https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Amitabh_MitraAmitabh Mitra - Revision history2026-07-31T06:20:53ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Amitabh_Mitra&diff=152857&oldid=previmported>Shubhoshreemitra at 07:16, 20 August 20212021-08-20T07:16:30Z<p></p>
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{{Infobox person <br />
| name = Amitabh Mitra<br/>অমিতাভ মিত্র<br />
| image = Dr. Amitabh Mitra Physician Poet Artist South Africa.JPG<br />
| image_size = 200px<br />
| caption = Amitabh Mitra<br />
| birth_date = <br />
| birth_place = <br />
| death_date = <br />
| death_place = <br />
| nationality = South Africa<br />
| occupation = Physician<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Amitabh Mitra''' ({{lang-bn|অমিতাভ মিত্র}}) is an Indian-born South African physician, poet and artist, whose paintings depict dramatised stick figures.<br />
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==Education and career==<br />
Mitra studied medicine and did postgraduate studies in [[orthopaedic surgery]] at the [[Gajara Raja Medical College]], [[Jiwaji University]], [[Gwalior]], India. He further specialised in [[aerospace medicine]] and [[family medicine]] at the [[University of Pretoria]], South Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boloji.com/poetry/articles/025.htm | title=A Chat by Ramendra Kumar}}</ref><br />
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A practitioner of [[orthopaedic surgery]] and [[trauma surgery]], currently working at the Accident and Emergency unit of Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, [[Mdantsane]], South Africa, he has published five volumes of poetry and exhibited his poetry art. Mitra figures in the international roster of physician poets, a massive roster of ancient and contemporary poets / writers maintained by Daniel Bryant and assisted by Suzanne Poirer, Professor of Literature and Medical Education, [[University of Illinois]], USA<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.med.nyu.edu/library/eresources/featuredcollections/bryant/bioshm.html#MITRA |title=Bryant Collection – Physician Roster |access-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527010110/http://library.med.nyu.edu/library/eresources/featuredcollections/bryant/bioshm.html#MITRA |archive-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He represented South Africa at the World Literature Festival in [[Oslo]] 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://du-store-verden.no/index.php?topic=02/dsv2008/150/contributors&page=2 | title= Participation World Literature Festival, Oslo}}</ref> Amitabh Mitra is listed in 78 Notable Alumni of [[University of Pretoria]]<br />
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edurank.org/uni/university-of-pretoria/alumni/ |title=78 Notable Alumni of University of Pretoria}}</ref><br />
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==Artistic influences==<br />
[[File:Mdantsane tembeka.jpg|thumb|Tembeka, A watercolor on a handmade paper by Amitabh Mitra]]<br />
A major section of Mitra's work on art and poetry is devoted to [[Gwalior]], where he grew up. His close friendship with the Maratha royal families resulted in his drawing a series of watercolour involving poetry which he exhibited in South Africa and [[India]]. ''A Slow Train to Gwalior'' is a coffee-table book of his art and poetry; a compact disc of his recitation with a backdrop of African traditional music was released by the Premier of Eastern Cape, [[Nosimo Balindlela]], and a short documentary film on his Gwalior poetry was shown at the [[Grahamstown]] [[National Arts Festival]] in 2009. In 2007 he was invited by the [[Sahitya Akademi]], New Delhi, where he presented his work to a poetry-loving audience.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/article1177634.ece | title=The Hindu | location=Chennai, India | date=12 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ajthomas.in/gallery/?album=1&gallery=1 | title=At Sahitya Akademi, Delhi}}</ref><br />
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==As surgeon==<br />
