Tantra Zawadi

Poet

Brooklyn, NY
New York US

Author's Bio

Tantra-zawadi, Brooklyn, New York, is an international performance poet and recording artist, and a 2020 Brooklyn Arts Fund grantee.  She is the author of three books of poetry, alifepoeminprogress (Chuma Spirit Books), Gathered at Her Sky, and Bubbles: One Conscious Breath (Poets Wear Prada). A passionate educator and instigator, she has collaborated with middle schools in New York City, The Senegal-America Project, Betty Makoni’s Girl Child Network Worldwide, and Black Art in America. To learn more, or to hear her latest house music releases, please visit: https://www.traxsource.com/artist/29323/... or http://tantrazawadi.com/.

"Tantra-zawadi is magical just like the African mermaid. Her flow is like water and her words become the boat that you sail in. In this world of form and no substance, her words have meaning and a sensuality that we don't find often. Hearing and reading her poetry is like taking a journey to the places we dream of." —Abiodun Oyewole, Founding member of The Last Poets

"Tantra's writing oozes with the passion of Neruda and the sensitivity of Sonia. Her words can warm the coldest of hearts." -Bruce George, Co-Founder of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam

"Tantra-zawadi is one of the finest and greatest female poets who undoubtedly has ushered in a new era that will take the 21st century into one where humanity will move forward. If one wants the power of poetry, then Tantra's is the holistic package." -Betty Makoni, CNN Hero and Founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide

"Tantra-zawadi is a spiritual activist who holds humanity in the highest regard. She writes from a place that many have tried to understand but have never really been able to embrace. It is probably because she is comfortable enough with who she is to share her naked spirit on the white page. As such, she is one of the most talented artists of her generation, a master painter of the poetic landscape." - Cendrine Marrouat, Canada Independent Artist Examiner 

Publications & Prizes

Books:
Bubbles: One Conscious Breath (Poets Wear Prada, 2013)
,
Gathered at Her Sky (Poets Wear Prada, 2010)
,
alifepoeminprogress (Chuma Spirit Books, 1999)
Prizes won: 

Pan-African Princess; "Girl" (Gathered at Her Sky - PWP Books) Pushcart Prize Nominee; "A Silent Genocide ~A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS" (a short documentary), screened at Cine Mostra AIDS Brasil in Sao Paulo; Kings County District Attorney's Office - Women's History Month Award, 2020 Brooklyn Arts Council Grantee.

Personal Favorites

What I'm reading now: 
The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz, An Invisible Earthquake: A Woman's Journal through Stillbirth by Malika Ndlovu, Five Years and Counting: A Journey into the Mind of Soul Poetry by Cendrine Marrouat, The 100 Best Poems of All Time by Leslie Pockell, The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel and Jose Miguel Ruiz

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
African American
Prefers to work with: 
Any
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Brooklyn
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: May 24, 2021