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EXPLORING FLORENCE - Malabika Ray Choudhury's Blog

About Malabika Ray Choudhury
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Reading and Creative Writing are my passions from a very young age. After spending many years of teaching as my profession, finally I am devoting myself to my passions - Poetry, Singing, and Art. I also write short stories, long stories, memoirs, cooking diary...and work on translations of poems from my home-language, Bengali, a regional language in India. 

 My early years were spent in India, and some later years in the Middle East - finally settled in Toronto, Canada. Writing comes first, but I also learn, practise and enjoy music and art. I am an avid reader from my early childhood - read both classic and modern writers - from Iliad, Odyssey and Shakespeare to P.G. Wodehouse, to Elena Ferrante and Kazuo Ishiguro. The book which is always on my desk is Gitanjali, the collection of spiritual songs by Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel-laureate Poet of India.

Poetry is an expression of thoughts, feelings and reflections. Some of my unique life-experiences get expressed in my poems and short stories. I attempt to express my reflections and thoughts with creativity and depth - poetic flow and elegance are my goals. At present I am working on a memoir which covers my family's history and my life in three different countries with rich and varied cultures. 

I write equally in two languages -  in English, and in Bengali, which is a regional language in the eastern part of India. I have translated a few famous Bengali poems, mainly by Rabindranath Tagore and Jibanananda Das, in English. My book of translation is available on amazon, being published in August, 2023. In the beginning of 2023, I also wrote a short novel in Bengali, called "Pahar Amay Dake" - it would be "Mountains are calling me" in English. This book has been published in Kolkata, India, by Karukatha Publishers, on my birthday in 2023.  

I create videos with my own poems and poems by famous writers, and also create audio-books from English and Bengali literature... created my own channel on You Tube, and uploaded a few songs, rendered by myself. 

Channel URL for You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCSzp2aCxzDkxInuHkVU37g

I work on a few forms of rare art - eggshell decorations, copper-tooling and batik are some of them. 

Here are the links to my translations of Rabindranath Tagore's Poems:

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/finally_saved_part_1_-_translation_from_rabindranath_tagore_1403729 (Finally Saved - Part 1)

 

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/finally_saved_part_2_-_translation_from_rabindranath_tagore_________________1403737 (Fianlly Saved - Part 2)

 

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/finally_saved_part_3_-_translation_from_rabindranath_tagore__1403738 (Fianally Saved - Part 3)

 

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/freed_from_my_shackles_-_translation_from_tagore_1396721 (Freed From My Shacles)

 

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/_deception_part_1_translation_from_tagore_1346222 (Deception - Part 1)

 

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/deception_part_2_-_translation_from_tagore_1346223 (Deception - Part 2)

 
 
(Banalata Sen)
 
(Invention Of Shoes - Part 1)
 
(Invention Of Shoes - Part 2)
 
(Sleeping Beauty)
 
(An Ordinary Girl)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below is a link to my YOU TUBE Channel. You may subscribe to this channel, where I post recitation of my poems, poems from Rabindranath Tagore, and also songs (rendered by myself) composed by Tagore. Please click on my picture at the bottom of the video - you will find my channel. Channel URL is at the bottom of this post. 
 

 

Channel URL for You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/@raymalabika

 

handle: @raymalabika

 This link will take you to my channel on YOU TUBE

 https://youtube.com/user/raymalabika

 

 