Mitra's work in trauma surgery took him to [[Bhutan]], where he worked at high-altitude hospitals of Chukha, Tsimalakha, Chimakothi and [[Thimphu]] under severe conditions. During these times he wrote poems about Bhutan, some of which were translated into French.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://poesiedumonde.com/category/asie/bhutan/ |title=Bhutan,Thimphu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608040020/http://poesiedumonde.com/category/asie/bhutan/ |archive-date=8 June 2011 }}</ref> He wrote about his adventures in his search for the utopian Shangri La.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boloji.com/literature/00128.htm |title=The Search for Shangri-La |access-date=26 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114043224/http://boloji.com/literature/00128.htm |archive-date=14 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://psjk.homestead.com/Bhutan.html |title=In Bhutan}}</ref><br />
[[Khushwant Singh]], the former editor of ''[[The Illustrated Weekly of India]]'' visited him to his hospital in Bhutan and wrote about him in his weekly columns, "With Malice Towards One and All" in the ''[[Times of India]]'' during the 1980s. Mitra later went to [[Arunachal Pradesh]], where he joined as an orthopaedic surgeon at [[Along, Arunachal Pradesh|Along]].<br />
He joined as an orthopaedic surgeon at [[Bulawayo]], [[Zimbabwe]], in 1993. He lived in Bulawayo's Mzilikazi township and narrated his experiences during the time of political turmoil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boloji.com/memoirs/053.htm |title=Remembering Zimbabwe of Old |access-date=26 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114201502/http://www.boloji.com/memoirs/053.htm |archive-date=14 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
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==As artist==<br />
His present art is about the black township of [[Mdantsane]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.southafricanartists.com/showartist.asp?Code=MITRA001 |title= South African Artists}}</ref> where he works at the [[Cecilia Makiwane Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://desicritics.org/2009/03/01/103634.php |title=Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Symbol of Hope and Courage in South Africa |access-date=26 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619232159/http://desicritics.org/2009/03/01/103634.php |archive-date=19 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=[[Daily Dispatch]] |url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=385484 |title=Journey through Mdantsane |last=Hennop |first=Jan |date=11 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615142054/http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=385484 |archive-date=15 June 2011 }}</ref><br />
''Mdantsane Breathing'' is his book on the art and poetry of Mdantsane. <br />
<br />
On 15 December 2018, Mitra received the Provincial Eastern Cape Minister of Art and Culture's Special Award in the category of Fine Arts for his continued dedication to South African Arts. <br />
<br />
Mitra gifted the charcoal portrait done by him of [[Neil Aggett]] on 21 March 2019 at the 13th Annual Neil Aggett Memorial Lecture at Kingswood College, Grahamstown. The lecture takes place each year to celebrate the life of Aggett and to honour his legacy. Mitra was a special guest at this year’s lecture as he presented the school with a charcoal drawing that he drew of Aggett. This drawing is one very few visual representations of Aggett and will be displayed in the Kingswood College Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kingswoodcollege.com/2019/03/21/13th-annual-neil-aggett-memorial-lecture/|title=13th Annual Neil Aggett Memorial Lecture}}</ref><br />
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The [[University of Cape Town]] honors and commemorates woman heroes of anti-apartheid struggle which includes [[Cecilia Makiwane]]. A charcoal portrait of [[Cecilia Makiwane]] done by Mitra was exhibited at the Molly Blackburn Hall, University of Cape Town campus on 19 September 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2019-09-20-rethinking-art-at-uct|title=Rethinking Art at UCT}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilamagazine.net/post/poet-artist-dr-amitabh-mitra?fbclid=IwAR1zfH6B0qcLff17dqCBM33glTditR8VKeAfCqwp0A5bF26D1_rhs8D3rHg |title=Visual Art of Poet, Artist, Dr. Amitabh Mitra}}</ref><br />
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The 2021 National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, South Africa honored Dr. Mitra by making a short film on his visual art and reasons for fusing Arts with Medicine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/dsrac-craft/|title=Craft Matters, A Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Initiative}}</ref><br />
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==As poet==<br />
