INNSÆI Journal

International Journal of Creative Literature

for Peace and Humanity (IJCLPH)

Volume II Issue 8 August 2021

Published by INNSÆI Journal

International Journal of Creative Literature

for Peace and Humanity (IJCLPH)

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Edited by

The Proofread Team, INNSÆI

Contact

General: infoinnsaeijournal@gmail.com

Submission: subinnsaiejournal@gmail.com

Disclaimer:

Opinions expressed in articles and creative pieces published in this Journal are those of

the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the editorial board or

the publisher.

Disclaimer Copyright:

All authors who submit their oeuvres for publication will abide by following provisions

of the copyright transfer:

1. The copyright of the oeuvres rests with the authors. And they are transferring the

copyright to publish the oeuvre and use the oeuvre for indexing and storing for public

use with due reference to the published matter in the name of concerned authors.

2. The authors reserve all proprietary rights such as patent rights and the right to use all

or part of the oeuvre in future works of their own.

3. In the case of republication of the whole, part, or parts thereof, in periodicals or

reprint publications by a third party, written permission must be obtained from the

Founders of INNSÆI.

4. The authors declare that the material being presented by them in this oeuvre is their

original work, and does not contain or include material taken from other copyrighted

sources.

5. Wherever such material has been included, it has been indented or/and identified by

quotation marks and due and proper acknowledgements given by citing the source at

appropriate places.

6. The oeuvre, the final version of which they submit, is not substantially the same as any

that they had already published elsewhere.

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7. They declare that they have not sent the oeuvre or any oeuvre substantially the same

as the submitted one, for publication anywhere else.

8. Furthermore, the author may only post his/her version provided acknowledgement is

given to the original source of publication in this journal and a link is inserted wherever

published.

9. All contents, Parts, written matters, publications are under the copyright act taken by

INNSÆI.

10. Published oeuvres will be available for use by scholars and researchers.

INNSÆI is not responsible in any type of claim on publication in our Journal.

© 2021 Copyright INNSÆI Journal (IJCLPH)

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VISION

An honest voice having the vision to provide a vibrant literary culture with the

creative writers with the literary commune to promote peace and humanity in the

society.

MISSION

1. To provide a vibrant literary culture among the creative writers.

2. To encourage the development of poets and writers in society.

3. An initiative to promote peace and humanity in society.

4. To provide an ambience among the literary communities to work together for a

common cause.

5. To provide a platform for human expression for the deep inner expression of

suppressed thoughts.

6. To encourage hidden voice from the grass-root contributors allowing them to

express human values.

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Table of Content

Disclaimer ………………………………………………………………………….. (ii)

Vision and Mission ………………………………………………………………… (iv)

1. Founders’ Voice …………………………………………………………………... 1

2. Cover Story

Tagore's Redefining Elegance in GITANJALI to a Magnum Opus: A Renaissance

Genius by Dr Savita Patil (India) ….….……………….…...…...…………………….... 5

3. Interview

An Erudite Conversation with a Creative Soul Hon. Onanong Kaewsomboon

(Thailand) by Dr Sanjeev Kumari Paul (India) ….………………………...…...……… 12

4. Esteemed Guest of Honour – Hon. Deepak K Choudhary (India) ……………….. 25

5. Featured Writers

Poetry

Teji Sethi (India)…………….. …..…………………………………......…….... 30

Essay

Suparna Roy (India)……..………………………………….…………...….…... 33

6. Poetry

Narcissistic Words by Afsana Khatoon (India) ……….………………...…....... 39

Can’t Breathe by Pankhuri Sinha (India) ……………….……………….…….. 41

Life Instruction by Priyanka Riya (India)……………..………...…………….....44

The Blank Chair by Sudipta Chowdhury (India)……………………...…..…… 47

The Beauty of Love by Shalini Samuel (India)...……...………………...…….... 49

Song of a Submissive by Jhilam Adhikary (India)…….……………….………. 52

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Maa by Pooja Mandla (India)…..………………………………………….…... 56

The Queen by Sree Varshni S (India) ………………………..………….…….. 58

Wise granny parrot by Anandavalli Chandran (India)……………...…………... 60

Fear by Deepa Lakshmi Prakash (India)……………………………...………... 62

I Wish by Misna Chanu (India) ……………………………………………...... 64

Love has flavour by Hasmukh Mehta (India).…………………......………...…. 66

For Peace by Nisha Rana (India)…..…………...…………...…….…………..... 69

Perception by Afrose Saad (Bangladesh)……………………….……………… 72

A Poet’s Love by Debdoot Mukherjee (India) ……………………….…...….... 74

The Sea of Agony by Samiksha Bhatnagar (India) …………….……..…..……. 76

Memories of Happiness by Indrani Chowdhury (India)…………..…......……... 78

Its Name is Victory by Pratibha Chauhan (India)………....……….…………... 81

Causation by P Muralidharan (India)………..………………..………………... 83

Life’s Mathematics by Poonam Sood (India) …….……...……………..……..... 85

Possibilities by Marsha Warren Mittman (USA)……………………………….. 87

Accept Me As I Am by Sudha Viswanath (India)……………………………….89

Macrocosm by Koyel Mitra (India)……………………………………………..91

A Little Too More For A Little Too Less by Devidatta Mohapatra (India)…..…94

Secrets by Kakoli Ghosh (India)………………………………………………..97

A Profile at Night by Tapas Dey (India) …………………….……………….. 100

Singularity by Arundhati Mukherjee (India) …...………………………………102

Ocean by Kirti (India) …………………………………….…………………..105

INNSÆIANS’ VOICE

Love, Too Young, Hopes Yet To Grow by Sweta Kumari (India) …………....107

THOUGHTS: Wandering Wonderers by Orbindu Ganga (India) ……………110

7. Quotes with the Images

Quotes by Pooja Mandla (India)…………… ………..………..………..……. 114

Quote by Sree Varshni S (India) ……..………………….……...……….......... 116

Quotes by Afrose Saad (Bangladesh) ………………………………..….….… 118

Quotes by Koyel Mitra (India) ………………………………………….…… 121

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INNSÆIAN’S VOICE

Quotes by Supriya Mali (India) …..….…………………...………………........ 123

8. Published and Upcoming Books

Three Books of P Muralidharan (India)……………………………………….126

Two Books of Misna Chanu (India) ………………………………………….128

One book of Koyel Mitra (India)…………………………………………...…131

9. The Sea, Within INNSÆI ..……………………..…….…………….…………….. 133

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Remembering Rabindranath Tagore on his 80th

Death Anniversary

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FOUNDERS’ VOICE

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Founders’ Voice

Dear Readers,

Greetings...!!!

It's been a thing of satisfaction that

"Our journey is pleasant though tough; experiencing growth though painstaking".

At every juncture, we found various mighty literary giants who raised their supportive

hands to raise the heights of our journal. Supreme Gratitude to Them...!!!

