This was a brief presentation on the Thinkly platform where I shared my perspectives in a live session on the invisible infrastructures and designs behind poems and stories, taking snippets from my own work and reading some aloud. <a href="https://www.amazon.in/stores/Rochelle-Potkar/author/B00GD8EH02" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From my poetry books -</a>Coins in RiversPaper AsylumFour Degrees of Separation <a href="https://www.amazon.in/stores/Rochelle-Potkar/author/B00GD8EH02" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">My books of fiction-</a>Bombay HangoversThe D’Costa FamilyThe Fabric Goddesses Thinkly is a Mumbai-based digital media and microlearning platform founded in 2017 that offers curated content, creator-led publications, and subscription-based insights.https://spaces.thinkly.me/ Bio -Rochelle Potkar is a prize-winning poet, author, playwright, and screenwriter based in Mumbai. Her books in poetry include Four Degrees of Separation, Paper Asylum - shortlisted for the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2020, and Coins in Rivers – shortlisted at The Wise Owl Literary Award 2025 and longlisted for the Sarojini Naidu Poetry Award 2026. Her books in fiction include Bombay Hangovers (also now in Hindi) with her latest novels being The D’Costa Family – a black comedic debut around Goans, greed, and gangsters; and The Fabric Goddesses about three women around the global fashion and garment industry. Alumna of the prestigious Iowa’s International Writing Program, USA and a Charles Wallace Writer’s fellow, University of Stirling, she also teaches poetry online at the Himalayan Writing Retreat. Her short film and feature length scripts have won accolades. @rochellepotkar (X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIN)

This was a brief presentation on the Thinkly platform where I shared my perspectives in a live session on the invisible infrastructures and designs behind poems and stories, taking snippets from my own work and reading some aloud.From my poetry books -Coins in RiversPaper AsylumFour Degrees of SeparationMy books of fiction-Bombay HangoversThe D’Costa FamilyThe Fabric GoddessesThinkly is a Mumbai-based digital media and microlearning platform founded in 2017 that offers curated content, creator-led publications, and subscription-based insights.https://spaces.thinkly.me/Bio -Rochelle Potkar is a prize-winning poet, author, playwright, and screenwriter based in Mumbai. Her books in poetry include Four Degrees of Separation, Paper Asylum - shortlisted for the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2020, and Coins in Rivers – shortlisted at The Wise Owl Literary Award 2025 and longlisted for the Sarojini Naidu Poetry Award 2026. Her books in fiction include Bombay Hangovers (also now in Hindi) with her latest novels being The D’Costa Family – a black comedic debut around Goans, greed, and gangsters; and The Fabric Goddesses about three women around the global fashion and garment industry.Alumna of the prestigious Iowa’s International Writing Program, USA and a Charles Wallace Writer’s fellow, University of Stirling, she also teaches poetry online at the Himalayan Writing Retreat. Her short film and feature length scripts have won accolades. @rochellepotkar (X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIN)

Rochelle's Verandah

Invisible designs behind poems and stories: a presentation on Thinkly

<a href="https://www.carpediemgoa.com/about-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Carpe Diem Art Gallery</a>, Learning Centre and Cafe, Majorda Goa presented for the entire month of March sessions on Women as Storytellers, Makers & Leaders.I was honored to be in an intriguing conversation with Ashok Hegde on the 28th March evening to talk about my novel <a href="https://www.amazon.in/DCosta-Family-Novel-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/B0F8C6G69H/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The D'Costa Family</a>. Very grateful to the inspiring vision of Director Daegal Godinho, Sonia Fernandes, Nicolem and Team for planning, curating, organizing and hosting these sessions so smoothly.Even the four pet dogs barked when the session went overboard.The level of timekeeping was excellent by the pets! Copies of The D'Costa Family and The Fabric Goddesses are available at Carpe Diem - Go grab a copy!

Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Learning Centre and Cafe, Majorda Goa presented for the entire month of March sessions on Women as Storytellers, Makers & Leaders.I was honored to be in an intriguing conversation with Ashok Hegde on the 28th March evening to talk about my novel The D'Costa Family.Very grateful to the inspiring vision of Director Daegal Godinho, Sonia Fernandes, Nicolem and Team for planning, curating, organizing and hosting these sessions so smoothly.Even the four pet dogs barked when the session went overboard.The level of timekeeping was excellent by the pets!Copies of The D'Costa Family and The Fabric Goddesses are available at Carpe Diem - Go grab a copy!