He translated the [[Bengali language|Bengali]] poetry of the late Prabhatkiran Bose, well known children's author in [[Bengal]] during the 1950s.<ref>{{ cite web |url=http://othervoicespoetry.org/vol38/bose/poetry.html |title=Like the bird who flew, Poetry of Prabhatkiran Bose |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001010531/http://othervoicespoetry.org/vol38/bose/poetry.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{ cite web |url=http://othervoicespoetry.org/vol38/bose/bio.html |title=Translation of Prabhatkiran Bose's Bangla Poetry |access-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001010603/http://othervoicespoetry.org/vol38/bose/bio.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
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Mitra's art and poetry on the township of Mdantsane, South Africa, was exhibited at the 2011 International Symposium for Poetry and Medicine and [[Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine]] Awards on Saturday, 7 May 2011, entitled ''Poems from Cecilia Makiwane Hospital''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://go.warwick.ac.uk/cpt/poetry/symp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712233043/http://go.warwick.ac.uk/cpt/poetry/symp |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-12 |title=2011 International Symposium for Poetry and Medicine, University of Warwick, UK }}</ref><ref>{{ cite web |url=http://www.writingworks.co.za/20110522/poetry-and-medicine/ |title=Poetry and Medicine}}</ref><br />
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''Splinters of a Mirage Dawn, An Anthology of Migrant Poetry of South Africa'' (co-edited with [[Naomi Nkealah]]) was short listed for the National Humanities and Social Sciences Award, South Africa, 2016.<ref>{{ cite web|url=http://poetsprintery.bookslive.co.za/blog/2016/04/11/daily-dispatch-south-africas-premier-daily-features-splinters-of-a-mirage-dawn-anthology-of-migrant-poetry-of-south-africa/|title=Daily Dispatch, South Africa’s premier daily features Splinters of a Mirage Dawn, Anthology of Migrant Poetry of South Africa}}</ref> Dr. Mitra's latest poetry book, ''Anarchy and the Sea'' encompassing Covid 19 feelings, violence and trauma he encounters in Emergency Medicine and impasto seascapes of violent storms he paints are reflected in this coffee table book. This book will be launched in the prestigious National Art Festival, Grahamstown, South Africa on the 14 July 2021. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/book-launch-anarchy-and-the-sea-by-dr-amitabh-mitra/?fbclid=IwAR2nFVG8E4dkkjVTkNzQRgsClS-CoZ6Y5WmnG-tNMCRO_ZM16_oR2F7mIXM/|title= The Fringe,Book Launch: Anarchy and the Sea by Dr Amitabh Mitra}}</ref><br />
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==Bibliography==<br />
===Poetry===<br />
*''Bithika'' – 1978<br />
*''Ritual Silences'' – 1980<br />
*''A Slow Train to [[Gwalior]]'' – 2009<br />
*''Leaping the Lilac Sun'' – 2009<br />
*''Mdantsane Breathing'' – 2010<br />
*''Tonight, An Anthology of World Love Poetry'' – 2008 (co-edited with [[Victoria Valentine]])<br />
*''Poems for Haiti, A South African Anthology'' (Foreword by Professor [[Peter Horn (poet)|Peter Horn]]) – 2010<br />
*''Unbreaking the Rainbow, Voices of Protest from New South Africa'' (Foreword by [[Ela Gandhi]]) – 2012<br />
*''Splinters of a Mirage Dawn, Anthology of Migrant Poetry from South Africa'' (co-edited with [[Naomi Nkealah]]) (Art by [[Arpana Caur]]) – 2013<br />
*''Our Little Black Book of Ills, Poetry Anthology, Four Poets Share Expressions of Grief''(with [[Victoria Valentine]] [[Lynda G Bullerwell]] [[jacob erin-cilberto]]) - 2015<br />
*''Stranger than a Sun, Poems and Drawings of Gwalior'' - 2015<br />
*''Trainstorm, An Anthology of Alternative Train Poetry'' - 2016<br />
*''Anarchy and the Sea, (Poems and Seascapes of Amitabh Mitra) - 2021<br />
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===Editor===<br />
*''A Hudson View'', A Quarterly Print Poetry Journal<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hudsonview.us |title=A Hudson View Poetry Digest |access-date=16 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219071846/http://www.hudsonview.us/ |archive-date=19 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />
*''Inyathi'', A Journal on South African Arts<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buffalocity.gov.za/news2008/aug/aug28_inyathi.stm |work=buffalocity.gov.za |date=28 August 2008 |title=Inyathi Journal trumpets its success |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929080645/http://buffalocity.gov.za/news2008/aug/aug28_inyathi.stm |archive-date=29 September 2010 }}</ref><br />
