*"Remarkably thorough, sophisticated, and precise. This collection will
be useful to readers starting with those who have a general interest in
the subject to serious scholars ... this book will serve as a defining
text for many years to come given its pivotal position in the history of
Gambian writing and to the quality of these essays that bring into bold
relied the excellence of Sallah's writing."- Re-Markings, Vol 13 No.3, September 2014
* Cambria Press, Amherst, New York.
Dear Professor Ghosh,
Thanks a lot for sending me the September 2014 issue
of Re-Markings, which has Priscilla Ramsey’s review of Wumi’s book of
critical
perspectives on my writings. I am delighted to see the review so
positive and I immediately shared it with Cambria Press, the publisher
of the book. They liked the review so much that they decided to upload
it in their section of reviews for their books. I am sharing that below, where as you can see “Re-Markings” is
featured. I thought you might like
to know about this featuring of Re-Markings on the
publisher’s website. By the way, I also liked the overall issue.
With warm regards,
Tijan
P.S.: My new book of poems,
Harrow: London Poems of Convalescence, will be released next January and I will send you a copy. Maybe someone in India can review it for Re-Markings.
(Tijan M. Sallah is the celebrated Gambian poet associated with the World Bank and is based in the US).
**Excerpts from Tijan M. Sallah's interview published in the September 2013 issue of Re-Markings:
‘finding
beauty in our midst’:
Conversation
with Tijan M. Sallah
Nibir K. Ghosh
Ghosh: From the diasporic angle, what is your
take on the idea of “imaginary homelands”?
Sallah: Well,
the twentieth and twenty-first century would be the era of “imaginary
homelands.” Many of us live in societies
overseas different from where we have our cultural roots. Globalization and the
internet have created a flat world where we can communicate and keep in touch
instantaneously with our loved ones in our “imaginary homelands.” Our roots will continue to endure and be
relevant to us so long as we remain in touch. The diaspora will continue to be
a source of support through re-investments and through lobbying in the northern
citadels of power for societies where we have our roots. For us in voluntary or
involuntary exile, the uprooted, we will face challenges in our receiving
societies where we will have to adapt, but also in culturally giving what is valuable
from our roots to our uprooted posterity.
Ghosh: Since you have had an Indian connection, what message would you like to
give to young upcoming writers in India?
Sallah: India is on the
rise and has much to offer to the world. Young upcoming Indian writers must
capture the rich experiences of the current moment of India's interphase with
globalization to tell the story of the poor, the disenfranchised, the
marginalized, the socially excluded because of, for example, caste, to those
fortunate Indians and the world at large ...
The task of the young Indian writer must be that of a chameleon revolutionary,
to change colors with the environment in order to see and tell the stories of
the true lives of Indians – all for the betterment of India and the
world.