The D'Costa Family at Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Goa [in conversation with Ashok Hegde]

I was invited by Professor Subhash Dhuliya for an online talk on Creative Writing and creating emotionally engaging stories to a cohort of media professionals and journalists (and journalism students). As I reflected over the bridges between the two forms of writing, here is a gist of the whole presentation. I also harked back to references from my latest novel <a href="https://www.amazon.in/DCosta-Family-Novel-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/B0F8C6G69H/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The D'Costa Family</a> and upcoming novel The Fabric Goddesses.

I was invited by Professor Subhash Dhuliya for an online talk on Creative Writing and creating emotionally engaging stories to a cohort of media professionals and journalists (and journalism students).As I reflected over the bridges between the two forms of writing, here is a gist of the whole presentation.I also harked back to references from my latest novel The D'Costa Family and upcoming novel The Fabric Goddesses.

Emotionally Engaging Stories: A Creative Writing talk to Journalists & Media Professionals

What an engaging evening it was thanks to Leonard and Queenie Fernandes & team; Heta Pandit who was in conversation with the author (Rochelle Potkar), and a lively and attentive audience. The Dogears Bookshop, Margao, Goa -Independent bookshop in Goa, India with a wide selection including books from and about Goa and India. They deliver worldwide. You will find signed copies of The D'Costa Family here. Heta Pandit is an author, activist and independent researcher on Goan History, Art, Culture, architecture, and Goan homes. Rochelle Potkar is a prize-winning poet, author, and screenwriter based partly in Mumbai, partly in Goa. About the book - The D'Costa Family -Set in Burgundy House, the D’Costa ancestral home, we are ushered into a world where matriarchs like Rita D'Costa cling to jewels, sons stake their claims, and daughters their dreams.Wickedly funny and lyrical, Rochelle’s prose glimmers even in its darkest turns where graveyards come alive, curry pots stir secrets, and nightmares are never kept — they’re returned with interest. From Bombay to Callian (Kalyan), Calcutta to Goa, the story snakes through inheritance, real estate, faith, and betrayal, giving us characters as unforgettable as their one-liners. You can read a review of the book by Heta Pandit in The Saligão Balcão, Edition 39. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, <a href="https://www.hetapandit.com/contact" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. You can also read a review of the book by Maulee Senapati in The Joao-Roque Literary Journal <a href="https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/review-events-new/tag/The+D%27Costa+Family" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

What an engaging evening it was thanks to Leonard and Queenie Fernandes & team; Heta Pandit who was in conversation with the author (Rochelle Potkar), and a lively and attentive audience.The Dogears Bookshop, Margao, Goa -Independent bookshop in Goa, India with a wide selection including books from and about Goa and India. They deliver worldwide. You will find signed copies of The D'Costa Family here.Heta Pandit is an author, activist and independent researcher on Goan History, Art, Culture, architecture, and Goan homes.Rochelle Potkar is a prize-winning poet, author, and screenwriter based partly in Mumbai, partly in Goa.About the book - The D'Costa Family -Set in Burgundy House, the D’Costa ancestral home, we are ushered into a world where matriarchs like Rita D'Costa cling to jewels, sons stake their claims, and daughters their dreams.Wickedly funny and lyrical, Rochelle’s prose glimmers even in its darkest turns where graveyards come alive, curry pots stir secrets, and nightmares are never kept — they’re returned with interest. From Bombay to Callian (Kalyan), Calcutta to Goa, the story snakes through inheritance, real estate, faith, and betrayal, giving us characters as unforgettable as their one-liners.You can read a review of the book by Heta Pandit in The Saligão Balcão, Edition 39. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, here.You can also read a review of the book by Maulee Senapati in The Joao-Roque Literary Journal here.

Book launch: The D'Costa Family, Dogears Bookshop, Goa

Mumbai's Topography: panel discussion was part of The Neighbourhood Festival 2025 curated by 3 Art House and Fictionary, held at Fictionary Bookstore.On the panel were Naresh Fernandes and Rochelle Potkar, moderated by Ekta Bhandari, Co-founder of Read-a-Kitaab. Brief bios -3 Art House provides accessible space and quality exposure to build art & culture. Fictionary - India's first fiction bookstore cafe, Bandra. Read-a-Kitaab - An unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library. Naresh Fernandes - a Mumbai based journalist and author. He is the editor of Scroll.in, a digital daily. His books include Bombay, Meri Jaan. Rochelle Potkar - prize-winning poet, author, screenwriter. Her latest book is a black comedy nove - The D'Costa Family. These books are available at Fictionary.