The present year is the 80th Death Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore who is

known as Bangla Renaissance Polymath, redefining the music and literature of Bangla to

the global audience. His preaching through his literature is like a lighthouse in the storms

of life. We are paying tribute to him through our journal.

INNSÆI Journal has announced an anthology, 'Lilith, Explore Your Inner Voice' of

poetry to empower women. Poets around the globe are responding enthusiastically. Soon,

our Journal will start its publications.

Thanks to Almighty for answering our prayers that the pandemic wave is declining. Still,

let's pray for humanity. Once again, through words of Prayers, we are praying for the

physical and mental health of Humanity around the Globe.

Come, let’s pray...

Let all the strings of human hearts be joined to create Harmony in the world…

Let all the souls in the Cosmos get Peaceful, Calm and Healthy life Again…

Let all the music orchestrate itself for Peace in the world …

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Let the world be a beautiful and heavenly abode forever …

Kind Regards,

Orbindu Ganga and Tejaswini Patil, Ph.D.

Founder Directors, INNSÆI JOURNAL,

An International Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity

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COVER STORY

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(Photo Courtesy: Google)

Remembering Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on his 80th death Anniversary

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Tagore's Redefining Elegance in GITANJALI to a Magnum

Opus: A Renaissance Genius

Dr Savita Patil (India)

Editorial Board Member, INNSÆI

International Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity

In the words of W. B. Yeats, “Rabindranath Tagore have stirred my blood as

nothing has for years…” Above enunciation is apt when we glance at the life and literary

career of Rabindranath Tagore. He has left a huge legacy of lofty, sublime, and

humanitarian thought. In the present global context, we should acclaim him as

“Renaissance Icon”. Here, rather than dealing with a traditional definition of renaissance,

I would mention it regarding intellectual basis. The intellectual basis of the renaissance

goes as the version of “humanism”. The word is derived from the concept of

“humanitas” and returning of “Classical Greek Philosophy.” Such philosophy focused

“humankind as a measure of all things.” So, when we study the literary work of

Rabindranath Tagore, the above concept appears relevant to his personality. This

thinking manifested in Rabindranath Tagore’s works of art, painting, and literature as

well. He articulated his philosophy of keeping “human-kind” and “nature” at the center

of his writings for paving a fresh path for the world.

So, such a humanitarian icon furrowed the land of the human mind and planted

the sapling of spirituality, humanism, cultural awareness, and sensitivity among the

people. He cultivated the culture of ‘humanism’ in society. So, it is right to call him a

‘Renaissance Icon’ of India.

As a boy, Rabindranath Tagore was surrounded by literature, art, and music. As a

result, his poetry is abundant with simplicity and musical quality. Like Chaucer, his poetry

is meant to be sung. At 19, he wrote his first novel; and plays when he was a little older.

The relevance of his plays is universal, so over the ages, its performance in today’s global

world highlights its significance. Like his age, Rabindranath Tagore’s literature gradually

transited from nature description, love poetry to a deeper level of religious and

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philosophical thought. His hymns proved an all-time inspiration for humankind. His

writing ignited the dead minds of human- being. He watered the feeling of

encouragement, world brotherhood, spirituality, hope, and female sensibility among

people. He urged the people to live life rather than giving it up for trivial things. In the

present scenario, by facing many sorrows, people disown their lives in depression. They

slaughter their ‘selves’ in fear of hurdles of life. Rabindranath Tagore enlivens the people

through his words. He generates the perception of ‘revival’ in “Gitanjali” and says

“It is the same life that

Shoots in joy through the

dust of the earth in

numberless blades of grass

and breaks into tumultuous

waves of leaves and flowers.” (Source: Gitanjali)

Since the Renaissance, the oeuvres of European saints ceased to captivate the

attention of the people. But abundance of metaphor, plenty of imagery, musical quality, a

cry of flesh, reflection of aesthetic thought in lucid and simple language is the key

strength of Rabindranath Tagore’s writings. Thus, his writings induce the body and soul

of human-beings in an ephemeral and deserted land of life.

Similarly, his novels, short-stories, poems, dramas, and essays are consisted with

the topics of political and personal issues. Through his literature, Rabindranath Tagore

became vocal of human-kind, their cries and suppressions and unnatural contemplation.

His characters kindled the inspiration among the people with profound thoughts. The

presence of feministic sensibility in his writings unveils the other side of his thought. He

annunciates the suppression of women in his writing and lines up their predicament

becoming the mouthpiece through characters. Similarly, he explores the journey of

women’s grief through the images of Kadambini, Haimanti, Binodini, Bimala, and Suman

and so many. He endeavores to lash out radical societal norms for women and compells

others also to look at women as a human being. It is presumed that only women writers

can be vocal in female sensibility, but Rabindranath Tagore is an exception for this

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outlook. From his women characters, Tagore has developed concept of feminism which

is much remarkable and highlights his understanding of women’s trauma even being a

man.

Although Rabindranath Tagore belonged to an affluent family, he had a keen eye

to look at the sufferings of the common people. It is said that his stay ‘Shelidah

(Rajshahi) offered him a huge material for the short-stories as he came to know the life

and pathetic situation of the people around him. Ernest Rhys says “he came into touch

with the life of the people, and wrote down hot from the life, tales and parables dealing

with their everyday affairs.” So, his many characters belong to lower class. His humanistic

sensibility appears in many lyrics. According to him, God is not found in temple but it is

in hearts of lowliest of low. He vehemently attacks the false belief of society in the

following verse. He says

“Leave this chanting and singing and telling of beads! Whom dost thou worship

in this lonely dark corner of a temple with doors all shut? Open thine eyes and

see thy God is not before thee!” (source: Gitanjali)

From above lines, we can notice that he was not only a man of letters but also full

of social sensibility. The God is with the stone breaker, the tiller, and the honest labourer.

He became mouth piece of these people through his writings who had no words.

Similarly, he took part in many social movements in order to serve the society.

Similarly, his association with nature fixes him with the greatest nature poetry of

the world. The forms, the colours, the landscapes of nature would fascinate him and he

restored it in his literature to bring the readers close to nature. Rabindranath Tagore’s

identification with nature and of merging with herself is unparalleled. His work “Fugitive

III -7 unveils his mingling with nature and it reflects in the following lines—

“How often great Earth, have I felt my being yearn to flow over you,

sharing in the happiness of each blade that raises its signal banner

in answer to the beckoning blue of the sky. I feel as if I had belonged to

you ages before I was born. That is why, in the days when the autumn

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light shimmers on the mellowing ears of rice, I seem to remember a past

when my mind was everywhere, and even to hear voices as of play-fellows

echoing from the remote and deeply veiled party. When in the evening

the cattle return to their fields raising dust from the meadow paths, as

the moon rises higher than the smoke ascending from the village huts,

I feel sad as for some great separation, that happened in the first morning

of existence.” (Source: Gitanjali, A Critical Study)

His work is remarkable for the confluence of ‘simplicity’ and ‘sublimity’ of

thoughts in his work. In the earlier phase of his career, he sings of human being in

connection with nature, in the next phase he sings of human being in relation with God

and in final phase, he sings of him in relation with other society. Rabindranath Tagore

despised the evils of materialism for decaying the spirituality from human mind. Thus, he

is a great humanist, realist and internationalist. Words are little avail to mention his each

writing in this article because it is like filling water in the cups of hand from ocean. To

read his literature, to contemplate over it and live on the line of his thought process will

be the true tribute to Rabindranath Tagore. So, let’s revisit ‘Gurudev’ through his oeuvres

and get enlivened.

