Modern High School’s Anandini Sengupta loves Ruskin Bond, aims to be a published writer

Anandini Sengupta started her journey as a poet at six, adding a few lines to the popular rhyme “Chand uthechhe, phool phutechhe”. Now 13, the student of Modern High School for Girls and a winner of the Edugraph 18 Under 18 Awards spends hours looking out of the window and penning her thoughts in poetry or prose.

How it all began

Anandini recalls not having a television at home till she was nine. She would spend time with her grandmother, listening to stories and poems. Reading and writing became a part of her daily life. That’s how Anandini wrote her first few lines. “I would always wonder what happens to Sonamoni (of Chhand uthechhe phool phutechhe) after marriage. So, I wrote a few lines imagining that.

Inspiration in her surroundings

Anandini loves to travel and many of her writings have been inspired by the places she visited and the people she met there. She loves to talk to anyone and everyone as she finds people’s stories interesting.

On a regular day, her window inspires her to write. “The window is a great place to be. It offers you insights into the outside world. The fast city life, people moving around, birds flying… what happens outside my window often ends up in my writings,” the Class IX girl smiled.

Idols in Ruskin Bond and Satyajit Ray

“I grew up reading stories by Ruskin Bond. I love how he gets descriptive about little things. His stories are so simple yet so beautiful,” Anandini said, when asked about her favourite author.

The budding author also idolises Satyajit Ray for his creative versatility. “Satyajit Ray is not just a filmmaker. He’s a storyteller, music composer, songwriter and artist. I want to be like him. I don’t want to be just an author or a poet. I want to do more.”

True all-rounder

Apart from writing, this powerhouse of a girl takes interest in dance, oration, script-writing and travelling. Anandini had to let go of her Odissi dance training during the pandemic and because of a medical issue but she would love to resume.

Oration is another hobby that she loves. “I like reading out my own writings. I love audio plays.” Anandini is in her school play group, where she has an active role in script-writing.

Published author

Anandini’s writings have been featured in the book of winning entries of the Laura Literary Awards. The Long Road Home, an anthology of winning stories of the Kidengage Writing Competition 2019, includes a story by Anandini.

“I don’t want to go for self-publishing. It would be great if a publisher liked my work and decided to publish it. It would be an achievement for me as a writer,” she said.

Writer’s block

“When I am unable to write anything, I just start writing random stuff in my notebook or on my laptop until something comes out of it,” said Anandini, whose mail drafts are full of creative pieces waiting to be worked on.

Blogging goals

Anandini is not on social media but wants to share her writings with the world through blogging. “I definitely want others to read my writings. I might start blogging in future.”

Proud family and school

Anandini’s family, friends and teachers are overjoyed at her winning the Edugraph 18 Under 18 Award.

Devi Kar, director of Modern High School for Girls, described her as “an extremely talented student”. “We are extremely happy that she received this award. She is very sincere about her work. What she writes and creates truly deserves this accolade. It’s a great initiative by Edugraph to encourage the students for their passion.”

Anandini is happy, too, but a tad shy about her family’s joy. “Everyone is extremely happy, so am I. Especially my grandparents. They are broadcasting it everywhere. I wish they would stop doing that but you know how grandparents are.”

Here’s a poem Anandini wrote after going home with her trophy.

I had no words to describe,

The flashing lights and gleaming smiles,

For the honour bestowed on this humble scribe,

Shall keep me going for miles and miles!