At a recent session of An Author’s Afternoon, Prabha Khaitan Foundation welcomed professor, poet and scholar Bashabi Fraser for a cosy discussion about her new book, Habitat, her life’s greatest influences, and more. Fraser was in conversation with Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director of the British Council in East and Northeast India.
It has been two years since Fraser was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the United Kingdom, though her astonishment over receiving that honour still remains. Remembering that moment from 2021, Fraser shared with the audience her initial shock upon hearing the news. However, those who know Fraser are unlikely to have a difficult time believing her achievement. As a lecturer and an academic of global renown and the author of several books and scholarly and artistic publications, Fraser has left indelible marks on academia and the creative sphere. Now, two years since receiving the CBE honour, she has published a new book titled Habitat — an anthology of poetry that delves into the idea of one’s environment and surroundings.
The conversation began with Fraser talking about the four men in her life who have inspired her. She mentioned her father as one of the most significant influences, as he gave her the confidence and inspiration to pursue her goals. Describing her father’s presence in her life, Fraser said, “My father, who’s presently 92, is a feminist. So, I’ve never felt the restrictions of patriarchy because of Baba. He continues to be my inspiration because, at 92, he’s still writing. Right now, he’s writing on climate change. He is very gentle. He has no male ego. He has no temper.” Neil, her spouse, was the antithesis of the quintessential “macho man” that is the product of a patriarchal society. It was this modesty and kindness that attracted Fraser to him.
However, Fraser’s best friend since childhood and British Council officer at the time, Julian Dakin, was the one who shaped her the most. Fraser’s early love for literature might be attributed to Dakin, who frequently brought her poetry books and supported her artistic endeavours. When asked about the identity of the fourth man in her life, Fraser replied with a grin, “My grandson.”
The conversation then turned to her work on Rabindranath Tagore and Patrick Geddes. Fraser described the remarkable friendship between the two multi-faceted scholars in her works, A Confluence of Minds: The Rabindranath Tagore and Patrick Geddes Reader on Education and Environment and A Meeting of Two Minds: Geddes-Tagore Letters. Fraser noted that Patrick Geddes deserves special recognition for his reverence and regard for India, alongside his close relationship with Tagore. Among other things, Geddes supported sustainable architecture and multidisciplinary education. Although he was unable to stay back in India, he sent his son, the geographer Arthur Geddes, to Shantiniketan. The senior Geddes was a social progressive who had a deep regard for India at the grassroots level, which is why he should never be forgotten. Fraser summed him up, “Geddes was a social scientist, a liberal humanist and a lover of the outdoors.”
The dialogue was interspersed with Fraser reading a few poems from her anthology, and the discussion gradually shifted towards one’s habitat and living circumstances. Fraser talked about migration and the policies surrounding immigration to various countries, saying, “I don’t believe in walls or barriers. Interestingly, we talk about immigrants as if they’re criminals. But humans have been migrating since time immemorial. So, why are we criminalising immigrants today? Why are we destroying their forests and croplands and changing the climate? Why do we take the water from Palestine and build a green Israel and then wonder why the Palestinians want to leave? Religion should never be the basis of belonging. Every human being should be judged for what they can contribute to society. I think immigrants build countries. Who is the West to stop immigrants? They all have their settler colonies.”
Sangeeta Datta, Ehsaas Woman of London, offered the vote of thanks on behalf of the Foundation. The event ended with a rich Q&A session with the audience and Deb Narayan Bandyopadhyay felicitating the guests.