About the Writer

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Dr Savita Patil (India)

Dr. Savita Vardhaman Patil works as a head of English Department in Dr Babasaheb

Ambedkar College, Aundh, Pune. She has presented many research papers in

International, National conferences. Her poems have been published in an International

anthology entitled “Feeling with You” and in other leading magazines. She is a creative

writer and published her short story in volume II entitled “Voices from the Society.”

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INTERVIEW

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An Erudite Conversation with a Creative Soul

Hon. Onanong Kaewsomboon (Thailand)

Onanong Kaewsomboon (Jang) was born and raised at Prachuap Khiri Khan Province,

Thailand. She graduated from Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University. She started her first

job by working as a graphic designer in a company for 8 years before deciding to quit and

dedicate her time to work on art that she loved .When Jang was still studying and

working, she experienced with various art techniques. It was her turning point when she

began to use black ink to draw without any planned thinking, models, or pre-sketches,

resulting in a set of monochromatic artwork which has influenced her works these days.

She named the set “Imperfection.” 4 years later, Jang exhibited the set of art and also

named the exhibition “Imperfection.” It was held at The People Gallery, Bangkok Art

& Culture Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. After the exhibition, she continued exhibiting

some of the works from Imperfection at Drip Coffee in Hua Hin District, Prachuap

Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. Because Onanong was born in Hua Hin, she also wanted

people from Hua Hin to see her works. She named the exhibition “Miss Hua Hin.” Jang

then had a chance to work with LIXIL (Thailand) Pub Co., Ltd. With LIXIL, she had her

3 rd solo exhibition titled “Life is Art.” To be a way to help the society, an amount of

money acquired from the exhibition was donated to The Chaipattana Foundation. Jang

has a deep bond with her family, her childhood life, and events that have happened in her

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life. These are the main factors and her inspirations which can be seen through her

artistic works, bringing forth her fourth solo exhibition titled “SUFFER:SWEET” which

was held at Li-Bra-Ry Café, The Jam Factory, Bangkok, Thailand. It is a great

opportunity that Jang’s art was exhibited as a part of Unknown Asia Art Exchange Osaka

2016 which were held in Osaka, Japan. Her mural works in which she co-operated with

students at UNJ (Universitas Negeri Jakarta), Jakarta, Indonesia for the first time, this

was the second time that her art was exhibited overseas. Artist Mission Statement: As an

artist, the most Jang expects is to create art continuously. Thus, she dedicates her effort

to art and never waits for a chance, but rather walks toward the chance by herself.

Exhibition

2015

–Solo Exhibition “Imperfection” at Bangkok Art & Culture Centre

–Solo Exhibition “Miss Hua Hin” at Gallery Drip Coffee Hua Hin

–Solo Exhibition “Life is Art” atLixil Showroom, Crystal Design

Center, Bangkok, Thailand

- Artist Talks & Mural Painting at universitas negeri Jakarta,

Indonesia

2016

– Group Exhibition , Nan art festival, Nan Province, Thailand

–Solo Exhibition“Suffer:Sweet” at Li-bra-ly cafe The jam factory, Bangkok, Thailand

– Unknown Asia Art Exchange osaka 2016 Art Fair At

DAIBIRU&DOJIMA CROSS WALK

– UNKNOWN ASIA EXTRA, ASIAN ART EXCHANGE2016,

Daibiru &amp ; Dojima Cross Walk 21 Nov – 28 Dec 2016

2017

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– Group Exhibition “Couple” by 956 at RCB Galleria, River City

Bangkok

– Group Exhibition “BALANCE” 19 July – 7 August 2017

AtChamchuri art gallery, Bangkok

-Group Exhibition “The Royal Father in Our Hearts” Event hall

3 floor, O.P. Place Bangkok

-Group Exhibition “Mind” Siam@siam Hotel Bangkok

-JAL CAN AYE contemporary Artist network 7 – 9 October

2017 At LOTTE Observation Deck, Hanoi, Vietnam

2018

-Group Exhibition” Divas “at River City, Bangkok, Thailand

– Group Exhibition “Nu.dern” 12 May – 2 June 2018 At

Sathorn11 Art Space

– Solo show, Girl and Animal Friends, M Floor, The Emquatier,

Bangkok, Thailand

- HOTEL ART FAIR BANGKOK, 37 Pillas Suit and Residences

Bangkok

-Group Exhibition” Never Ending Fantasy” at Sathorn11 Art

Space

-Open Your Eyes Open Your Mind, Art Exhibition by 12 Artist 1-

29 October 2018 At Changchui , Bkk , Curated by So Gallery

2019

- Water Colour Workshop at Chiang Khong, Chaingrai

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-One Love Art Exhibition at One Nimman

-TainTain Xiang Shang :Art is Learning Learning is Arts An

exbibition by Danny Yung 1 Mar – 12 April 2019 At 8 th Floor,

BACC

- “MEIHUA” Solo Exhibition at LHONG1919, Bangkok, Thailand

- HOTEL ART FAIR BANGKOK, W Hotel, Bangkok

-Baramee of Art Charity 1 10 August 2019 at Baramee

Dhamma Hall The Environment for Mindfulness&Creativities

-In Remembrance of Our Great King 09 October 2019 – 05

December 2019 AtBaramee Dhamma Hall The Environment for

Mindfulness&amp ;Creativities

2020

- One Love Art Exhibition 2020, 13-17 February 2020 At One

Nimman, Chiangmai

- ATM SPRAY X BETONG STREET ART, Betong, Yala,

Thailand

- The Journey of Mouseat MEGABANGNA 2020

-Flower Talk 14 -28 March 2020 At RCB Artery 1 Floor,River

City Bangkok

- Her Love A GROUP EXHIBITION BY HERSPECTIVE 1 – 28

February 2020 At Yelo House

-SHUT, A group Exhibition 18 Oct – 5 Dec 2020 at Baramee of Art

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An Erudite Conversation with a Creative Soul

Hon. Onanong Kaewsomboon (Thailand)

by Dr Sanjeev Kumari Paul (India)

Editorial Board Member, INNSÆI

International Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity

Sanju Paul: Welcome to the interview chamber of INNSÆI

Onanong Kaewsomboon: Thank you very much, Sanju.

Sanju Paul: When did you first thought of becoming a painter and why?