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===Compact disc of poetry and music===<br />
*''A Slow Train to Gwalior'' – 2007<br />
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====Appearances in the following poetry Anthologies====<br />
* ''Travelogue : The Grand Indian Express'' (2018) ed. by Dr. Ananad Kumar and published by Authorspress, [[New Delhi]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* {{Official website|http://www.amitabhmitra.com}}<br />
* {{Cite web |work= Lila Interactions |url=http://www.lilainteractions.in/gandhi/ | title= Gandhi Experimenting With | date=3 October 2014}}<br />
* {{Cite web |work=Books Live |url=http://poetsprintery.bookslive.co.za |title= Chirikure Chirikure reviews Splinters of a Mirage Dawn|date=30 October 2013}}<br />
* {{cite news|work=[[Daily Dispatch]] |url=http://www.dispatch.za.com/news/article/3646 |title=East London Doctor Launches Poetry Book |last=Shanaaz Prince |date=6 July 2012 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<br />
* {{cite news|work=[[Daily Dispatch]] |url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=243665 |title=EL medical officer is an artist and a poet |last=Staff |date=2 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615142114/http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=243665 |archive-date=15 June 2011 }}<br />
* {{Cite news |work=The Post |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-199185932.html |title=Mitra,Doctor of Poetry |date=6 May 2009 |first=Tasnim |last=Langry}}<br />
* {{cite news |work=The Post |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-179023301.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102501/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-179023301.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2012 |title=The doctor who indulges in paint and poems |date=14 May 2008 |first=Candice |last=Soobramoney}}<br />
* {{Cite web |work=African Writing Online ISSN 1754-6672 |url=http://african-writing.com/hol/amitabhmitra.htm |title=Amitabh Mitra |date=December 2007 – January 2008<!--I think-->}}<br />
* {{Cite web |work=Other Voices Poetry |url=http://www.othervoicespoetry.org/vol19/mitra/poetry.html |title=A Slow Train to Gwalior Volume 19 |date=30 November 2008 |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721073228/http://www.othervoicespoetry.org/vol19/mitra/poetry.html |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}<br />
* {{Cite web |work=Subtle Tea |url=http://www.subtletea.com/amitabhmitrapoetry.htm |title=Subtle Tea, Poetry by Amitabh Mitra |year=2006}}<br />
*{{Cite web |work=Slow Trains |url=http://www.slowtrains.com/vol5issue2/mitravol5issue2.html |title=Slow Trains Literary Journal, Zubeida |year=2005}}<br />
*{{Cite web |work= [[Daily Dispatch]]|url=http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/daily-dispatch/20160926/281539405439121 |title= Solo Art Show Demonstrates Doctor's Versatility |date=26 September 2016 |first=Vuvu |last=Vena}}<br />
*{{Cite web |work= [[Go & Express Community Newspaper]]|url=http://showme.co.za/east-london/news/mitra-acrylic-works-for-coach-house/ |title=Mitra Acrylic Works for Coach House |date=23 September 2016}}<br />
*{{Cite web |work= [[Ann Bryant Gallery,]]|url=https://www.annbryant.co.za/dr-amitabh-mitra|title=Ann Bryant Gallery, Amitabh Mitra, his art and delusions|year=2021}}<br />
*{{Cite web |work= [[Anarchy and the Sea]]|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57488676-anarchy-and-the-sea|title = Review of Anarchy and the Sea|year=2021}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitra, Amitabh}}<br />
[[Category:University of Pretoria alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century South African poets]]<br />
[[Category:People from Gwalior]]<br />
[[Category:English-language poets from India]]<br />
[[Category:South African people of Indian descent]]<br />
[[Category:Jiwaji University alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]<br />
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]<br />
[[Category:Bengali male poets]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century South African poets]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Bengali poets]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Bengali poets]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century South African male writers]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century South African male writers]]</div>imported>Shubhoshreemitra