Renée Sarojini Saklikar
Renée Sarojini Saklikar is an Indian-born Canadian lawyer, poet and author. Raised in New Westminster in Greater Vancouver,[1] she married Adrian Dix.[1] Rob Taylor of Prism International wrote in 2013 that "If you’ve spent much time in Vancouver’s literary community, you’ve probably heard of, or run into, Renée Saklikar."[2]
Personal life
She was born in Pune, India.[3] After moving to Canada from India, Saklikar had lived in Newfoundland, then Montreal and Sasketchewan as well as other places where she did not spend as much time. She then moved to New Westminster.[4] Saklikar's father was the Rev. Vasant Saklikar, a minister of the United Church of Canada.[5] He was a Hindu who, after arriving in Canada, converted to Christianity.[6] Zebunnisa Jethwa and Umar Jethwa, Saklikar's aunt and uncle, perished on Air India Flight 182.[1] A gynecologist and surgeon, the two were Indians visiting relatives in the Vancouver area.[4] Saklikar was one of the interview subjects of the film Air India 182,[7] and her mother Bhanu Saklikar, was also interviewed.[8][9]
She attended the University of British Columbia, getting a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, and then an LL.B. in 1990.[10] In 1991 she was called to the British Columbia Bar. She had been trained as a barrister and solicitor.[11]
Writing career
Saklikar was originally a lawyer, but as she grew older she became a poet and writer.[4] In 2010,[11] she graduated from the Writers Studio of the Continuing Studies Department at Simon Fraser University;[12] she stated that the Writers Studio had revealed to the world that she was a poet.[13] Saklikar co-founded the Lunch Poems reading series of Simon Fraser University.[2] As of 2014 she serves as an instructor and writing mentor for the SFU Continuing Studies department.[11] As of October 2015, Saklikar was named the Poet Laureate for the City of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.[14]
Awards
Saklikar was awarded the Canadian Authors Association Award for Poetry in 2014.[15]
Works
- Children of Air India: Un/authorized Exhibits and Interjections,[16] a book of poetry[1]
- thecanadaproject - A creative writing project that includes Saklikar's Air India 182 poems[17]
- "The Censor That Is Time" - An art song co-created with Sandy V.A. Moore[17]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Smith, Charlie. "Renee Sarojini Saklikar draws large crowd to SFU Woodward's for launch of new book of poems" (Archive). The Georgia Straight. November 14, 2013. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Taylor, Rob. "in the power of spirits – “children of air india” by Renée Sarojini Saklikar" (Archive). Prism International, Creative Writing Program of the University of British Columbia. November 8, 2013. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Renée Sarojini Saklikar Guest Poet Post: “These Layers That Now Surround Us”" (Archive). Ooligan Press, Portland State University. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ a b c Lederman, Marsha. "Poet’s new book communes with the ghosts of the Air India bombing." The Globe and Mail. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Disciplined by a chronic condition, Adrian Dix strives to ‘give back’" (Archive). The Vancouver Sun. February 8, 2012. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Adrian Dix profile revives memories of Rev. Vasant Saklikar" (Archive). The Vancouver Sun. February 17, 2012. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Air India 182 Press Kit" (Archive). Air India 182 (film) official website. p. 10/12. Retrieved on October 22, 2014.
- ^ "Air India 182 Press Kit" (Archive). Air India 182 (film) official website. p. 11/12. Retrieved on October 22, 2014.
- ^ "To write about one’s dead: Talking poetry with Renée Sarojini Saklikar." (Archive). Event. September 18, 2014. Retrieved on March 25, 2016. "(my mother’s first name is Bhanu)."
- ^ "Renée Sarojini Saklikar" (Archive). Ryerson University. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Renée Sarojini Saklikar" (Archive). Simon Fraser University. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Book launch: children of air india: un/authorized exhibits and interjections" (Archive). Simon Fraser University Vancouver. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ Saxifrage, Carrie. "Vancouver poet Renee Sarojini Saklikar reads at Carbon Talks" (Archive). Vancouver Observer. December 14, 2011. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Surrey selects its first Poet Laureate - Surrey Leader". Surrey Leader. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ "Renée Sarojini Saklikar | Canadian Authors Association". canadianauthors.org. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
- ^ Staff. "Renée Sarojini Saklikar launches new book, children of air india" (Archive). The Georgia Straight. November 6, 2013. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Smith, Charlie. "Poet Renée Sarojini Saklikar remembers the murdered children of Air India Flight 182" (Archive). The Georgia Straight. October 17, 2012. Retrieved on November 22, 2014.
Further reading
- Interview footage of Renée Sarojini Saklikar (Archive) from the documentary Air India 182
External links
- 21st-century Canadian poets
- 21st-century women writers
- Canadian women poets
- Living people
- Indian emigrants to Canada
- Lawyers in British Columbia
- People from New Westminster
- Simon Fraser University alumni
- Simon Fraser University faculty
- University of British Columbia alumni
- Writers from Vancouver
- People from Pune