Mumbai's Topography: panel discussion was part of The Neighbourhood Festival 2025 curated by 3 Art House and Fictionary, held at Fictionary Bookstore.On the panel were Naresh Fernandes and Rochelle Potkar, moderated by Ekta Bhandari, Co-founder of Read-a-Kitaab.Brief bios -3 Art House provides accessible space and quality exposure to build art & culture.Fictionary - India's first fiction bookstore cafe, Bandra.Read-a-Kitaab - An unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library.Naresh Fernandes - a Mumbai based journalist and author. He is the editor of Scroll.in, a digital daily. His books include Bombay, Meri Jaan.Rochelle Potkar - prize-winning poet, author, screenwriter. Her latest book is a black comedy nove - The D'Costa Family.These books are available at Fictionary.

Mumbai's Topography: panel discussion at The Neighbourhood Festival 2025

The book launch of <a href="https://www.amazon.in/DCosta-Family-Novel-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/B0F8C6G69H/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The D'Costa Family </a>on 6 August 2025 was beyond expectations with a house full of enthused and engaged audience at Little Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai - and an audience interaction with such positive energy that it made for a memorable evening. This is the recording of the conversation between Rochelle Potkar (author of The D'Costa Family) and Smita Sahay, Editor-in-Chief, <a href="https://usawa.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Usawa Literary Review</a>. About the Book -Set in the vibrant Goan-Indian milieu, the book introduces us to the riotous D'Costas - a family as outrageous as they are unforgettable. At the center is matriarch Rita D'Costa, navigating betrayal, secrets, and reconciliation with wicked humour and unflinching honesty. With Potkar's signature blend of lyricism and wit, the narrative explores themes of family dysfunction, cultural legacy, and feminine agency.(The book is available on Amazon and at a few select bookshops.) Usawa Literary Review celebrated its 7th anniversary.Usawa is a bi-annual English language literary magazine dedicated to feminist literature and writings by and about underrepresented communities. We publish poetry, fiction, nonfiction, reviews and interviews that question hierarchies, hegemonies and naturalized biases. This evening started with dramatic readings by Neeta Doshi and Digant Sharma (artists and storytellers) and followed with this conversation. Curated by - Dr. Sujata Jadhav - Head – Libraries and Documentation Centre, NCPANCPA’s Page to Stage Literary Initiative is a unique platform by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Page to Stage is dedicated to celebrating the written word through performance. It offers authors and poets an opportunity to bring their work to life, transforming literature into engaging staged experiences that connect with diverse audiences.

The book launch of The D'Costa Family on 6 August 2025 was beyond expectations with a house full of enthused and engaged audience at Little Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai - and an audience interaction with such positive energy that it made for a memorable evening.This is the recording of the conversation between Rochelle Potkar (author of The D'Costa Family) and Smita Sahay, Editor-in-Chief, Usawa Literary Review.About the Book -Set in the vibrant Goan-Indian milieu, the book introduces us to the riotous D'Costas - a family as outrageous as they are unforgettable. At the center is matriarch Rita D'Costa, navigating betrayal, secrets, and reconciliation with wicked humour and unflinching honesty. With Potkar's signature blend of lyricism and wit, the narrative explores themes of family dysfunction, cultural legacy, and feminine agency.(The book is available on Amazon and at a few select bookshops.)Usawa Literary Review celebrated its 7th anniversary.Usawa is a bi-annual English language literary magazine dedicated to feminist literature and writings by and about underrepresented communities. We publish poetry, fiction, nonfiction, reviews and interviews that question hierarchies, hegemonies and naturalized biases.This evening started with dramatic readings by Neeta Doshi and Digant Sharma (artists and storytellers) and followed with this conversation.Curated by - Dr. Sujata Jadhav - Head – Libraries and Documentation Centre, NCPANCPA’s Page to Stage Literary Initiative is a unique platform by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Page to Stage is dedicated to celebrating the written word through performance. It offers authors and poets an opportunity to bring their work to life, transforming literature into engaging staged experiences that connect with diverse audiences.

