Your Stories

Our paths first crossed in 2007 when I was offered the chance of a poetry workshop with Daljit who, I have to admit, was not on my poetry radar at that time. That same year Daljit had been awarded the Guardian Forward Prize for his first poetry collection ‘Look We have coming to Dover’. 

The collection sets out to incorporate the experiences of British-born Asians. Having been ‘vexed’ by his own desire not to follow the traditional expectations of his parents’ but instead to write poetry, Daljit’s prize winning news exposed him to his radio listening relatives and in 2007 he no longer was able to keep his success quiet. 

Part biographical and part based around the experiences of his family and community at large Daljit’s work touches on racism against Indians, racism by Indians,  the traditionally satirical Indian mother-in-law figure, eighties Britain, Margaret Thatcher, the death of his close friend at university and a whole range besides. 

Daljit claims not to have a clear mission statement.  Through his writing, however, he seeks to address subjects such as caste issues, prejudice and encouraging people to be more tolerant of each other in the hope that world can be a better place and that in a sense art, including poetry, can affect changes.

Reading venues have stretched from Canada and Indian to some younger audiences within UK schools. When questioned about Hounslow and Southall audiences Daljit  expressed a preference to perform here but admitted that, to date, approaches from venues closer to the dual community world of his poetry seem to have eluded him, a situation which is sure to change as word of his work spreads. 

As well as being subjected to a very inexperienced interviewer, a very patient, gallant and daring Daljit agreed to do a live reading not only his own work, but agreed to do a first time ever read through of a short piece written by me Narinder!  Given the Glaswegian slant could this prove to be his biggest challenge to date!

To hear my interview with Dalgit Nagra click on the link.