Onanong: I have always loved to paint since my childhood. At university, I chose to

study communications design and after that, I worked for a printing design company for

8 years. During my free time, I created art in the way that I enjoyed, and as I had the

opportunity to immerse myself in art and literature, I also discovered my identity. That

was the changing point that urged me to resign from my position and I began to think of

becoming a painter. However, at that time, I did not think I was good enough to make a

career out of painting until I submitted my work to be considered for an exhibition at the

Bangkok Art & Culture Center, and my work was chosen to be on display. This gave me

confidence to create art in my own way – which I had a talent for – and I told myself that

I could achieve anything if I had the determination and the effort. Since then, I became a

professional artist.

Sanju Paul: What is the best thing about being an artist in your opinion?

Onanong: As an artist, I can communicate with the public and express my opinion on

different issues through my work. Art is a universal language that can express our

thoughts and the thoughts of other people while igniting positive changes in society.

Most importantly, art lives on forever.

Sanju Paul: Kindly tell our readers about the techniques and mediums that you

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use in your paintings?

Onanong: I use various mediums and techniques – from acrylics, drawing, water colors,

to clay sculpting. However, I use acrylics the most as it has no unpleasant odors and I can

simply use water to mix or wash out the paint from brushes.

Sanju Paul: What is that prominent girl character in your paintings? How did you

discover that?

Onanong: My character was created from the free drawings of my imagination using

black ink on paper. Once when I looked through a collection of works, I found that this

girl character was prominent in several pieces. Thus, I expanded her character using

acrylics on canvas and I added other dimensions to her story. Since then, she has

represented my expressions towards the world.

Sanju Paul: How does it feel to be a full time artist? What are the challenges that

you face during your journey as an artist?

Onanong: There are both good and bad times for an artist. I have a lot of happy

moments of freedom however, that freedom also meant that I must maintain strict

discipline when I work, as art does not generate a steady wage, only income when it sells.

To generate an income and to sell a piece of art takes time, practice without failure, and

good planning.

Sanju Paul: How about the support of your family to your art endeavours?

Onanong: My family has always given me the freedom to choose my own path in life

.They have always been understanding and supportive of my career, so I think I am very

lucky that I am able to be true to my passion by creating art and being myself.

Sanju Paul: What are your experiences with the people who visit your exhibitions?

The differences of perception, appreciation of paintings among artist and non-

artist observers, their feed backs etc.?

Onanong: No matter the audience, I often discover new friendships in every art

exhibition. Everyone has the freedom to feel any way towards art however people have

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different feelings and thoughts when they view a piece of work, as they are influenced by

their own experiences in life. Some people may wish for an explanation so that they

understand what goes on inside the mind of the artist, while others enjoy viewing art and

experiencing it privately in their own way.

Sanju Paul: You have continuously been doing exhibitions for the last almost five

years. Tell us which one of them was most satisfying and why?

Onanong: The exhibition that I am most satisfied with is my latest show called Meihua

as both the content and the artworks were very different from my previous works. The

show focused on Chinese history as prominent historical figures such as Empress

Dowager Cixi was showcased in a modern style. Moreover, the exhibition was held at

LHONG 1919 which used to be a warehouse that stored goods from China before being

renovated into a riverside attraction by the Chao Phraya River. Thus, the art perfectly

matched the venue.

However, my first exhibition at BACC still remains very impressive for me as the show

changed my life and allowed me to live my dream which is creating art every day.

Sanju Paul: Would you like to share something about your art plans in future?

Onanong: I always work and participate in exhibitions in Thailand. Once the pandemic

situation improves, I plan to exhibit overseas as well because it would be amazing to

connect with a wider audience. Though we can post our art on the internet, I still enjoy

exploring and introducing my work to people in new places to gain a different

perspective.

Sanju Paul: Message to our readers and aspiring artists.

Onanong: I rely on my natural self as a light to guide my art, and I truly have faith in this

path. I believe that all of us have their own natural identity that guides them as well.

.

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Some kind of flowers bloom in daylight,

like a dream, 2021

30 x 35 cm

Acrylic on canvas

Sometime I see myself, 2021

70 x 70 cm

Acrylic on canvas

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The Girl in a Mystical Garden, 2021

100 x 120 cm

Acrylic on canvas

Yayoi

80x100cm

2018

Acrylic on canvas

Butterfly girl No.4

70x70cm

2018

Acrylic on canvas

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About the Interviewer

Dr Sanjeev Kumari Paul (India)

Sanju Paul is her pen name, original being Sanjeev Kumari Paul. She is a veterinarian by

profession and a poet and an artist by passion. She belongs to Himachal Pradesh (India)

and has been involved in multiple projects of artistic as well as scientific temperaments

ranging from very local to global ones. She has also developed an artistic technique of

carved and washed paintings using discard PVC sheets as the canvas. Pen sketching is

another art form she uses to express herself. Besides, she also has a short film named

“Catharsis” to her credit.

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ESTEEMED GUEST OF HONOUR

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Hon. Deepak K Choudhary (India) Deepak K Choudhary is a Delhi-based writer, blogger, editor and translator with a

Master’s degree in English literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University. A polyglot gifted

with a flair for writing, he has penned poems and prose pieces in English, Hindi and his

mother tongue Maithili. His poems have been featured in some widely known journals

and magazines such as The South Asian Ensemble, Vigil Pub Magazine, Indian Africanist,

Samakaleen Bharatiya Sahitya, Gagananchal, etc. His two poetry books (solo collections of

poems) titled BIRDS LIKE US and THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS came out in July 2018

August 2020, respectively. He has also translated more than 100 African poems in

Hindi. His translation of a collection of Hindi poems titled LIKHA NAHI EK SHABD

(originally penned by Amit Kumar Malla) was published as NOT A WORD WAS

WRITTEN by Zorba Books in 2017. For his blogs and social media posts, he

occasionally uses the pen-name ‘Deepak Darshak’ or only ‘Darshak’.

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Blind Beggars

Hon. Deepak K Choudhary

The thoroughfare that keeps us together

And makes us palpable, rarely looks blanked out for jamborees

Every day, the crowded profile of the urban underbelly pulsates with

Pools of brittle postures, pokes, prevarications mixing birds and butterflies,

Honks and clanks stirring unusual tunes, cracks in the walled prominence,

Choreography of effete trinkets with a restive longing for the Moon

Shimmers revel on the happening expenses

Now and then, burnishing obsolete backyards, where

Tin pots tease old, shabby hands, where

Stagnation tests the roots of hapless patience, where

Peregrine freaks sink in bracelet flashes and

A wanton haze hangs around to buy peeks into

A glossy Babel of brittle, candy-floss dreams

We are set to fall in the gargantuan chaos,

And the proximity, a desire for eerie equation that makes

Our arms open out to touch the sky,

And our hearts, enclosed in obscure cossets,

Shriveled like autumn leaves, wake up to

The call of roses, rolling by and ricocheting

In outlandish gleams

We want to catch the road with its growing tail,

And the effervescent fantasy brings us to

Our bodies emerging from narrow caves,

Stitched together, making a tapestry

To fill in the pebbled silence of our streams

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The vast blue roof keeps blazing overhead,

