Bindiya Noronha's poetry book blends Indian spirituality, ecology, and Portuguese identity
Synopsis
An Indian teacher of Portuguese who was the first recipient of a scholarship under the India-Portugal cultural agreement has released her second poetry collection — a work that bridges Tagore and Camoes, spirituality and ecology, and asks readers not for their agreement but for their introspection.
Key Takeaways
Dr Bindiya Bedi Charan Noronha released her second poetry collection, 'Riding With The Silver Wolf' , on 10 June 2025 — Portugal's National Day.
The book spans themes of spirituality, feminine identity, ecological awareness, and social justice , including the plight of widows in Varanasi .
Noronha was the first Indian recipient of a scholarship under the India-Portugal cultural agreement , studying in Portugal from 1988 .
Her literary influences include Rabindranath Tagore and Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes .
The foreword was written by Maria Regina da Mota , President of the International Academy of Portuguese Culture .
Noronha curates India's Stanza , a poetry group whose members range from age 13 to 72 .
Dr Bindiya Bedi Charan Noronha, a teacher of Portuguese at the Camoes Portuguese Cultural Centre in New Delhi and Senior Technical Officer at the Portuguese Embassy in India, has released her second collection of poetry, titled 'Riding With The Silver Wolf'. The book, launched by the Portuguese Ambassador on 10 June — Portugal's National Day — weaves together spirituality, feminine identity, ecological awareness, and social justice, inviting readers to seek answers within themselves rather than receiving them from the text.
A Journey Across Themes
Noronha describes the collection not as a single-thesis work but as 'a journey on the waves,' traversing many dimensions of human experience. The book draws on India's spiritual heritage, explores feminine identity, and shines a light on pressing ecological concerns and social injustices — including the conditions faced by widows in Varanasi. Rather than prescribing conclusions, the poems pose questions and encourage readers to discover their own courage, responsibility, and capacity for love.
The India-Portugal Literary Bridge
Noronha's literary sensibility is shaped by two towering figures from either side of this cultural bridge. She cites Rabindranath Tagore as a foundational influence, and later found equal inspiration in the works of Luis de Camoes, the defining poet of Portuguese identity whose death anniversary falls on 10 June — the same date as Portugal's National Day. Noronha was the first Indian recipient of a scholarship awarded under the cultural agreement between India and Portugal, travelling to Portugal to study in 1988. That formative experience, she says, left a lasting imprint on her world view and her writing.
Who the Book Speaks To
Noronha curates India's Stanza, a poetry group affiliated with the UK Poetry Society that holds monthly poetry gatherings. The group's membership ranges from a 13-year-old to a 72-year-old, reflecting the broad reach she hopes the book will achieve. She describes the collection as 'a journey both inward and outward — to find one's own answers, healing, and a greater love for the world,' making it accessible across age groups and backgrounds.
Cultural Endorsement and Significance
The foreword has been written by Maria Regina da Mota, President of the International Academy of Portuguese Culture, lending the collection significant institutional weight. The book's launch on Portugal's National Day, presided over by the Portuguese Ambassador, underscores its role as a cultural bridge between the two nations. Noronha sees the work as a natural expression of her dual cultural identity — shaped by decades of teaching Portuguese language and culture in India while remaining rooted in the country's own rich traditions.
What Comes Next
With 'Riding With The Silver Wolf' now in readers' hands, Noronha's ongoing work with India's Stanza and the Camoes Centre continues to build a small but dedicated community around cross-cultural poetry in New Delhi. The book's release signals a growing conversation between Indian and Portuguese literary traditions — one that is likely to deepen as the two countries mark decades of cultural exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Riding With The Silver Wolf' about?
'Riding With The Silver Wolf' is Dr Bindiya Noronha's second poetry collection, exploring spirituality, feminine identity, ecological awareness, and social justice. The book does not offer a single overarching theme but is described by the author as 'a journey on the waves,' encouraging readers to look inward for their own answers.
Who is Dr Bindiya Bedi Charan Noronha?
Dr Bindiya Bedi Charan Noronha is an Indian teacher of Portuguese at the Camoes Portuguese Cultural Centre in New Delhi and the Senior Technical Officer at the Portuguese Embassy in India. She was the first Indian recipient of a scholarship under the cultural agreement between India and Portugal, travelling to Portugal to study in 1988.
When and where was the book launched?
The book was launched on 10 June — Portugal's National Day — by the Portuguese Ambassador. The date also marks the death anniversary of the Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes, making it symbolically significant for the collection's themes.
What are Noronha's key literary influences?
Noronha cites Rabindranath Tagore as a foundational influence on her writing, and later drew inspiration from the works of Luis de Camoes, the defining poet of Portuguese cultural identity. She describes both figures as synonymous with the national identities of their respective countries.
Who is the target audience for the book?
Noronha says the book speaks to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Her poetry group, India's Stanza, includes members ranging from 13 to 72 years old, reflecting the broad demographic she hopes the collection will reach.
