Shakti Bhatt

This is hard to write, but for all those who knew and loved her: Shakti Bhatt, writer, editor of the newly-established Bracket Books, and friend to more people than can be counted, died of a sudden and brief illness late on Saturday night.

She and her husband, the poet Jeet Thayil, moved back to Delhi from New York two years ago, and made a new life here by throwing open the doors of their home to all of us. Shakti was well-loved, and will be missed more than I can put into words right now. Our thoughts are with Jeet.

One of Shakti's friends sent me this poem, by Vikram Seth; I hope he won't mind if I put it up here today.


All you who sleep tonight
Far from the ones you love,
No hand to left or right
And emptiness above--

Know that you aren't alone
The whole world shares your tears,
Some for two nights, or for one,
And some for all their years.