EXPLORING FLORENCE

Blog Posted:11/4/2024 8:13:00 AM


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Date: 11/6/2024 9:24:00 AM
Ah, you are having an enjoyable and memorable trip apparently. My wife and I visited Florence many years back, just a day trip though, organised by the cruise operators. It is a lovely city with impressive architecture although the leaning tower was a disappointment, if we compare with Delhi’s qutab minar. Have a fun trip Mala!
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Date: 11/5/2024 8:19:00 PM
Sounds like you had a very enjoyable interesting week with lots of great food and weather. Trip of a lifetime. I was blessed to travel in my youth when I did a semester abroad in Madrid. Memories that are precious since I have no expectations of ever traveling again. Your day 6 would have been my favorite!
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 11/6/2024 10:16:00 AM
wish I had seen more of Italy. My group only got to spend a few days in rome.
Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 11/6/2024 4:22:00 AM
Dear Andrea, Appreciate your reading the blog, and commenting with lovely words. You are right, this trip was really enjoyable! I had been to three cities in Italy before - Rome, Milan and Venice. But this time staying only in Florence was a great decision (suggested by my daughter). Both I and my daughter are enthusiastic about the art and architecture - the tiny, but whole city reminds the glory of Renaissance era. I loved the day 6 too - my daughter booked that activity because she knows my interests very well. I didn't have much time to focus on writing - this blog was hurriedly done.
Date: 11/5/2024 5:47:00 AM
Mala, I've always been enchanted with the thought of visiting Firenze. Thank you for sharing your delightful vacation with us! :)
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Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 11/6/2024 4:38:00 AM
Dear Mark, Glad to hear you are thinking about visiting Florence. It's a smaller city than Rome and Milan, but if you are interested about the Renaissance paintings and sculpture, this is the place! I am not very physically strong, so visited the two biggest museums, but there are many more churches, cathedrals, museums worth visiting.Being a small city, all places are walking distance, but most of the lanes and by-lanes are cobbled, which for me, creates a historical atmosphere. Thank you for reading my blog, hurriedly done...I am planning to add some more details and more information soon. I wanted to add some beautiful pictures, but I couldn't, so I added some links. Warm wishes to you. I am sure some day you will visit Firenze.
Date: 11/4/2024 11:26:00 PM
A very informative blog Mala, Florence sounds amazing, I hope you have a wonderful time there. Tom
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Ray Choudhury Avatar
Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 11/6/2024 4:29:00 AM
Dear Tom, Thank you for reading the blog and commenting. Yes, Florence was a great trip this time - I visited three other Italian cities before, but didn't stay anywhere for long. This is my kind of travel - focusing on the classic art and architecture, and spend time taking all the experiences in. People were very polite and humble...food, as expected, delicious! The paintings and sculpture took my breath away! Wish I didn't have to write the blog in a rush...I did, so i don't forget the beautiful moments. Warm wishes, Tom! Hope you are doing very well.