Book Launch: The D'Costa Family: In conversation with Smita Sahay

Monalisa Joshi hosts a fun conversations around my latest novel <a href="https://www.amazon.in/DCosta-Family-Novel-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/B0F8C6G69H/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The D'Costa Family </a>and the Writing Life. About the book - The Goan Indian D'Costa family descends into glorious chaos after patriarch Don Theodore's death. His widow Rita, who never loved him, launches a campaign to install their gravedigger son Jason as the new Don, bribing tenants, and manipulating family members. Meanwhile, her pregnant daughter-in-law Annette juggles a secret lover, stolen jewelry, and an accidental shooting, while Inspector Gaitonde - allergic to family drama - stumbles upon the D'Costas' most absurd secret beneath Jason's manicured graveyard. As real estate schemes collapse, guns are mishandled, and a Catholic-Hindu wedding spirals into hullabaloo, Rita recognizes the madness of the patriarchal power game she had been playing, finding unexpected solidarity with the tenants she once chose to exploit. The D'Costa Family is a wild ride packed with over-the-top characters and crazy twists that come fast and unexpected - sometimes emotional, sometimes macabre, but always gripping. 'A darkly comedic family caper filled with gangsters, gold, and Goan grit, The D’Costa Family is a madcap saga of greed, deception, and one last shot at legacy.' -- Jesal Shah, Filmmaker 'From the very first page, the story keeps you hooked, filled with dark humor, warmth, and an undeniable charm.' - Priyanka Tanwar, Filmmaker 'Rochelle masterfully crafts each character with such rich detail that they leap off the page, making their world impossible to resist.' - Namrata, Literary Consultant ‘Potkar’s eclectic prose allows the metaphors to flow, the setting to flourish, and connections to deepen.’ - Keith Correa, Academic & Editor ‘Potkar also brings forward the story of women in a household and their roles across generations.’ – Sukaina Majeed, Book Blogger. 'Rochelle masterfully crafts each character with such rich detail that they leap off the page, making their world impossible to resist.' - Namrata, Literary ConsultantRochelle’s sense of humour is crazy, sinister, macabre even. Listen to this: “Had it been any other occasion, she would have nitpicked on how badly the priest invoked the Lord. But the more Theodore’s history was muddled up with, the better, she felt.” And, “not all in the church had come to grieve his death. Some had come to assure themselves he was gone.” – Heta Pandit, author, activist, independent researcher on Goan Culture. Chrysanthemum Chronicles (@ch_chronicles) helmed by Monalisa Joshi is an Indian Contemporary Publishing House that publishes books on Prose, Poetry, Interviews, Cover Stories and Coffee Table Books.

Monalisa Joshi hosts a fun conversations around my latest novel The D'Costa Family and the Writing Life.About the book -The Goan Indian D'Costa family descends into glorious chaos after patriarch Don Theodore's death. His widow Rita, who never loved him, launches a campaign to install their gravedigger son Jason as the new Don, bribing tenants, and manipulating family members. Meanwhile, her pregnant daughter-in-law Annette juggles a secret lover, stolen jewelry, and an accidental shooting, while Inspector Gaitonde - allergic to family drama - stumbles upon the D'Costas' most absurd secret beneath Jason's manicured graveyard. As real estate schemes collapse, guns are mishandled, and a Catholic-Hindu wedding spirals into hullabaloo, Rita recognizes the madness of the patriarchal power game she had been playing, finding unexpected solidarity with the tenants she once chose to exploit. The D'Costa Family is a wild ride packed with over-the-top characters and crazy twists that come fast and unexpected - sometimes emotional, sometimes macabre, but always gripping.'A darkly comedic family caper filled with gangsters, gold, and Goan grit, The D’Costa Family is a madcap saga of greed, deception, and one last shot at legacy.' -- Jesal Shah, Filmmaker'From the very first page, the story keeps you hooked, filled with dark humor, warmth, and an undeniable charm.' - Priyanka Tanwar, Filmmaker'Rochelle masterfully crafts each character with such rich detail that they leap off the page, making their world impossible to resist.' - Namrata, Literary Consultant‘Potkar’s eclectic prose allows the metaphors to flow, the setting to flourish, and connections to deepen.’ - Keith Correa, Academic & Editor‘Potkar also brings forward the story of women in a household and their roles across generations.’ – Sukaina Majeed, Book Blogger.'Rochelle masterfully crafts each character with such rich detail that they leap off the page, making their world impossible to resist.' - Namrata, Literary ConsultantRochelle’s sense of humour is crazy, sinister, macabre even. Listen to this: “Had it been any other occasion, she would have nitpicked on how badly the priest invoked the Lord. But the more Theodore’s history was muddled up with, the better, she felt.” And, “not all in the church had come to grieve his death. Some had come to assure themselves he was gone.” – Heta Pandit, author, activist, independent researcher on Goan Culture.Chrysanthemum Chronicles (@ch_chronicles) helmed by Monalisa Joshi is an Indian Contemporary Publishing House that publishes books on Prose, Poetry, Interviews, Cover Stories and Coffee Table Books.

