EACH PAGE IS A PORTAL

Name: Renée Sarojini Saklikar. Sarojini means “In the folds of the lotus”. My paternal grandparents named me and the family legend says that they put honey on my forehead to attract good karma and bees (that wouldn’t sting!). I have always been fascinated by bees. And I love the lotus flower. 

Currently: My new book, Bramah’s Quest, an epic fantasy in verse is just out. The year is 2087 and planet earth is ravaged by accelerated climate change and global and local inequality. Themes: climate change, global and local inequality. (See review on page 24.)  

My life in 50 words (or less!): I was born in Pune/Poona and have lived in provinces across Canada. Grateful to be in Vancouver on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples. Trained as a lawyer, I write poetry, essays and short fiction. I teach creative writing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

The writer in me took flight when: I enrolled in The Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University: it changed my life by introducing me to a diverse range of genres and authors.

The poet in me wishes: To allow enough space and time in my life for sounds, images, rhythm, and magic.

The lawyer in me wants to: Understand how governments and public service can help people to live a more just and sustainable way on this planet.

My favourite line in poetry: “Each page is a portal.”

Favourite colours: Soft fall colours and always, pink! 

Favourite designer: Current fav, Ragni Agarwal. 

Favourite movie: I just started watching Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) quite by chance and fell in love with the story line; especially because of my own background which weaves together multi-faith cultures. 

Favourite singers: Always in my heart: Aretha Franklin, Chrissy Hynde, and yes, Julie Andrews!

Favourite songs: Respect (Aretha Franklin); Back on the Chain Gang (Chrissy Hynde); and blushing, pretty much the entire soundtrack from The Sound of Music.

Favourite TV shows: Great British Bake Off and Great Canadian Baking Show. 

Favourite ice cream flavour: Chocolate/Blackberry gelato. It’s a treat because I am lactose intolerant.  

Favourite cuisine: Simple, plain food with a bit of punch. Favourite dish: baked salmon and brown rice. To mix it up: mango chutney. Sometimes I dream of the puris my late mother would make; and the tiny perfect samosas my late aunt would pack up and send, Mississauga to Vancouver.  

Favourite restaurant: My local public golf course, Fraserview, in south Vancouver, has a great patio restaurant with splendid views.

Favourite sports: I confess to Zumba dancing at my local community rec centre. Used to be obsessed with hot yoga pre-pandemic. One day I’ll get back there. New to me: learning to swim again at our local outdoor pool in beautiful Central Park, Burnaby, B.C  

Favourite sportsperson: Christine Sinclair! 

Favourite author: Impossible to answer this but always Amitav Ghosh.  

Favourite activities: Anything out of doors, especially walking, dancing, yoga, swimming. Oh yes, and jotting down notes and/or speaking into my iPhone when lines of poetry come to me. (harder when in the pool!).   

I hang out: Not enough time these days to just chill.  

I’m freaked out by: Pretty much anything: as an empath, the trials and tribulations of this fragile planet can be overwhelming. Music and making poetry help.    

I need: Space and time to process all the images that my imagination brings me. It’s a gift.   

My role models: My late parents for the way they instilled a sense of service to others, even in tough times. Plus, the characters I’ve created in my epic fantasy in verse are compilations of people who inspire and sometimes even terrify. I’ve been blessed with getting to know wonderful teachers and community leaders.  

Tips to save the planet: Listen to the bees. 

In a perfect world: I’m swimming and dancing, with time and space to make poetry and to be with the ones I love. May it be so. Shanti!

More at thotjbap.com.  

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