My Past Blog Posts

 
EXPLORING FLORENCE
Date Posted: 11/4/2024 8:13:00 AM
Exciting Writing Project To Participate
Date Posted: 6/12/2024 7:50:00 AM
Cook With Me (Chapter 4) - Healing Spices
Date Posted: 5/17/2024 4:07:00 PM
Cook With Me (Chapter 3) - Rice, The Staple For Many
Date Posted: 4/16/2024 1:43:00 PM
Cook With Me - Chapter 2 (Spices, Spices, Spices)
Date Posted: 4/1/2024 3:09:00 PM
Cook With Me - Mala's Kitchen (Chapter 1)
Date Posted: 3/20/2024 1:05:00 PM
Fine Poetry Video-Series
Date Posted: 11/28/2023 9:42:00 AM
Delighted To Share - Published A Collection
Date Posted: 9/7/2023 10:21:00 AM
Finally The Book Is Here!
Date Posted: 5/20/2023 5:29:00 AM
A Memorable Visit To India
Date Posted: 2/23/2023 4:56:00 PM
Love To Share
Date Posted: 9/3/2022 6:03:00 PM
Few Days Of My Destination March Break
Date Posted: 4/1/2022 6:19:00 AM
"Inspired By A Translation" Poetry Contest - Results Finalized
Date Posted: 12/12/2021 5:01:00 PM
Gentle Reminders about "Inspired By A Translation" Poetry Contest
Date Posted: 12/6/2021 5:16:00 PM
A Few Words About My Contest - Inspired By A Translation
Date Posted: 11/9/2021 6:22:00 AM
Translations - Empowering Women In Nineteenth Century India
Date Posted: 10/14/2021 3:32:00 PM
"MERSE - Beauty Of Fall" Contest Results Finalized
Date Posted: 9/24/2021 5:00:00 PM
MERSE Poetry Contest
Date Posted: 8/31/2021 4:07:00 PM
Results Finalized For Contest - A Tender Moment From Childhood
Date Posted: 7/1/2021 4:31:00 PM
My "Sunflower" Poetry Contest - A Few Words
Date Posted: 5/21/2021 9:34:00 AM
Translations From Nobel-Laureate Poet Of India
Date Posted: 4/12/2021 4:20:00 PM
How To Attach Pictures To Your Poems (some helpful instructions)
Date Posted: 3/27/2021 3:49:00 PM
My Contest - Moments Of Reflection (Haibun)
Date Posted: 3/26/2021 7:36:00 PM
My Contest - I Remember
Date Posted: 3/8/2021 4:02:00 PM
An Experience Of Faberge-inspired Rare Eggshell Art (Video)
Date Posted: 2/7/2021 6:08:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
11/6/2024 Sky Monokusky,
10/16/2024 Without You Lyricloss,love,
10/14/2024 Fabulous Fun Nursery Rhyme Alliterationfamily,fun,
10/11/2024 Leaves Dream A Dream Free verseautumn,color,
9/24/2024 autumn tiptoes Haikuautumn,seasons,
9/23/2024 Hopes Soar Free verseinspiration,
9/21/2024 My Favourite Teacher Free verseinspiration,teacher,
9/16/2024 Faded Photographs Free versefamily,history,
9/13/2024 The Person I Used To Be Free verselife,light,
9/6/2024 Fun And Learn - Nursery Rhyme Rhymechildhood,fun,
9/4/2024 Circle Of Joy - Nursery Rhyme Rhymechildren,fun,joy,
8/31/2024 The Whispers of Autumn Sonnetautumn,color,
8/23/2024 Symphony Of Sunrise Free versecreation,sun,
8/17/2024 Little Darlings Rhymechildren,girl,
8/13/2024 A Voyage To Unknown Free versedeath,life,
8/11/2024 Love City Of Mississauga POTD Acrosticcity,home,love,
8/5/2024 O My Violin Free verseheartbreak,music,
7/30/2024 Summer Temptation Limericksummer,
7/24/2024 Long Day For Mrs Whisker Rhymeanimal,cat,
7/15/2024 Forgotten Era Versememory,
7/15/2024 Forgotten Verselonging,memory,
7/11/2024 Music Tankafeelings,music,
7/9/2024 Why Not Be Friends Limerickfriendship,humorous,
7/7/2024 beauty Suzette Primebeauty,
6/27/2024 birds Haikusummer,
6/23/2024 Seize The Moment Carpe Dieminspirational,time,
6/10/2024 Princess Of Malawa Biolife,
6/8/2024 When Poetry Eludes My Soul Suzette Primefeelings,poetry,
6/3/2024 Pearl Free versegrief,sorrow,
5/29/2024 Cheery Willow Ethereesummer,
