After Abu Dhabi Doctorâs Sudden Death, Her Unpublished Poetry Book Reaches Readers
More than three months after the sudden death of Indian dentist, writer, and community figure Dr Dhanalakshmi in Abu Dhabi, her final unpublished poetry manuscript has been released to the world. The posthumous book, titled âIni Ethra Naalâ (translated as âHow Many More Daysâ), has now reached readers who cherished her work and admired her contributions to the Indian expat community in the UAE.
A Loss That Shocked the Community
In July, the 54-year-old dentist was found dead in her Musaffah apartment. Dr Dhanalakshmi served at Lifecare Hospital and was known among the Indian community for her kindness, active involvement in social events, and her passion for literature. Her sudden passing left her family, friends, colleagues, and patients devastated.
As the family navigated their grief, they came across a collection of handwritten poemsâwords she had quietly created during her final months. These writings would eventually form the manuscript that has now become her final artistic expression.
A Manuscript Filled With Deep, Poignant Reflections
Her unpublished poetry collection carried a title that feels especially meaningful today: âIni Ethra Naalâ (How Many More Days). The manuscript included intimate notes and lines that now read like a quiet farewell.
One of the lines found in her notebook said:
âMay all my words turn to dust with me.â
Another set of verses carried even deeper emotion:
âDo not cry beside my final fire. I am free.
Let the bonds of this earth fall away from me as I journey toward the light with a smile.
Now it is enough for me to say goodbye happily.â
These powerful lines reflect her deep sensitivity and emotional worldâfeelings she rarely expressed openly in public.
How the Book Came to Life
After her passing, the family discovered that she had already submitted the manuscript to a publisher a year earlier. Determined to honour her memory, they traced the publisher, completed the editing process, and brought her words to readers.
The book was released in Dubai with the support of family and friends, and the first copy was presented to Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, in recognition of her years of service at Lifecare Hospital.
Following this, âIni Ethra Naalâ was also unveiled at the Sharjah International Book Fair and later at the Abu Dhabi Malayalee Samajam, two platforms she once dreamed of attending personally to showcase her work.
A Familyâs Tribute to Her Legacy
For her family, publishing her book has been a source of healing. Relative Jayakrishnan shared:
âBringing her words to light offers a profound sense of fulfilment for all who wished her voice to endure. Her lasting words now bring peace to those who hold her memory dear.â
According to her publisher, many of the poems express emotions she kept hidden, revealing a side of her internal world that even close friends seldom saw.
More Unpublished Work Discovered
In addition to the poetry collection, the family also found an unpublished English-language novel titled âUnfittedâ. Editing work is now in progress, and they hope to release it soon.
The family believes the novel will offer further insight into her creative mind and the world she carried within herâone filled with empathy, imagination, and quiet pain.
Her Creative Journey and Final Messages
Originally from Kannur in Kerala, Dr Dhanalakshmi had previously authored four Malayalam books and one English poetry collection. âIni Ethra Naalâ now becomes her first book released after her passingâa final gift to her readers.
A day before her death, she shared several messages on social media, including a short story titled âThe Price of Kindnessâ, which spoke about betrayal and emotional hurt. Friends now look back on those posts with new understanding.
A prominent Malayalam writer who knew her well said the book feels like âthe voice of someone who returned without receiving enough love,â capturing the essence of her emotional struggles.
A Lasting Legacy Through Words
Though her life ended unexpectedly, her words continue to live on. âHow Many More Daysâ stands as a tribute to her sensitivity, creativity, and the silent battles she carried alone.
Her poetryâfilled with longing, wisdom, and quiet acceptanceânow reaches the hearts of readers, ensuring that her voice, far from turning to dust, remains alive for years to come.
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