My Grandpa's Garden

My Grandpa's GardenA presentation of a collection of poems, coupled with artistic photographs, produced by a brilliant Zanzibar born artist, photographer, author and theatrical producer, Issak Esmail Issak. What started as individual Friday greetings to close friends and family, later became a treasure trove that had to be shared widelyhence this selected collection. Each photograph is a subtle, yet very eloquent, portrayal of the intricate cosmopolitan life in

A presentation of a collection of poems, coupled with artistic photographs, produced by a brilliant Zanzibar-born artist, photographer, author and theatrical producer, Issak Esmail Issak. What started as individual Friday greetings to close friends and family, later became a treasure trove that had to be shared widelyÑhence this selected collection. Each photograph is a subtle, yet very eloquent, portrayal of the intricate cosmopolitan life in Zanzibar. Although each individual photograph already speaks volumes, the poem, alongside each, serves as a colorful embellishment.

It is hoped that the reader will take the time to scrutinize each entry to try to read, understand and savor the creative genius of the author; for there is little doubt that this man of many talents is an indefatigable creator of not only admirable photographs and author of beautiful poetry, but also a brilliant producer of theatrical plays. Worth mentioning here are two other projects on which he is currently working. One is a book detailing the histories of Kutch and Zanzibar, and the Kumbhaar (or the potter-community) immigration to rural Zanzibar; and the other is the production of plays for the ÔFaAnaÕ Theatre. Not only does he produce the plays, he selects and trains the young Zanzibari actors, and even directs the film productions himself.