5/28/2024 Cheery Rose Plant Ethereerose,summer,
5/25/2024 Reverie in Tranquility Free versedeath,life,
5/24/2024 Destination Never Reached Free versedeath,sad,
5/22/2024 Poetry Made Me Feel Whole Free verseinspiration,poetry,
5/17/2024 In My Heart Acrosticlove,
5/14/2024 If Only You Knew Romanticismloneliness,love,
5/14/2024 When Silence Speaks To Me Free versesilence,
5/4/2024 Love Sonnetlife,love,
5/2/2024 Dreams Soar Rhymedream,
4/22/2024 Painting Rhymeimagination,
4/20/2024 A Time To Reflect Free versejourney,life,
4/14/2024 Whisper Romanticismrain,
3/30/2024 Voyage Free verseinspirational,
3/24/2024 Ordeal Has Begun Limerickanti bullying,fun,
3/22/2024 Snow Personificationsnow,winter,
3/19/2024 My Warrior - Legend Narrativeinspirational,pride,
3/18/2024 Woven Worlds Otherworld,youth,
3/17/2024 Spring Sonata Free versemusic,spring,
1/22/2024 Spreading Wings Limericklove,valentines day,
1/7/2024 Not A Perpetual Dream Free verseinspirational,life,
12/26/2023 Pray For A Dawn Free verseinspirational,
12/26/2023 Only Good Wishes Rhymeuplifting,
12/23/2023 BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS - Shiny New Books Prosebooks,children,
12/21/2023 Opposing Poetry Free versepoetry,
12/19/2023 Serious Resolution Limericknew years day,
12/16/2023 Holiday Spirit Rhymecelebration,holiday,
12/12/2023 Birds Didn't Return Whatever Free versedestiny,
12/2/2023 Christmas Memories Free versechristmas,memory,
11/27/2023 Winter Sonata Free versesnow,winter,
11/27/2023 If It Wasn't For Poetry Free verseinspiration,poetry,
11/21/2023 Butterflies Dance To Moon Free versebutterfly,moon,
11/17/2023 Beauty Irresistible Tankaautumn,tree,
11/11/2023 Mother - POTD Free versededication,devotion,mothe
11/10/2023 Spooky Night Limerickoctober,
10/30/2023 Knotty Dodoitsulove,
10/26/2023 Autumn Glory Monokuautumn,tree,uplifting,
10/21/2023 Journal Dodoitsulife,memory,
10/17/2023 Born To Write Dodoitsuwriting,
10/17/2023 Hopeful Versehope,how i feel,
10/14/2023 Watching From a Cliff Free verseuplifting,
10/13/2023 Halloween Fun Rhymehalloween,scary,
10/10/2023 Rose Verserose,sad,
10/6/2023 House Free versehome,house,
9/30/2023 Andrea Bocelli Clerihewmusic,
9/29/2023 If Ethereeflower,life,
9/22/2023 Fluttering Free verselonging,lost love,
9/19/2023 Fall Splendour Rhymeautumn,
9/10/2023 Vermillion Twilight Alliterationsun,sunset,
9/1/2023 Would You Love Me Free verselove,poetry,
8/30/2023 Letter To My Children Free versechildren,life,
8/22/2023 Gown Personificationlove,wedding,
8/19/2023 Most Beautiful Flower Free verseflower,
8/17/2023 Snow Falls Incessant Tableau Versebird,winter,
8/16/2023 Yearn Free verselove,sunset,
8/14/2023 An Alluring Flower Free versedaughter,dream,flower,
8/10/2023 All About My Name Coupleti am,
8/5/2023 Days Lost - A Prose Poetrycancer,life,
8/5/2023 Twenty-Five Days - A Prose Poetrycancer,life,
8/2/2023 Once-In-A-Lifetime Limerickfun,holiday,
8/1/2023 Quest Tankalife,
7/30/2023 Poetry Free versepoetry,
7/29/2023 Rain - Toronto Haikurain,
7/25/2023 Summer Bliss Sonnetnature,seasons,
7/21/2023 Melody Sonnetdream,music,
7/17/2023 Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguru Monokulonging,love,
7/16/2023 Fishing Boats On the Beach At Les Saintes - Van Gogh Monokusea,
7/15/2023 To the One I Lost Free verselost love,memory,
7/14/2023 Love Is Blind Personificationlove,rain,
7/13/2023 Meandering Stream Haikulost love,
7/7/2023 Dreamscape Ethereebeauty,july,seasons,