Travails, long and labyrinthine, tie all to

The fate of a shipwreck, survivors marooned at

Sundry stretches of desolation

Crooning inconsequentially, we move ahead,

Striding in the light of one another’s voice

Shining through the stretches of

Long days and long night

The journey might be too long, but it would free us all of our woes,

Wash off the scars of sufferings, the journey might be too painful,

But it would bring back our faces we had lost at our birth

Let’s fancy for the sake of fancying,

That the worst is gone and the best is just a yard away,

It’s time to realize the enormous length of our own voices

And tell the world that beggars can be choosers too

Crooning and dancing,

We move ahead

In the wild of longing minnows, where

Feet never stop to wait for one another

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FEATURED WRITERS

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POETRY

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Teji Sethi (India)

Teji Sethi is a nutritionist by profession. She transitioned from micronutrients to micro

poetry. She currently resides in Bangalore and a freelance in creative writing. While most

of her poems are a mélange of her life experiences, the subject close to her heart is the

narratives of India-Pakistan Partition. She has authored three collections of poems. Her

award-winning poem, Kapaas Ke Phool was translated in Punjabi and broadcasted over

Radio Lahore. Her bilingual poems in free-verse, haikai verse and artwork have been

published and acclaimed nationally and internationally. She is one of the poets featured in

the coveted ‘Year book of Indian Poetry in English 2021’.

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The Whispers of Melancholy

Teji Sethi

evening skies --

the murmur of orange

in the breeze

autumn breeze --

her forehead still moist

with the parting kiss

sunset hour …

my only friend

an old park bench

beach walk …

a trail of footprints

behind me

lonely tonight –

the blue of a ghazal

deepens

note: the first and the fifth haiku have an element of ‘synaesthesia’

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ESSAY

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Suparna Roy (India)

Suparna Roy has got her Master’s degree from University of Kalyani. Presently, she is

pursuing B.Ed. degree .She wants to explore more ‘deconstructive’ ideas in the field of

literature. She has published few of her works too. She is currently engaged as a co-

author in few anthologies. She has done internship as Campus Ambassador for a Delhi

based NGO- Hamari Pahchan, and also worked as a Research intern for one month

under Think India Tribal Rights Forum. She has participated in international events for

social rights- John Humprey Centre and AWID, both virtually She also has completed

short courses via virtual platforms from Universities of Monash, Islandiae, Standford,

Harvard, Wesleyan, and Sree Sankara College. She has been awarded scholarship in

higher secondary education and global excellence award. She has attended government

funded residential workshop on Sexuality Studies. Presently, she is a communicative

English trainer at Inzpira, Kerela.

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Absurd Narratives: Reflection on Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot (1953)

Suparna Roy

Harold Pinter explained the absurdist concept best in his 1962’s speech- “Writing for the

Theatre”, which was presented at the National Student Drama Festival in Bristol, where

he said, “I suggest that there can be no hard distinctions between what is real and what is

unreal, nor between what is true and what is false.” The drama that I, therefore, opted

here is Waiting for Godot (1953), which reflects the dream like, lyrical, surreal features

prominent of the Absurdist Theatre and which clearly indicates a deeper meaning;

however, which is never fully explained. Absurdism is a belief that a search for meaning is

inherently in conflict with the actual lack of meaning, but one should both accept this

and simultaneously rebel against it by embracing what life has to offer. Absurdism is the

notion of contrast between two things as Albert Camus explained in The Myth of Sisyphus-

“The absurdist born out of this confrontation between the human need and the

unreasonable silence of the world.” Beckett in his play Waiting for Godot, has tried to

present a correlation between being seeing and existing, where the character expressed

their basic desire for acceptance through their obsession with being seen. The characters’

existence is therefore a product of the constant fracas between the lack of meaning and

yet a search for it, the need of truth yet the existence of lies. My paper would therefore

try to present how this thin line of tension between truth and lies reverberates, where the

tramps search for the ‘purpose’ of their lives, the reason of their existence, becomes a

rotational and chaotic process in this play.

The Absurdist literary movement gained popularity throughout the European countries

from 1940s to approximately 1989. Looking up to a dictionary, one finds the

meaning/definition of ‘absurd’ as ‘something that is completely stupid and unreasonable’,

which further in a musical context means “out of harmony” (The Theatre of the Absurd,

23). Absurdist playwrights generally adhered to the theories of Albert Camus (a French

Algerian philosopher) and his particular work- Myth of Sisyphus 1942, where he argues that

a man’s quest for meaning in life is a futile endeavor. Apparently, the churning power

behind the movement was the results of Second World War and what people particularly

perceived as the degeneration of traditional and moral values. Absurdist work hardly

follows a clear plot and the actions which take place heighten this particular sense that

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characters are mere victims of uncontrollable forces that rules and overpowers them. The

absurdist works more clearly reflected the arbitrary force which is beyond the reach of

living beings is that power which regulates our lives. The plays which fall under this

category are the ones which deal with human existence as nonsensical and more often

riotous. John Dryden’s “Essay of Dramatick Poesie” has attempted to elevate emotions

through mirth and sadness, a similarity of which is visible in Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

too. The absurdity is the result of disillusionment with rationalism, which has attempted

to justify the exploitation of the working class and the poor, the unquestionable belief in

evolution and progress, the more realistic approach- the affluence of the rich, the

sufferings of the poor, the wanton yet condoned destructive results of the two world

wars. The absurdist literature has wacked to depict and frame a protest caricature, for a

world without faith, meaning, direction, purpose, and freedom of will. Few prominent

works includes Arthur Adams’s Ping Pong (1955), Jean Genet’s The Maids (1947) and the

play I chose to work on- Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot (1953). Jean Paul Sarte

regarded “Existence precedes Essence”! Existence of Humanism is quite the same; living

beings are constructed with the notion that their need has created their existence.

Perception was accompanied by meaninglessness and nothingness. Beckett has

represented clearly through Vladimir and Estragon’s ‘to and fro’ movements how true a

phenomenon is the chaotic purposeless search. Beckett’s solution to existential despair

derives from Berkeley’s (an eighteenth century idealist) idealism in which nothing exists

without being perceived- “esse-is-precipi, that to be is to be perceived”. A correlation

between being seen and existing is clearly exhibited in the play through Beckett’s

characters. Godot’s continual absence makes the tramps living puppets by wasting their

time, in the world of absurd, therefore they simply “let it go waste” (Beckett, 52), instead

of finding an appropriate way to spend it. It can be perceived that Beckett’s intention of

creating these characters was to make them the victim of time (an uncontrollable force);

just as what the focal point of absurdist theory lies- characters are victim of some

recalcitrant forces. Anthony Chadwick refers to this victimization in his article “Waiting

for Godot”

“We seem to have the choice between waiting for one ‘better’ thing after another

or simply living with what we have. Both past and future are the illusion and seen

under this aspect, we begin to taste the notion of eternity.”

