“Epiphanies of a Young Mind”, a poetry book written by Aahana Mundamattam and illustrated by Anaya Mundamattam, was launched at the Bookworm in Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Dhaka.
The book is a unique testament to the power of creativity, resilience, and sibling collaboration in challenging times.
More than 50 creative minds attended the book launch event and participated in a discussion on the book.
At just nine years of age, when the world was grappling with the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Aahana Mundamattam started penning her emotions, fears, and joys into evocative poems. Her journey from Dhaka to India during the strict lockdowns and the transition to a new life formed the soulful backdrop to this poetic collection, according to a press release.
Aahana Mundamattam said: "I have poured my heart and soul into these words. They are a compilation of my greatest joys and my deepest fears. They are a timeline of the past two years and how they have changed me.”
While Aahana navigated the world of poetry, her sister, Anaya Mundamattam, battled her mental health challenges to create mesmerizing art that compliments each poem. Anaya's introspective artistry combines with Aahana's poignant words, creating a tapestry of emotions and experiences.
The sisters' dedication to their craft was evident during the event, where they shared insights into their creative processes, inspirations, and the power of art as a healing tool. Attendees were particularly moved by the artwork's personal touches and the poems' raw honesty.
Although Aahana had always loved to read and write but never really wrote poetry. She had learned everything she knew about it briefly at her school in Dhaka. When she was first experimenting with and exploring her poetic voice, she wrote about things around her. As she grew more comfortable with poetry, she began to draw inspiration from ideas and emotions around her. Poems like “The Abyss” and “Uncertainty” explore more emotional themes.
The depiction of the winged Victory of Samothrace, symbolizing Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, in the art for the poem “Victory” was one such touchstone. Both sisters deeply love Greek Mythology, and this affection resonated throughout the event.
"Epiphanies of a Young Mind" is not just a book—it's a journey, a testament, and an inspiration. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times; creativity can flourish, offering solace and connection.
The book is available at the Bookworm in Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan 2.
