It was a family affair, a "gher no ghambhar” as poet Ayra Cama termed the launch event of her second book of poems, Ayra Cama’s Complete Works of Heart:Poems for Children. The venue was the common hall of the residence, the poet’s son, lawyer Rohaan Cama was the compere, her daughter, Reah Irani gave the closing speech, two grandchildren read out two poems. The guest of honor was actor, director, producer Boman Irani, also Reah’s father-in-law. Boman’s wife, Zenobia ordered a book-shaped cake for the launch and the partisan audience largely comprised family and friends, a few of whom were asked to read out selected poems.
"Eighteen years ago/My mom released her first book/We all thought the second one was around the corner/But by God how long it took,” rhymed Rohaan. After badgering him to take an interest and cajoling the illustrator Nekzad Dhunjibhoy, also a lawyer, to hurry along, ("her favorite threat/By the time you’ll are done/I’ll be gone and dead) the book was launched on March 17, 2024 at 11.30 a.m.
Noting she was "lucky enough to have a celebrity in my backyard,” she invited Boman to preside. The genial actor joked the reason he was selected as the chief guest was because "I came free!” He commented on Ayra’s innocence and kindness and noted if his grandchildren, "turn out like you, I would be most happy.” In a testimonial published in the book Boman had stated, Ayra’s writing "Always come from the most honest corner of her heart. There will be truth and reflection and a kindness and decency that does impress you, and touches you with truthful wisdom. I say all this, not for a free copy of the book, but a signed one.”
Boman Irani (l) launching Ayra Cama’s (r) book of poems
Reah termed her mother and brother the most "cheeba (sweet talking)" persons she knew. When Reah got married, Ayra must have hypnotized Boman as her "chief guest for the next book!” she said.
As stated in the Preface, the motivation to compose verse, arose when Rohaan required a poem "to recite for the first time in school/My mind started whirring, my thoughts started stirring/would I make myself look like a fool?” Rohaan won the prize and a poet was born.
The 192-page paperback, published by Birch Books and dedicated to Ayra’s four grandchildren, comprises 42 poems and is priced at Rs 400.