Semonti, shay-mown-thee, Bangla for white rose is also my name.

I'm blessed with two incredible human beings as parents: a father whose courage of conviction, integrity of expression, selflessness in serving and simplicity in life has grounded me to understand and value the true meaning of humanity and a mother whose unconditional love, indomitable spirit, unwavering strength and inspirational life has illuminated my soul's worldly sojourn.

Innumerable literary characters and luminary figures also enrich my identity, inspire my existence, fortify my voice and weave my personal story.

While the words of Rabindranath Tagore relentlessly invigorate my mind's eye, Jibanananda Das's literary canvas paints anew in my heart and the neverending quest of recognizing navarasas in Kazi Nazrul Islam's works revives my spirit, the exploration of self worth, gender, sexism, racism, suffering, loss and death in the writings of the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Gertrude Stein, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Maxine Hong Kingston, Arundhati Roy and Begum Rokeya undeniably resonates within and encompasses my very being.

Whether they are accounts of the survivors of the Holocaust or images of starving children in Palestine, whether its apartheid in South Africa or slavery in North America, whether the orator and leader is father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or father of the nation Madiba Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, whether the women's rights activists are Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony or Simone de Beauvior and Betty Friedan, whether the silenced voice is of Jamal Khashoggi or George Floyd, the fears and failures, the hopes and dreams, the hurdles and burdens, the strengths and triumphs are undeniably ours; our experiences, emotions and expressions, shared by the entirety of humankind.

Semonti is an homage to our collective journey.

Semonti is an homage to all that is innate, universal and eternal.

Semonti is my humble way to honor those thoughts, words, lands and people from around the world whose bits and pieces I embody; wherein lies my identity, whereto I belong.

As a global citizen, my passion to create transcends every boundary. Each piece, an unique interpretation infused with love and respect, a reflection of moments past, an acknowledgment of moments present, a promise of moments to come. Each creation a tangible way to signify solidarity.

I, Semonti, welcome you to my artistic abode: Semonti.