My Photos


photo

ps_img-20200528-wa0000.jpg

Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
The Last Petal Free versefunny love,
Find Me Then Verselove,sunset,
Kaleidoscopic Kite Personificationlife,summer,
The Garden That Lives On Concretegarden,
In Your Lockup Rhymecute love,love,passion,
Reflections In Silence - Moon and I Free verseanalogy,life,philosophy,
Fascination Versehappiness,heart,
One Day Soon Free versehope,love,
Gently Now, Gently Lyriclove,romantic,
Separated By a Common Language Rhymeamerica,england,language,
My Winter Free verselove,passion,winter,
A Writer Born To Create Free versewriting,
Silent Blossoms Versenature,silence,
Let There Be Color Free verseflower,garden,
Imagination Free verseanalogy,bird,imagination,
Ruin Gazing Free versesolitude,
There Is a Star With My Name On It Free versedesire,hope,night,romanti
The Christmas Gift Rhymechristmas,emotions,
Dawn's Symphony Versebird,
The Tempest Free verselife,ocean,peace,storm,
Painting Love Sonnetlove,
Where Do We Poets Go Free versedeath,life,poems,poetry,p
A Christmas Eve Tale Rhymeboy,dog,
A Poem For Michael Rhymeabuse,angst,discriminatio
Poetry: a Profound Sense of Beauty - a Collaboration With Frederic Parker Free verseappreciation,beauty,imagi
The Forest Free versenature,
Ode To Mother Ganga Odemother,river,
Amberina Ballerina Free versedestiny,emotions,inspirat
Raindrops Kissing Imagismgarden,imagery,spiritual,
Sunset Tableau Verseappreciation,lost love,na
Night Sky's Party Terzanellenight,sky,
I Didn'T Know Rhymeappreciation,bullying,chi
O April Free verseappreciation,april,beauty
Dance Party In Summer Haikucelebration,dance,summer,
A Poem For My Algebra Teacher Free verse6th grade,abuse,betrayal,
falling like leaves again - Acrosticautumn,memory,romance,sou
dancing with mom - Coupletanalogy,dance,joy,life,lo
It Still Hurts Free versebreak up,love,love hurts,
The Symphony I Cherish Free versejoy,music,wind,
Oh, Autumn Quintain (Sicilian)autumn,
Seasons Serene Rhymeseasons,
It Came Upon a Prophecy Lyricchristian,christmas,jesus
A Zigzag In Autumn Free verseautumn,nature,
The Universe of Creativity, the Poet, and the Poem Free versepoems,
Along Comes a Flood Coupletanalogy,desire,imagery,lo
Fantasy Is the Luster of Opalescence Free verseappreciation,art,fantasy,
Night Light Free verseblue,light,loss,moon,nigh
To My Knees Lyricfaith,god,prayer,
Everybody's Going Home Lyricloneliness,lonely,longing
Dreamy Night Dizainmom,
My Visit To Nirmal Hriday Rhymecaregiving,dedication,hap
My Forest of Dreams Rhymeblessing,devotion,
That Tiny Spark of Hope Rhyme10th grade,11th grade,12t
To My Future Self Rhymefuture,
Distinct Ballet Coupletbutterfly,poetry,upliftin
Dappled Rainbow Hues Upon the Floor Dizainfamily,
Flipped Hourglass Rhymelife,lost,time,
Oh, Hello September Free verseseptember,
Women In My Family Acrosticblessing,children,faith,f
Ordinary Free verselove,magic,mystery,
Showdown At Soup Creek Rhymeamerica,humor,sun,
Summer Lace Rhymebeauty,day,love,morning,n
Silence of a Poet Free versepoetry,
Niskriti Translated As Finally Saved Rhymegender,life,women,
Vagabond Dreams Quintain (English)appreciation,love,
Soul Embrace Free verseage,child,creation,fantas
Finding My Muse Free versefantasy,imagery,inspirati
When Dewdrops Run Dry Tankaflower,love,
In Memory Imagismgrief,
The Hint of Autumn Quaternaugust,autumn,color,roman
Sand, Sun-Kissed and Sandals Rhymelonging,romance,seasons,s
Rapture - Hiku Haikubeautiful,emotions,heart,
Whose Muse Elusive Dew Rhymedestiny,life,lost love,mo
That Starry Night Ekphrasisart,depression,night,pass
Spring Flowers Free versebeautiful,bird,birth,flow
Dream Party At Number 10 Free verseabuse,america,anger,anxie
Take Me To Nirvana Rhymeheaven,
Flight To Midnight Verseangel,beauty,death,forgiv
Wings of Change Free verseappreciation,birth,celebr
Boyhood Free verseaddiction,boy,children,co
Poem On Poetry Rhymepoetry,
With Life In Tune Rhymenature,
Eagle Haikuappreciation,bird,sea,
Ekphrasis On Snow At Argenteuil Ekphrasisappreciation,art,love,
Forgiveness Free verseforgiveness,
Autumn - Constanza Rhymeautumn,death,spiritual,
Phew Nursery Rhyme Limerickfun,
Consciousness Fulcrum Free verseheart,life,work,
I Never Wonder Why I Love You Romanticismi love you,love,wife,
Let Us Leave Shadows and Live Ghazallife,
A Poets Abode Sonnetart,beauty,passion,poetry
Mom's Night Before Christmas Rhymechristmas,mother,
A Moment In Time Quatrainbetrayal,heartbreak,
First Dance Footle Footlecrush,fantasy,teacher,
Spring Whimsy Haikuspring,
If Ever I Don't Know Rhymeage,daughter,father daugh
Coming of Age Free verseage,health,
Cobwebs Senryuheart,
Women In My Family Free versefamily,women,
Writing Is My Prayer Roundelpoetry,writing,