Book Talk on The D'Costa Family by Chrysanthemum Chronicles

In Conversation with Ekta Bhandari, Anurag Kothari, and Kalpak Chavan of Read A Kitaab on my debut novel - <a href="https://www.amazon.in/DCosta-Family-Novel-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/B0F8C6G69H" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The D'Costa Family.</a> The Goan Indian D'Costa family descends into glorious chaos after patriarch Don Theodore's death. His widow Rita, who never loved him, launches a campaign to install their gravedigger son Jason as the new Don, bribing tenants, and manipulating family members. Meanwhile, her pregnant daughter-in-law Annette juggles a secret lover, stolen jewelry, and an accidental shooting, while Inspector Gaitonde - allergic to family drama - stumbles upon the D'Costas' most absurd secret beneath Jason's manicured graveyard. As real estate schemes collapse, guns are mishandled, and a Catholic-Hindu wedding spirals into hullabaloo, Rita recognizes the madness of the patriarchal power game she had been playing, finding unexpected solidarity with the tenants she once chose to exploit. <a href="https://www.amazon.in/DCosta-Family-Novel-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/B0F8C6G69H" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The D'Costa Family</a> is a wild ride packed with over-the-top characters and crazy twists that come fast and unexpected - sometimes emotional, sometimes macabre, but always gripping. 'A darkly comedic family caper filled with gangsters, gold, and Goan grit, The D’Costa Family is a madcap saga of greed, deception, and one last shot at legacy.' -- Jesal Shah, Filmmaker 'From the very first page, the story keeps you hooked, filled with dark humor, warmth, and an undeniable charm.' - Priyanka Tanwar, Filmmaker 'Rochelle masterfully crafts each character with such rich detail that they leap off the page, making their world impossible to resist.' - Namrata, Literary Consultant *** Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/readakitaab/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(26, 13, 171);">(@readakitaab)</a>

In Conversation with Ekta Bhandari, Anurag Kothari, and Kalpak Chavan of Read A Kitaab on my debut novel - The D'Costa Family.The Goan Indian D'Costa family descends into glorious chaos after patriarch Don Theodore's death. His widow Rita, who never loved him, launches a campaign to install their gravedigger son Jason as the new Don, bribing tenants, and manipulating family members. Meanwhile, her pregnant daughter-in-law Annette juggles a secret lover, stolen jewelry, and an accidental shooting, while Inspector Gaitonde - allergic to family drama - stumbles upon the D'Costas' most absurd secret beneath Jason's manicured graveyard. As real estate schemes collapse, guns are mishandled, and a Catholic-Hindu wedding spirals into hullabaloo, Rita recognizes the madness of the patriarchal power game she had been playing, finding unexpected solidarity with the tenants she once chose to exploit. The D'Costa Family is a wild ride packed with over-the-top characters and crazy twists that come fast and unexpected - sometimes emotional, sometimes macabre, but always gripping.'A darkly comedic family caper filled with gangsters, gold, and Goan grit, The D’Costa Family is a madcap saga of greed, deception, and one last shot at legacy.' -- Jesal Shah, Filmmaker'From the very first page, the story keeps you hooked, filled with dark humor, warmth, and an undeniable charm.' - Priyanka Tanwar, Filmmaker'Rochelle masterfully crafts each character with such rich detail that they leap off the page, making their world impossible to resist.' - Namrata, Literary Consultant***Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library. (@readakitaab)

Book Launch: The D'Costa Family by Read A Kitaab

While at the Indo-Danish Kurindan International Writing Residency 2024, curated and directed by Claus Ankersen, two participants: Lærke Helene Askholm and Rochelle Potkar informally chat about their literary journeys. Bio notes -Lærke Helene Askholm is a Danish writer and singer. She writes fiction, non-fiction, lyrics, and creative texts for music and films. She holds a B.A. in International Corporate Communications as well as a M.A. in Social Work. In 2023 she published ‘Ude ved postkassen’, (Outside by the Mailbox), an illustrated collection of fiction texts on growing up speaking to young and adult readers alike. Her second book of fiction, ‘Andalucia in My Eyes’ (Andalucia i mit blik) is currently under publication. Rochelle Potkar is a poet, author, and screenwriter based in Mumbai. Her books include: Four Degrees of Separation, Paper Asylum, Bombay Hangovers, and Coins in Rivers.