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In 1962, Martin Esslin wrote his book on the topic of the ‘absurd’ genre of theatre simply

titled “The Theatre of the Absurd”. In the book, Esslin mentions the Romanian and French

playwright’s Eugéne Ionesco’s definition for the absurd “Absurd is that which is devoid

of purpose...Cut off from his religious, metaphysical, and transcendental roots, man is

lost; all his actions become senseless, absurd, useless” (Esslin, 23). The tramps’

excitement to meet the very mysterious Godot may be a representation of a human’s very

desire to fill up the gap between birth and death with something meaningful, so that this

purpose can create a harmony of existences in this not so harmonious world. This period

can be counted in the form of hope that connects the birth or beginning to the end or

death. The tramps do not hang themselves and they continue their journey, coming again

to meet Godot on the next day without any significant thing happening. The escape from

suicide is mentioned by Albert Camus, “Since life has lost all meaning, man must not

seek escape in suicide” (Camus, 33). When man cannot find any meaning of his life, his

existence, then the living becomes absurd and it is this absurd state that Camus refers as

“philosophical suicide”.

The play suggests that ‘Waiting’ is the only choice that the tramps have if they want to

continue their lives and Godot simply seems to represent that object of waiting because

‘waiting’ is something, that essential nature/character of any human’s existence without

which survival cannot be counted. Martin Esslin regarded that “waiting is an essential

characteristic of human condition” and ceases the play as the production which produces

the feelings of uncertainty;

“In Waiting for Godot, the feeling of uncertainty it produces, the ebb and flow of

this uncertainty- from the hope of discovering the density of Godot to its

repeated disappointment are themselves the essence of play.”

Beckett uses language based on pattern of concrete images rather than argument and

discursive speech, and since then language is trying to present the sense of beings, it can

neither investigate nor solve problems of moral, conduct, or communication. The

language here is fragmented. At times, there is also a breakdown of languages in the play.

Beckett shows the limitation of language when it comes to expressing or communicating.

A clear presentation of the same is Lucky’s Speech, the most unusual yet the most

spectacular part of the play. It occurs in the middle of the play and continues for three

pages. Apparently, it seems as an expression of absurd, arabesque thoughts, babbles,

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symbols, but it is also insightful and therefore open to explanations. It is important for its

style, context, although it may seem senseless. Lucky’s speech though aghast Posso but

for Vladimir and Estragon it is full of thoughtfulness and revolted pain. The speech takes

a form of long internal monologue and jumbling up of words upsets Vladimir and

Estragon. The speech does not lack form, rather its form is in itself a spiritual statement-

“Given the existence…of a personal God” (Beckett, 36-38). Its parody of the statement

for the insignificant and senseless gets focused and obscured like the god of whom Lucky

may speak. The speech is invalid or it may be an effort to showcase the relation between

man and God, because the God is beyond time and space who both love and abandon us

“for unknown reasons” (Beckett, 36). The speech concludes in an unfinished way which

not only refers an incomplete ending but also the expurgated dwindling of human

process! The waiting for the mysterious Godot has been a question- who is this? Why is

he so important? Why doesn’t he appear? Why are they waiting? All these questions

remain unknown and unanswered; moreover, the setting, background is not revealed.

Thus reflecting the uncertainty of the absurdist theatre- the play opens without any

details and clear reference and ends without reaching any climax, at the same place where

it commenced (The Theatre of Absurd, 21-23).

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POETRY

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Afsana Khatoon (India)

Afsana Khatoon has completed M. Phil. from University of Kalyani, Nadia. Her research

areas are Greek mythology, American poetry, Deconstruction and Feminism. She has

done her B. A. (English Honors) from Surendranath Evening College and M. A. in

English from University of Calcutta. She has passed NTA NET, December 2019 and

22nd SLET, West Bengal.

khatoon111.ak@gmail.com

Publication (chapters):

1. ‘Efflorescence’ (2016), Naba Ballygunge Mahavidyalaya, ISSN 22783873.

2. Voices: Concepts and Perspectives (2019), ISBN 978-93-88207-78-2.

3. Marginalization in Literature Critical Perspectives (2020), ISBN 978-93-90155-26-2.

4. Writing the Pandemonium: Perspectives on Pandemic Literature (2021), ISBN:

978-81-952119-0-6.

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Narcissistic Words

Afsana Khatoon

They burnt

And turned everything into ashes,

Those Narcissistic words

The earth grew mossy, gradually.

But the grey remained underneath. Untouched

Darkening with time, brittled and numerous

Each piece hoarding a lump in the throat

Breathless but alive

Still alive

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Pankhuri Sinha (India)

Pankhuri Sinha is a bilingual poet and story writer from India, who has lived in North

America for 14 years and has two books of poems published in English, two collections

of stories published in Hindi, five collections of poetry volumes published in Hindi, with

many more lined up. Has won many prestigious, national-international awards, has been

translated in over twenty two languages. Her writing is dominated by themes of exile and

immigration, gender equality and environmental concerns.

https://www.facebook.com/pankhuri.sinha.56/

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Can’t Breathe

Pankhuri Sinha

Can’t breathe in a world

Where no complaints are allowed

Against all that goes on

In the offices, in the tall sky scrapers

That come up in the Paris summit

Simply for their gas emissions and nothing else

And where the leaders of the G8

And the G20 meet

And a few protestors on the streets

Are fenced, barricaded

Slogan shouting reduced to noise.

Can’t breathe in a world

Where street walking and even twilight zone

Remains dangerous for women!

Can’t breathe in a world

Where justice is served without trial

Where lives are run and ruined on the whims

Of a gun! Where the punishment for a fake bill

Buying cigarettes was death by kneeling

And choking for George Floyd

And where punishment for adultery

Was prison for me, a graduate student

Teaching assistant in faculty humanity

In upstate New York, In Apple state New York.

Can’t breathe in a world

Which doesn’t investigate

Charges levied by a stalker

Imitating the laws of Sharia!

No, I can’t breathe in a world

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Where small town police offices

Campus or town, don’t investigate at all.

Statements, suggestions, facts, charges

And often, power just wins

Over every wrong done!

Can’t breathe in a world

Where a right wing government

Ignores all poets not praising its work

And teaches breathing exercises

On green grass in green spaces

Sparse in a country full of brick factories!

And what’s worse is that the left

Is doing the same and oh, my god!

Its terrifying parties are recruiting poets

And the court days are back!

And the regime infiltrating

Is talking about a free voice!

Oh my God! I can’t breathe!

Can’t breathe in a world

Where no regrets are allowed

Not even the ones about not being aggressive

Against a fighter, pretending to be a teacher

Applauded, lauded in Washington DC!

Can’t breathe in a world

Where cute little, lovely looking

Small public offices in idyllic places

Play petty politics, bad game!

George Floyd, I can’t breathe in this world!

