type of an environment to assist members in creating their greatest and most rewarding life.” She continued to say that “the goal is to amplify members’ individual life journeys so as to accelerate their road to personal & professional fulfilment. Duly, it is fitting to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with an event that recognizes the importance of doing so by being mindful of diversity and inclusivity in gender, culture, and religion. Our program has therefore, been is carefully curated to reflect this.”

Full program details can be seen at the official website at www.AnokhiPrestige.com/about (please scroll half way down to view).

StarBuzzOnline

“A MATTER OF GEOGRAPHY,” by JASMINE D’COSTA, ELEGANTLY EXPLORES THE EVER-CHANGING HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COSMIC FRAMEWORK,”

A MATTER OF GEOGRAPHY,” PUBLISHED BY MOSAIC PRESS ELEGANTLY EXPLORES THE EVER-CHANGING HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COSMIC FRAMEWORK,” AS QUOTED BY TORONTO AUTHOR SYLVIA FRASER. THIS QUOTE APTLY DESCRIBES JASMINE D’COSTA’S NEW BOOK, WHICH WAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED TO A SOLD OUT CROWD AT THE HELICONIAN CLUB, IN TORONTO.

Jasmine has indicated that the beginning of her novel opens in the early 1990’s in the heart of Bombay where young Peter and Anna are neighbours residing with their families.  They live in the Billimoria Building, ensconced in the Catholic ghetto. When Hindus destroy a mosque in the distant Indian state of Ayodhya, riots explode in Bombay, the worst the city has witnessed.

The primary characters in her book, Peter and Anna were just twenty one and sixteen years old as they are caught in the explosion while their families take on the task of sheltering a Muslim neighbor.  Amidst this turmoil and tragedy, Anna’s family migrates to Canada and she is separated from Peter, just as their love blossoms.