The abandoned British cemetary in Balasore

In 1980, the iconic ‘Clearing House’ publication published ‘The False Start’, Jayanta Mahaptra’s poetry collection’ A reflective elegy that meditates on mortality, forgotten history, and the passage of time. The cover was designed by Arun Kolatkar and Mahapatra dedicated the book to Dilip Chitre, Hiroshi Sakagami & Thanassis Valtinos. The collection reflects Mahapatra's signature style of utilizing ordinary surroundings and rich, atmospheric imagery—such as rain and shadows—to examine deep personal and existential anxieties. It captures a feeling of hesitation, where the present moment remains tied to the weight of the past. As a young lecturer at Balasore’s Fakir Mohan college, Jayanta Babu roamed around town in his free time. A frequent haunt was a ruined, overgrown colonial graveyard containing thirty-nine forgotten British graves. ‘The abandoned British cemetery in Balasore’ is a testimony to a time bygone. #JayantaMahapatra #poetrylovers #poetry #odishaculture #odisha #englishpoetrylovers #indianpoetrylovers #indianpoetry