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Priyanka Riya (India)

Priyanka is an author, writer, poetess, and short story writer. She was born to the Indian

traditional family in Telangana, India. She completed her masters in AIMS. She had a

different career with family and hold down a job before authoring. She started her part

time writings with short stories, which influenced her to make inspiring herself and

others. “Peter and Bob spent a night in a graveyard” is her first short story. She has written

many stories, poems, and quotes to motivate everyone.

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Life Instruction

Priyanka Riya

My life challenges for sickness, Mind for health,

Money for poverty, Job for wealth,

Friends for joy, Problems for sorrow,

Life today and Life tomorrow;

Fate in my Life, and Torch in my Life,

Birds humming for morning, noon and night,

Life is when all around gives way

Life in my everlasting Stay;

Lottery in my Rest, and Taste in my Food

Salary above my highest good,

Goodness for my Well-beloved Friend

Well in my Pleasure without end;

God is my Savior, He is my Lord

Parents are my Portion, they are my God,

Puppy in my garden, I love him,

God Himself my soul to keep;

I’m my own Leader, life is my Peace

God Hath wrought my soul’s release,

Parents restore my wandering feet,

Love in my Advice and Praise,

Believer in who ne’er forgets the least;

Problems are my teacher, target is my Guide,

Books are my Rockstar, in god’s I hide,

Myself the Ever-living Bread,

My god and his precious Blood hath shed;

God hath brought me nigh to blessings,

God, my life is the everlasting Word.

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Life is my Master, memory in my Head,

Aims who for my sins hath bled;

God in my Glory, shine in my Crown,

My Rose Plant of great renown,

God and my Parents are Comforter on high,

Love and my life is on Hope, draws ever nigh.

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Sudipta Chowdhury (India)

Sudipta Chowdhury is Indian. She has held a postgraduate degree in Economics.

Currently she has been pursuing Bachelor of Laws. She is an avid reader and loves

writing poems and articles on human behaviour and core issues. Her poems have been

published in various web magazines, media portal, anthologies and literary journal of

national and international recognition.

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The Blank Chair

Sudipta Chowdhury

As the cacophony of silence torn my heart apart

I began to solicit my tears to ease the furore inside

My bleary eyes couldn't see the person next to me

At times, I forgot to have my morning cup of tea.

How relationships today can born without soul, I often wondered in dismay

The grey pages of my life started to crumple with every passing day

One's age doesn't define his wisdom, learnt it over the years

There were still many things remain in force, unknown and unheard.

Behind my somber lips, thousands yarns struggling to rain

In the search of an attention, my restless voice lost its veins

Whom I could rely on, I didn't find that one

Never divined, I would be left alone in my life's concluding run.

Perhaps it was the last lesson entrusted with life to teach me

'How to die alone in the arms of vacuum happily'.

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Shalini Samuel (India)

Shalini Samuel is an author of three poetry collections, namely, Singing Soul, The Painted

Life, Drizzle, comes from Kanyakumari, India. She works as a freelance content writer.

She loves reading books, solving puzzles, coloring, cooking, pets and gardening.

Spirituality, nature, and philosophy fascinate her. Her name appears in the poetry section

of magazines and anthologies now and then. She is currently working on two more

poetry collections.

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The Beauty of Love

Shalini Samuel

Discord disconnected us, half-heartedly you let me depart

The Chapel at Park Street echoes my broken song

Traffic, the horns, pitter-patter of footsteps- earsplitting

A grave stentorian roar escapes my trembling pink lips

The pavement behind looked distant and happy

The highway forward, long and congested.

Banner of newly-weds on a horseless carriage- I sob

You were a paragon, perfect like the men from the Epics

The lanterns and burnished city shops blind my eyes

Just like our magnified minuscule misunderstandings.

Everywhere I turn, the Kohl night reflects you

The distant Margosa tree reminds me of your care

Acrid at times, yet cooler was it to be your shadow.

Saxe sky reminds me of our precious prattle, surpassing comedians

You were ambitious, yet calm, canny, and composed

The kitchen was Pluto for you, far-flung and bewildering

Morning walk, slothful Sundays, the hill-station visits-

A million memories roll on the urn that’s plunged in the trash bin

Shall I pick it or let it putrefy- amour propre refuses to barge in

Why did you push me out today? Why did you let me down?

Nocturnal owl seduces its mate while a dog howls as night awakens

My calamitous life is a blank screen, sans you, I see nothing

Just colors with no meaning- you add value to my journey

I walk forward to the bus stand, the metro- where shall I go

To my parents, my brother, my friend or to my old hostel.

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I play with the random thoughts of my collapsed mind-

Should I ring you once before I bid goodbye to your anger?

Skeptical, holding a sandy brown suitcase, my soft shank moves on

Do I have money? What next? How will be my daybreak?

The consequences walk one by one at the zebra crossing

Should I have endured the pain? Did I make a mistake?

Tears roll down and my entire family of stars looks at me

A beautiful romantic Bangla song plays from my left.

"Chawl Rastay" couldn't evoke the same longing in me anymore.

Drunk men from the bar ogle at my transparent silk attire

Fear gripped my spine, a hot fire lit on my nape, burns

Trembling, I want to go back to him, wasn't I brave to face all?

Does fear keep me think of the man who pushed me out?

For one last time, I decided to turn back, and my legs take a turn

And I bump into the chest of a broad tall man in a red-checked shirt.

I raise my eyes and see him, a teary-eyed emotional lone wolf.

Sans words, we were uttering a million sentences, holding hands

We walk back on the same lane, happily. Stronger than ever

Before dawn, we were at our cozy little flat, cuddled together

The vagabond crescent-moon moonwalked with us

If only, many a couples would have had their beloved hug them

When the turn was made or their beloved turned,

The moment the other decided to come back- the courts may go jobless.

The beauty of love lies in the trust-

No matter what, you are there for me always.

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Jhilam Adhikary (India)

Jhilam Adhikary is a 2nd year student of B. A. (Hons.) in English in Amity University,

Kolkata. She wants to be a writer and activist in future. She writes in free verse. Her

poems have been published several times in e-magazines like TechTouchTalk. She usually

writes either about extreme love or about serious social issues, misconceptions, extreme

hate and pain; and her genre of choice for writing is usually experimental, absurd and

supernatural.

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53

Song of a Submissive

Jhilam Adhikary

I’m not degraded,

I’m not demeaned,

I am someone’s doll,

I am someone's dream.

I was so afraid,

Insecure, of course

It was a weakness,

But never a sin.

I was confused,

I was desperate

I was trapped in my past,

Begging for death.

Beaten and abused

They had chained my wings.

A past and a present,

And I was trapped in between.

I was yearning for love

I was tired of people leaving,

I was hurt,

And I cried sleeping.

Jeered and jested,

I was rejected

People looked down,

I was hated;

But then he stepped out,

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Of that very same crowd,

And chose me

Boldly, he claimed me

And today, he owns me.