While at the Indo-Danish Kurindan International Writing Residency 2024, curated and directed by Claus Ankersen, two participants: Lærke Helene Askholm and Rochelle Potkar informally chat about their literary journeys.Bio notes -Lærke Helene Askholm is a Danish writer and singer. She writes fiction, non-fiction, lyrics, and creative texts for music and films. She holds a B.A. in International Corporate Communications as well as a M.A. in Social Work. In 2023 she published ‘Ude ved postkassen’, (Outside by the Mailbox), an illustrated collection of fiction texts on growing up speaking to young and adult readers alike. Her second book of fiction, ‘Andalucia in My Eyes’ (Andalucia i mit blik) is currently under publication.Rochelle Potkar is a poet, author, and screenwriter based in Mumbai. Her books include: Four Degrees of Separation, Paper Asylum, Bombay Hangovers, and Coins in Rivers.

2 writers from Denmark and India discuss their work

As Saritha told the audience at the @madrasbookclub, she had 2 confessions to make.One that she knew me (aka) @rochellepotkar for 20 years. So the evening was a conversation between friends as it was a discussion about my book of poetry, Coins in Rivers.Two, she didn't normally read poetry. She felt Poetry was subjective both to the poet as well as the reader, and Indian schools have done a disservice by teaching poetry as a subject for scoring marks instead of teaching us how to appreciate it and relate to it based on our own life experiences.So what a wonderful time was had between poet and non-reader of poetry talking about words and imagery and verses and lines. When Rochelle read/performed her poem, Harry Mendonsa, it was a revelation about how poetry can be read. 'Pav' was a Haibun that showed Saritha and the audience layers of thought in a limited word count. 'Toys of Chitrakoot' was a telling commentary on capitalism.Saritha concluded:'I may, after all, have learned there's more to poetry than just the rhyming and structure that I remember from my school days.'*It was lovely to meet Sivakami Velliangiri and Chandramohan Naidu and everyone else. Maya Sharma Sriram was sorely missed. *The next day saw book-signing events at Higginbotham and Odyssey bookstores. You will find an author-signed copy of Coins in Rivers if you drop by these bookstores.

As Saritha told the audience at the @madrasbookclub, she had 2 confessions to make.One that she knew me (aka) @rochellepotkar for 20 years. So the evening was a conversation between friends as it was a discussion about my book of poetry, Coins in Rivers.Two, she didn't normally read poetry. She felt Poetry was subjective both to the poet as well as the reader, and Indian schools have done a disservice by teaching poetry as a subject for scoring marks instead of teaching us how to appreciate it and relate to it based on our own life experiences.So what a wonderful time was had between poet and non-reader of poetry talking about words and imagery and verses and lines. When Rochelle read/performed her poem, Harry Mendonsa, it was a revelation about how poetry can be read. 'Pav' was a Haibun that showed Saritha and the audience layers of thought in a limited word count. 'Toys of Chitrakoot' was a telling commentary on capitalism.Saritha concluded:'I may, after all, have learned there's more to poetry than just the rhyming and structure that I remember from my school days.'*It was lovely to meet Sivakami Velliangiri and Chandramohan Naidu and everyone else. Maya Sharma Sriram was sorely missed. *The next day saw book-signing events at Higginbotham and Odyssey bookstores. You will find an author-signed copy of Coins in Rivers if you drop by these bookstores. 

Conversation with Saritha Rao @Madras Book Club, Chennai over Coins in Rivers (poetry book)

What a pleasure it was to be in conversation with poet Poornima Laxmeshwar over <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Coins-Rivers-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/9357314970" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coins in Rivers</a> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/hachette_india/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@hachette_india</a>) at Atta Galatta, Bengaluru, on 14 September 2024, amid a rapt audience.Thank you Poornima for your Ph. D-like questions on the poems. Also, thanking the very receptive audience and the bookstore team - Prerna Prakash and Siddharth for coordinating this effectively.

