Monday 22nd December evening, the US Library at the Poona
Club, Pune witnessed an impressive rendition of the life and early career of
Maya Angelou.
Mukul
Ahmad, a Senior Faculty Member at Symbiosis ELTIS, Pune led an enthralling
discussion on Maya
Angelou’s first autobiography ‘I know Why a Caged Bird Sings’. She outlined the
birthplace of Angelou, speaking about the choices of home that were made for
her by her strict disciplinarian grandmother. Angelou grew up in the house with
her brother and began to see the distinction between black and white outside
home. The questions that she began asking while growing up, the atrocities she
had to bear and the circumstances of her time contributed to her writing. She
is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her
childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17.
Comments from among the audience about the ban on her books from some
American libraries, difficult childhood and personal life tilted the discussion
to Angelou as a person not spared from the ugly truths of life. Yet she has
acquired international acclaim in the face of calamities.
Angelou was honored by universities, literary organizations, government
agencies, and special interest groups. Her honors included a Pulitzer
Prize nomination
for her book of poetry, Just
Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie,[126] a Tony
Award nomination
for her role in the 1973 play Look
Away, and three Grammys for her spoken word albums. You can also watch Angelou reciting her poem " On the Pulse
of Morning", at President Bill Clinton's inauguration, January 1993.
Mukul Ahmad, taking a slice of Angelou's autobiographies showed us a
glimpse of her life and has got the audience wanting to discuss more in the next
meets. Her discussion has had a simple yet striking appeal, well appreciated by
the members.
Reported by Seema Chinchore
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