Interview of Poetess Varsha Singh

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When you were done with 60 poems what was the first thing that stricken your mind?

I wrote my first poem on 4th January 2012, and the 60th poem was written on 10th January 2014. It was a journey of around 2 years. The moment I ended up with my 60th poem, I sensed, that these poems have changed me to a greater extent. In fact, they have shaped me as much as I have shaped them. After this, I wanted to begin with something fresh in my writing, hence decided to make a compilation of the poems, who made me capable of thinking and witnessing the minute instances of life which mostly remains untouched or ignored in the rush of our daily lives.

What is the soul of poetry?

You are asking about the soul of poetry ! I find, that poetry in itself is a soul, a soul which resides within each of us, until we notice it, being serene and thoughtful; keeping our eyes open from within and out.

Who is your poetry guru?

I love reading poems a lot, but frankly speaking, I never had any specific guru for poetry, neither I tried following any poet. In fact, my Gurudev (my Mentor) is such person, who believes in multidimensional growth; hence he desired making me a complete human being and a good scholar, rather than only a poet. It is to him, whom I have dedicated my debut collection of poems Deluges.

What can poetry drags you to do?

Thanks for that question. I would like to mention Charles Bukowski here, who was a German born American poet. He beautifully said “Poetry is what happens when nothing else can.” I too feel the same. Most of the time, poetry drags me to write another one, and yet another again and again. Whenever I begin conversing with it, it drags me to live with it forever!

Share your experience of your first poetry book- the ups and downs?

The experience was very unique. I began writing, just for the sake of gaining some pleasure in between the pressure of my research. But later on, it took such a pace which was surprising for me as well. During the same time, I kept working on translations too which has been my passion since long. The moment I had 50 poems in my hands ready for publication, I contacted Sri Sudarshan Kcherry, the Managing Director of Authorspress. I was asked to send a proposal and a sample of my manuscript, after which I received an instant reply regarding the acceptance of my project. The poems of my first collection are very intimate to me, as they says a lot about my growth as a person. Hence, with the utmost support and faith of my publisher, I decided to give my book the form of a diary. The poems were arranged with the exact dates on which they were written, chronologically. The fonts were kept in calligraphy to give the feel of a handwritten work. In this way, a personal diary was finally and successfully made public on 29th March 2014. After the release of this book, there was a sense of detachment in me regarding the book. The reason was simple; the poems were no more mine, it now belonged to the readers.

Deluges
Deluges

Sum up your life in the form of poetry?

Sure. This is the poem which I wrote to celebrate my book Deluges.

Song of Joy

The mystery of
a kid’s keen
eyes glowing
with golden glories
walking through
the arms of mother
nature pulsating vivid stories
far away
from the masked muffled memories
fashioning the world
through self discovery
Singing the tunes of innocence
rhyming with poise and elegance
Running through uneven land falling . . .
only to stand
Delightful dreams
don’t suffice
if they come at night
for blissful joy
of such eyes dreams
bring joy
if they come with the day’s light !

© Varsha Singh

Thanks for such a refreshing conversation. It was a pleasure talking to you. Wishing you a bright future.

Interviewed by Shweta Kesari

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