What a pleasure it was to be in conversation with poet Poornima Laxmeshwar over Coins in Rivers (@hachette_india) at Atta Galatta, Bengaluru, on 14 September 2024, amid a rapt audience.Thank you Poornima for your Ph. D-like questions on the poems.Also, thanking the very receptive audience and the bookstore team - Prerna Prakash and Siddharth for coordinating this effectively.

Conversation with Poornima Laxmeshwar over Coins in Rivers @Atta Galatta, Bengaluru

A conversation over <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Coins-Rivers-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/9357314970/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coins in Rivers </a>with Dr. Rashmi Lee George and the faculty and students of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai was full of fun, insight, and quirk. I enjoyed questions from both faculty and students and how they read my poems in a constellation in class. I shared thoughts and views on creative writing and the journeys and processes of Poetry. Interacting with bright and brilliant minds is always energizing. What a wonderful morning spent in Mumbai with Poetry!

A conversation over Coins in Rivers with Dr. Rashmi Lee George and the faculty and students of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai was full of fun, insight, and quirk. I enjoyed questions from both faculty and students and how they read my poems in a constellation in class. I shared thoughts and views on creative writing and the journeys and processes of Poetry. Interacting with bright and brilliant minds is always energizing. What a wonderful morning spent in Mumbai with Poetry!

Book Talk at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai over Coins in Rivers

It was a well-researched conversation that Nicole Suares had with me over <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Coins-Rivers-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/9357314970/ref=sr_1_1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coins in Rivers</a> (Hachette India) at the Broadway Book Centre, Panjim, Goa.Govind Potekar later wrote about it in<a href="https://epaper.heraldgoa.in/article/oHeraldo?OrgId=662678afc2&imageview=0&standalone=1&device=desktop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> O Herald</a>. My most stunning moment was to see Manohar Shetty and Devika Sequeira at the launch.

It was a well-researched conversation that Nicole Suares had with me over Coins in Rivers (Hachette India) at the Broadway Book Centre, Panjim, Goa.Govind Potekar later wrote about it in O Herald.My most stunning moment was to see Manohar Shetty and Devika Sequeira at the launch.

Conversation with Nicole Suares at Broadway Bookstore, Panjim Goa on Coins in Rivers

Poet and academician Dr. Bhawna Vij Arora was in conversation with me on 20 May morning at Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS), Delhi after an invitation by dean Dr. Salonee Priya.Presenting my points of view and my poems from<a href="https://www.amazon.in/Coins-Rivers-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/9357314970/" target="_blank"> Coins in Rivers</a> and speaking to Bhawna's many questions for collegians - the young of heart and mind, and the faculty members of VIPS was energizing.

Poet and academician Dr. Bhawna Vij Arora was in conversation with me on 20 May morning at Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS), Delhi after an invitation by dean Dr. Salonee Priya.Presenting my points of view and my poems from Coins in Rivers and speaking to Bhawna's many questions for collegians - the young of heart and mind, and the faculty members of VIPS was energizing. 

Coins in Rivers: A Conversation with Bhawna Vij Arora at VIPS, Delhi (May 2024)

With the mesmerizing and iconic researcher, curator, co-founder of the Goa Heritage Action Group, writer, and poet Heta Pandit whose unique gleanings and questions shaped our discussion on my poetry book launch of <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Coins-Rivers-Rochelle-Potkar/dp/9357314970/" target="_blank">Coins in Rivers</a> at The Dogear’s Bookshop Margao, Goa - this was an evening to remember. Also, the audience was rapt and attentive, very engaged, and had scores of remarks, questions, and comments. Thank you, Leonard and Queenie Fernandes.

With the mesmerizing and iconic researcher, curator, co-founder of the Goa Heritage Action Group, writer, and poet Heta Pandit whose unique gleanings and questions shaped our discussion on my poetry book launch of Coins in Rivers at The Dogear’s Bookshop Margao, Goa - this was an evening to remember. Also, the audience was rapt and attentive, very engaged, and had scores of remarks, questions, and comments.Thank you, Leonard and Queenie Fernandes.

Coins in Rivers: Book Launch: In Conversation with Heta Pandit (at Dogears Bookshop, Goa)

Readings of poetry and short stories by Rochelle Potkar from her books Paper Asylum, Four Degrees of Separation, Bombay Hangovers, and other works. This podcast reflects on love, life & relationships.

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Rochelle's Verandah

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