URVASHI RAY TONGIA
"'Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down'"
Developing a fascination for writing since her childhood Urvashi Ray Tongia was always inclined to write. Her father is an ex bureaucrat from Chattisgarh who is also a prolific writer. Her late mom Sanghamitra was a professor of English, that quite explains her love for words. Urvashi's maternal Grandfather Late, Dr Mayadhar Mansingh was a poet laureate of Odisha and a Padmashri awardee. No wonder the genes got to her and she got her articles and poems published in many magazines and newspapers including The Times of India. Urvashi is convent educated, a majority of her schooling years were spent in Bhopal,the city of lakes. Urvashi did her post graduation in English Literature from Bhopal, her PGDM in marketing from A.I.I.M.A, Delhi and her B.ed from Indore. She also holds a Business English Certificate from Cambridge University. After working as a banker she quit her job but carried on writing as a hobby. Apart from being an author, Urvashi is an avid reader. She loves to watch movies and sports, listening to music and is also known for her remarkable culinary skills. She firmly believes that women need to carve their own niche in life and assume their own independent identity. Urvashi’s first poetry book "Bohemian Rhythms" was published last year (2023) and had also featured at the World Book Fair in Delhi. "The Mirror Selfie" is her second book to be published.