I’m always on the lookout for good literature in English which originates outside the usual sources like the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. I was delighted when I found Tistarangit: First Online Literary Magazine of Sikkim, which is published in Sikkim, a state within India with a very interesting history. Here you will find essays, fiction, and poetry translated into English. The following is taken from a poem called The Expanding Universe by Rajendra Bhandari.
“From where I stand
the graveyard is nearer than my home.
The noonday shadow
under my foot
stretches in the afternoon.
Everything is running farther:
Mother’s embraces, Father’s blessing,
the childhood landscapes
the playground of my youth
the bamboo groves.”
Please go and read the entire poem and take some time to explore this site. From what I gather, establishing this magazine is a big step for the people of this small state. It’s also a fascinating window into a different culture which is making big strides into the larger literary scene.
A Bunch of Wordz 