Inventory of the Reetika Vazirani Papers 1967-2008 Vazirani, Reetika Mss. Acc. 2008.122

Inventory of the Reetika Vazirani Papers 1967-2008

A Collection in the
Special Collections Research Center
Accession Number Mss. Acc. 2008.122


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Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Special Collections
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8794
USA
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Email: spcoll@wm.edu
URL: http://swem.wm.edu/scrc/

© 2009 By the College of William and Mary. All rights reserved.

Repository:
Special Collections Research Center
Identification:
01/Mss. Acc. 2008.122
Title:
Reetika Vazirani Papers 1967-2008 1982-2003
Quantity:
4.00
Creator:
Vazirani, Reetika, 1962-2003 arrangement
Language of Materials
The papers are in: English
Abstract:
This collection contains the personal and professional papers of Reetika Vazirani. It includes a number of poems, manuscripts, photographs, floppy disks, correspondence and publications that relate to her work as a published writer and instructor. The collection also holds personal correspondence, a sketchbook, and legal documents, as well as materials regarding Vazirani's death and legacy.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

Box 8 is restricted until 2018 and Box 9 is restricted until 2043. All other portions of the collection are open to researchers. Consult a staff member for details.

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred Citation

Reetika Vazirani Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Processing Information

Processing and finding aid completed by Kate Hill in April 2009.

Biographical Note

Reetika Gina Vazirani was born August 9, 1962 in Patiala, India. In 1967, her family moved to the United States and settled in Silver Spring, Maryland. After high school, Vazirani earned her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College in 1984. She studied creative writing at Boston University from 1987 to 1988, and graduated with a master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Virginia in 1997.

Vazirani published a number of essays and poems in anthologies, literary reviews, and journals. Many of her writings drew on her experiences as an Indian immigrant, and she earned critical recognition for her work. Her first book, "White Elephants" (Beacon Press, 1996), was awarded the Barnard New Women Poets Prize, and her second book, "World Hotel" (Copper Canyon Press, 2003), won a Anisfield-Wolf Book Award. Vazirani also served as a contributing and advisory editor on the literary magazines "Shenandoah" and "Callaloo."

Vazirani was also an experienced teacher, having taught creative writing and poetry at a number of universities. She began as a poetry instructor at the University of Virginia in 1996, and served as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Oregon a year later. In 1998, Vazirani accepted the position of the Margaret Banister Writer-in-Residence at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. She briefly taught as a visiting faculty member at the College of New Jersey in 2001. From 2002 to 2003, she served as Writer-in-Residence for the College of William and Mary.

Reetika Vazirani committed suicide on July 16, 2003 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She was 40 years old.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the personal and professional papers of Reetika Vazirani. It includes a number of poems, manuscripts, photographs, floppy disks, correspondence and publications that relate to her work as a published writer and instructor. The collection also holds personal correspondence, a sketchbook, and legal documents, as well as materials regarding Vazirani's death and legacy.

Arrangement of Materials

The collection is organized into the following series and sub-series: Series 1: Biographical Materials, 2000-2003

Series 2: Career, 1982-2003, including Sub-series 1: Publishing, 1996-2003; Sub-series 2: Literary Journals and Writing Workshops, 2000-2003; Sub-series 3: Teaching, 2000-2003; Sub-series 4: Poetry Readings and Job Searches, 1999-2003; Sub-series 5: Colleagues, 2000-2003; Sub-series 6: Correspondence, 2002-2003

Series 3: Personal and Professional Letters and Work, 1985-2006, including Sub-series 1: Background on Miller, 2003; Sub-series 2: Correspondence, 1985-2003; Sub-series 3: Miscellaneous Professional Materials, 1989-2003; Sub-series 4: Death, Funeral, Legacy, 2003-2006

Series 4: Personal Papers and Materials, 1973-2008 including Sub-Series 1: Financial Records, 1981-2005; Sub-series 2: Correspondence, 1993-2003; Sub-series 3: Personal Information and Records, 1973-2003; Sub-Series 4: Articles, Memorials, Condolences, 2003-2008

Series 5: Miscellaneous Career and Personal Items, 1967-2003.

Related Material

University Archives Faculty-Alumni File Collection

Index Terms


Additional Information

Physical Characteristics or Technical Requirements

Electronic records which are part of this collection require a computer with appropriate software for viewing.

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Biographical Materials, 2000-2003 ,
Series 1: Biographical Materials

This series contains documents that provide a general overview of Reetika Vazirani's personal and professional life. Contents include her resume, brief biographies, a photograph, a magazine profile, and obituaries.

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Career, 1982-2003 ,
Series 2: Career

This series contains documents relating to Vazirani's work as a poet, writer, and instructor. Contents include materials relating to publishing, teaching, writing, and poetry readings, as well as a number of letters and emails from colleagues.

Note: Additional materials concerning Vazirani's career, including floppy disks, a journal, and a set of index cards, are located in Box 10 of the collection.

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Personal and Professional Letters and Work, 1985-2006 ,
Series 3: Personal and Professional Letters and Work

This series is a separate accession within the larger Vazirani collection. It contains correspondence, poetry, a manuscript, and photographs sent by Vazirani to her friend and colleague, Ethelbert Miller. Also included are materials regarding her death and funeral collected by Miller.

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Personal Papers and Materials, 1973-2008 ,
Series 4: Personal Papers and Materials

This series contains materials relating to Vazirani's private life such as financial records, family correspondence, information her son, Jehan Komunyakaa, and originals and copies of legal documents. The series also includes a copy of Vazirani's suicide letter, and articles and condolences in regards to her death.

Note: Additional personal items such as inspirational audio tapes, guest book, Vazirani's childhood choir book, sketchbook, and diploma from the University of Virginia may by found in Box 10 of the collection.

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Miscellaneous Career and Personal Items, 1967-2003 ,
Series 5: Miscellaneous Career and Personal Items

This series contains a number of Vazirani's career-related and personal items, including floppy disks, a journal, index cards, name cards, a guest book, choir book, sketchbook, and a diploma.

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