Yesterday was a compelling launch of Aloka Dasgupta Niyogi’s debut novel, Inheritors of Silence. Hosted gracefully by The Literary Table, an impactful author-reader initiative under the umbrella of the Arogya Wellbeing Trust, the event was a vibrant testament to the power of heartfelt storytelling.
The evening was expertly managed by the Emcee, Devashish Chakravarty, who opened the session by introducing The Literary Table’s mission to foster dialogue between writers and their audiences. He then introduced the central figure, author Aloka Dasgupta Niyogi, before welcoming the distinguished Chief Guest celebrated figure Madhumanti Maitra and guest of honour the renowned storyteller Sanjay Mishra.
It was a Debut that Defied Expectation. The true highlight began with Madhumanti Maitra’s powerful endorsement. Declaring that she had read the entire book “in one breath,” her praise was effusive and genuine. Maitra mesmerised the audience by stating emphatically that Inheritors of Silence did not read like the work of a debut writer. She insisted that Ms. Niyogi possessed a natural “flair” for novel writing and should have embarked on this journey much sooner. This high praise immediately set an elevated tone for the evening, validating the book’s engrossing nature and literary quality.
Following this, Sanjay Mishra added a beautiful layer of personal resonance to the proceedings.
Clearly taken in by the descriptions of Comilla and Chittagong mentioned by Maitra, Mishra shared poignant stories of his own family history. He spoke movingly about his great-grandfather and the school he had founded in Comilla, effectively weaving the book’s geographical and historical themes into a shared, collective heritage. His deeply personal anecdotes provided a moving counterpoint to the literary critique.
The event was steered with Grace.
Emcee Devashish Chakravarty skillfully navigated the event, deftly sharing intriguing snippets from the novel that kept the audience keen to learn more without giving away too much. The atmosphere culminated in an excellent and highly participatory audience interaction and Q&A session, which brought a final, vibrant energy to the whole launch.
The launch of Inheritors of Silence was more than just an unveiling of a book; it was a deeply emotional and intellectually stimulating discussion that celebrated a promising new voice in literature. It was clear from the guests’ enthusiastic responses and the vibrant audience participation that Aloka Dasgupta Niyogi has indeed given birth to a story that will resonate with many for years to come.
