Kolkata: After 19 years, I experienced the ‘adda’ at Coffee House again. More ‘adda’ will happen — this is what Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin wrote on the white board during her visit to the iconic College Street Coffee House on Monday. She was also scheduled to visit poet Joy Goswami’s house in Salt Lake but returned to her hotel after the Coffee House visit. She spoke with the poet on the phone.A person privy to the conversation said: “Nasrin and Joy had a telephonic conversation for 30 to 35 minutes. Both of them have known each other for 40 years. The author told Joy that she was deeply saddened and ashamed over the incident that took place at Rabindra Sadan on Saturday. She shared that she did not realize that he would have to face this situation. The poet during the conversation told Nasrin that she is an internationally-acclaimed author and there is no reason for her to feel ashamed or to worry about the incident.”During the event on Saturday, Nasrin requested Goswami, the Sahitya Akademi award-winning poet seated among the audience, to come up to the dais. As he rose and began walking towards the stage, a section of the audience erupted in vociferous protest, forcing him to turn back and return to his seat. Nasrin on Sunday said that not allowing Joy to speak was an insult to him as well as to her.Draped in a blue-and-green silk saree, Nasrin entered Coffee House around 5pm and spent 30-odd minutes there reminiscing about old times. She looked overwhelmed by the reception. “I am visiting Coffee House after 19 years. I used to visit this place quite often. I had many memories and experiences. It is nostalgic. When in the Coffee House, I must order the black coffee,” said Nasrin, adding, “I dream of a time when I will not need so much security to visit these places. The love of the people will be my security.”The 63-year-old author ordered fish finger and chicken pakora along with black coffee (infusion) and even took a parcel of chicken pakoras and fish fingers. She was accompanied by Secular Mission’s Osman Mallick and her friend Animesh Baishya. Describing her experience in the city, Nasrin shared: “It is a wonderful feeling that I am able to roam around the city freely. I will again come during the book fair, where a book of mine will be released. The book will be on the second innings of my life.”The usual Monday evening at the Coffee House turned into a memorable moment for the visitors and the waiters. Mohd Javed, the waiter who served Nasrin, said: “I had the privilege of serving her the last time she visited. I am lucky that I served her today as well.” Secretary of the College Street Coffee House Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “She came to the Coffee House after many years. She loves coming here and we would like to host her again.”