Fav Poets

PoetCountry 
Jcb Brul Korea (South) Flag Korea (South) Read
Mpho Gift South Africa Flag South Africa Read
Besma Riabi Dziri Tunisia Flag Tunisia Read
Maureen Mcgreavy Canada Flag Canada Read
Jeanne Mcgee United States Flag United States Read
Rhonda Johnson-Saunders United States Flag United States Read
John Watt United States Flag United States Read
Andrea Dietrich United States Flag United States Read
Aditi Mishra India Flag India Read
Darlene De Beaulieu Canada Flag Canada Read
Vijay Pandit United States Flag United States Read
Harry Horsman Australia Flag Australia Read
Connie Marcum Wong United States Flag United States Read
Debjani Mitra India Flag India Read
Mark Toney United States Flag United States Read
Nandita Das India Flag India Read
Funom Makama Germany Flag Germany Read
Silent One United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Anisha Dutta India Flag India Read
Sam Kauffman United States Flag United States Read
Carol Mitra India Flag India Read
Constance La France Canada Flag Canada Read
Malabika Ray Choudhury Canada Flag Canada Read
Susan Ashley United States Flag United States Read
Stephanie Musarra United States Flag United States Read
Sanjay Teli India Flag India Read
Jonathan Kieller Canada Flag Canada Read
Kimberly Sikorski United States Flag United States Read
Ann Peck United States Flag United States Read
Jennifer Fenn United States Flag United States Read
Bob Kimmerling United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Quoth Theraven United States Flag United States Read
Coral Urbina United States Flag United States Read
Michael Ellis United States Flag United States Read
Regina Mcintosh United States Flag United States Read
Snehal Ade India Flag India Read
Chetta Achara United States Flag United States Read
Paula Goldsmith United States Flag United States Read
Alok Yadav India Flag India Read
Bill Baker United States Flag United States Read
Susan Lawrence United States Flag United States Read
Paul Callus Malta Flag Malta Read
Valsa George India Flag India Read
Panagiota Romios United States Flag United States Read
Paige Turner United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Krish Radhakrishna United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Maria Fernandez-Garcia Spain Flag Spain Read
Hiya Sharma India Flag India Read
Christina Bowring United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Billie Jama United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Ink Empress Maldives Flag Maldives Read

Book: Shattered Sighs