Didi comes back with Nandi-Maa

Nandi-Maa revolves around the police firing which took place in Nandigram on March 14,2007,and killed 14 farmers who were opposing land acquisition. Banerjee also writes about the consequent movement that had the intelligentsia questioning the Bengal government’s policy of acquiring land to set up a chemical hub at Nandigram in East Midnapore.

The book’s cover carries an illustration by renowned artist Shuvaprasanna,who is also part of the Trinamool Congress’ think-tank. The illustration is of an elderly woman holding on to a staff,her arms and white sari smeared with blood. Her last book,Maa Maati Manush (Mother,Land and People),was a compilation of her poems and sold over 1,500 copies. Last year,the book was released at the book fair.

“We have got a good response from the readers. Her other books on non-fiction and poems are also doing well with each selling over 1,000 copies. Her first book Upalabdhi too did well,” said Sudhanshu Dey,co-owner of Dey’s Publications that publishes her books.

Unlike her other books which are relatively cheap — the price ranging from Rs 40 to Rs 100 — Nandi-Maa has been priced at Rs 300. “This book has so many photographs,” added Dey.

Despite her hectic schedule as a cabinet minister in the UPA government and as the chief of the Trinamool Congress,Banerjee squeezes in time for her writings. All of her writings initiate from jottings in her small diary like field notes,which she carries around in her sling bag.

“She sleeps late. Whenever she gets time from her busy schedule,she pens down her thoughts,” said a senior Trinamool leader and a close aide of Banerjee. “Mamata Banerjee had been voicing the concerns and struggles of the grassroots for years. Her books on poetry reflect her concerns and also talk about the atrocities of the state government,” said Dola Sen,a close aide of Banerjee.