A bold poetic manifesto of defiance, Urban Naxal Biwi captures the anguish of modern India and challenges gender norms through Pratibha Sharma's evocative verses and an unforgettable live reading. Vinta Nanda writes…

Photography: Vinta Nanda

At the Orange City Literature Festival 2024, celebrated actor and poet Pratibha Sharma launched her revolutionary poetry book Urban Naxal Biwi. Accompanied by her husband, acclaimed actor Yashpal Sharma, the event captivated a packed audience with its powerful blend of verse, theatre, and heartfelt discussion. The collection explores India’s social inequities, the disenfranchisement of the common people, and the gender discourse, offering an unapologetic critique of contemporary realities. With themes of defiance, resilience, and intellectual empowerment, Urban Naxal Biwi establishes Pratibha Sharma as a vital voice in Indian literature, leaving a lasting impact on readers and admirers.

1. A Revolutionary Collection of Poetry: Urban Naxal Biwi fearlessly addresses societal inequities, unemployment, and gender expectations, presenting an unapologetic critique of contemporary India.
2. A Memorable Live Reading Session: Pratibha Sharma, accompanied by her husband Yashpal Sharma, brought her poetry to life at the Orange City Literature Festival 2024, in an event powered by the Om Puri Foundation, captivating a packed audience.
3. Breaking Gender Norms: The poetry boldly challenges traditional gender roles, celebrating intellectual empowerment over superficial appearances.

Pratibha Sharma’s latest book of poetry, Urban Naxal Biwi, was unveiled on 24th November 2024 at the Orange City Literature Festival in Nagpur, where an auditorium brimming with admirers bore witness to an extraordinary event. The release of the book, attended by a crowd eager to hear Sharma's verses and thoughts, was made even more remarkable by the presence of her husband, the renowned actor Yashpal Sharma. Together, they turned what could have been a routine literary event into an emotionally charged and intellectually stimulating reading session.

Pratibha Sharma and Yashpal Sharma, both alumni of the National School of Drama, have carved distinct niches for themselves in Indian theatre, film, and now literature. Known for their powerful performances on screen and stage, the duo is celebrated for their craft and for their ability to articulate profound truths about society. With Urban Naxal Biwi, Pratibha Sharma takes her expressive genius to new heights, giving voice to the voiceless and challenging entrenched societal norms.

  

A Radical and Revolutionary Collection

Urban Naxal Biwi is not just a book of poetry; it is a manifesto of resistance, a critique of contemporary India, and a heartfelt plea for change. In this collection, Pratibha Sharma confronts the stark realities of modern life—unemployment, disenfranchisement, and the oppressive forces that surround the common man. Her verses are unapologetically radical, stripping bare the helplessness of the people who, despite their despair, have resigned themselves to the violent and coercive forces shaping their destinies. Sharma’s poetry captures this contradiction with biting irony and heart-wrenching poignancy.

But it’s not just political realities that Sharma grapples with. Gender discourse is another cornerstone of her work. In Urban Naxal Biwi, she challenges traditional notions of femininity, questioning the expectations placed on women to conform to roles that prioritize their physical appearance over intellectual capability. Through her poems, she boldly rejects the image of the ideal woman as one who is adorned with jewellery and make-up, and instead envisions a woman spangled with the brilliance of her intellect and creativity.

  

A Session to Remember

At the Orange City Literature Festival, Pratibha Sharma brought her poetry to life in a way only she could. Her reading session was not just a recitation of verses but a performance that blurred the lines between poetry and theatre. Accompanied by Yashpal Sharma, whose commanding presence added depth and gravitas to the occasion, she infused her words with emotion and power. The two actors shared anecdotes, recited selected poems, and engaged in a heartfelt discussion about the intersection of art, politics, and gender in today’s India in a panel discussion preceding the reading, moderated by author and journalist Nandita Puri. The panel, sponsored by the Om Puri Foundation, also had actor Sushmita Mukherjee reminiscing her days at the National School of Drama and the importance of theatre.

Yashpal Sharma’s support for his wife was palpable, and their chemistry on stage mirrored the themes of partnership and equality that run through Pratibha’s work. As he lent his voice to some of her verses, his resonant tone amplified the anguish and defiance embedded in the poetry. Together, they created a moment of artistic synergy that left the audience spellbound.

A Book That Speaks to the Heart

The title Urban Naxal Biwi is provocative, to say the least, but it encapsulates the essence of Sharma’s work—unflinching, fearless, and revolutionary. Her poems demand that readers confront uncomfortable truths, yet they also provide solace in the shared experience of struggle and the hope for change. Radical and revolutionary, her poetry speaks not just to the intellect but to the heart, making her a powerful voice in contemporary Indian literature.

Pratibha Sharma’s ability to weave personal, political, and poetic threads together makes Urban Naxal Biwi a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of modern India. 

You can grab your copy here:

https://www.amazon.in/Urban-Naxal-Biwi-Rajnigandha/dp/8197467994