He saved me like a knight

And the moment,

He tied me up,

My wings were free

And I became his queen.

He took my pain,

He took my suffering,

He gave me a nickname

He gave me a ring,

The entire world

No longer matters

For I have someone today,

Who would pat me lovingly

And say, “It’s ok”

For he will always be there

To take my side,

To fight for me.

But people say,

What makes me happy today

Is so “wrong and antifeminist”!

There is a collar on my neck,

I am a doll,

And I don’t exist.

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They don’t understand

How the moment he closes the curtains

The world that once laughed at me,

Becomes quiet.

I’m someone’s prized possession,

Who has searched for years

To find me,

I’m someone’s beloved,

Who has begged and cried

To earn me,

I’m someone's life,

Who is fighting everyday

To keep me.

They don’t understand,

To be my master's doll

To be my master's dream

This is not lust,

This is not a kink

If you can’t love yourself

For who you are,

Someday…

You will learn to love yourself

For your beloved master.

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Pooja Mandla (India)

Pooja Mandla is based at Dehradun, India. She is an educator by profession, but a word

weaver by passion. She has a BSc in Medical, an M.Phil. in English Literature and, a

B.Ed. degree from Punjab (Chandigarh) University. She loves to read, write, draw and

travel. She finds inspiration from nature and the surrounding people. She is passionate

about writing poems and has contributed to several online platforms. Her poems have

been published in various anthologies and international magazines. In leisure, she loves

having fun with her twin toddlers.

E-mail Id: poojamandla@yahoo.com

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Maa

Pooja Mandla

A five-letter word that encompasses the entire universe,

A subtle tapestry, woven with the golden thread of emotions intense,

Creative bliss who spreads happiness of varied hues,

Created by God from heaven above to erase all my blues.

Oh Maa, I've never seen god or goddess

You're only my God and happiness!

Your aura and presence remove all my darkness, now also even in my thirty-five plus

How enigmatic is your tender touch,

That soothes my fragile heart so much.

You even read invisible depth of my heart

And metamorphose all my pains into smiles with your art

An epitome of love you've been since the day I was born

You always shield me from the forces unknown

I get a divine comfort in your embrace

As all my thunderstorms, you bravely erase

Strong and fierce, when you protect your children,

But turn soft and gentle when giving selfless love and compassion.

Maa, you're more than a mother,

You're my support system nurturer, for invaluable life lessons, you're my teacher.

I wish and pray to Almighty,

That I always get your warm embrace till, eternity.

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Sree Varshni S (India)

Sree Varshni hailing from Tamil Nadu is a student of MCC College, Tambaram, Chennai.

She has completed her degree in BSc. Statistics in 2021. She is a highly enthusiastic and

ambitious person with a profound passion for writing. Drawing, quotes and blog writings

are her musings besides gardening. Multicuisine cooking is also in her line of conquests.

This is her first entry into journals.

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The Queen

Sree Varshni S

She doesn’t need a throne to outlive her powers

renouncing, the need for a tiara.

embarking on a life long journey.

embracing her psyche within.

Voicing out, selflessly

aspecting positivity in all degrees

rejoicing in whatever achieved and

seeking an enhanced self.

humbly advancing in every race,

nascent blooming all day and

influxing, happiness in every viable way.

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60

Anandavalli Chandran (India)

Anandavalli Chandran writes poems, stories, articles and travelogues in English and

Malayalam. She writes in English under the pen name Medhini. She has great passion for

reading and writing. She also loves music, both vocal and instrumental. She likes to travel

and explore. Medhini’s English poems are published in international journals and

Anthologies. Her two poetry books and a story book in Malayalam and an English poetry

book have been published. Anandavalli Chandran took up a permanent career and she

has about thirty three years of experience in teaching. She devotes more time to writing

after retirement.

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61

Wise granny parrot

Anandavalli Chandran

Granny parrot told her grand chick:

“Here are your bean seeds;

Eat well, one by one

And take care of yourself;

As your mom has gone to the heaven

Leaving you in my beak.

You may be knowing, sure,

The popular tale of an old parrot

Who left bean seeds under the chick’s care;

While she was away in search of some food.

When she came back home,

She measured the bean seeds;

To her surprise, it was less.

In a fit of rage, she killed the young one;

But, when she counted the seeds later

It tallied the original number;

The bean seeds got shrunk as the time passed:

So its measure was a little less.

The remorseful old parrot wept and wept

Ate no food, flew nowhere and died in the nest.

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62

Deepa Lakshmi Prakash (India)

Deepa Lakshmi Prakash hails from Kerala. She is a research scholar, who has completed

her Masters from Pondicherry Central University. Her area of interest bounds its journey

from the love for words to sight of Himalayas and to the colors of Theatres. She is a

classical-dancer, theatre enthusiast, a naturopathic practitioner. Her hands are up to and

above all a charmer and keeper of love for life’s liveliness. Her poems were published in

many international and national journals and in anthologies.

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63

Fear

Deepa Lakshmi Prakash

When curses moved mountains,

Immortality whispered to Cartilages,

Leisure stood on to gazing Sun.

Passed by centuries of eternity,

Ringing youth stepped in,

Lessons scarcely borrowed.

Dug down the border hill.

Questioning death snowed-in,

Nursing the breath without a loud noise.

Shivering grasses numbness swab.

A pebble over turned rough violets.

Good friends and faces do boulder,

Deep dive trembled into poisoned baits.

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64

Misna Chanu (India)

Misna Chanu is a bilingual poetess, author, translator editor and a member of SAPS.

Writing is not her hobby or passion but a call of her soul and she listened to that call and

answered in the form of poetry and prose. Since childhood, she has been writing poetry

in her mother tongue (Manipuri), later she started writing poetry and short stories in

English. She published two poetry books; and two international anthologies. Her works

have been published in many journals, anthologies and multilingual magazines of Turkey

and China. Her poems have been translated in to many languages.

E-mail Id: misna.thangjam@gmail.com

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65

I Wish

Misna Chanu

I wish if I could paint the happiness

Only as a painting,

Hanging on the walls of memories,

And could erase every detail of pain

From the lives of your, mine and ours!

I wish if there were

No friends neither foe

In this realm of love,

But only lovers of all kinds!

I wish if only people could love

What they already had

And desire less

What they couldn’t have!

I wish if we could only accept

The differences among us

And value our integrity more!

I wish! I wish! I wish …. !

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66

Hasmukh Mehta (India)

Hasmukh Mehta is an ex-serviceman from the Indian Air Force and has served there for

18 years. He joined Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd and retired from there also in 2007.He is

in the literature field since 2009. He is a published poet and has 2 books in his account.

He has composed 27k poems so far. He has earned two gold medals, a doctorate, and a

fellowship in literature.

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67

Love has flavour

Hasmukh Mehta

Love has its own flavour

Dedication and honour

With no doubt forever

And always eagerness as lover

Love has no definition

But a self-ignition

To suffer from loneliness

And prepared to face any challenges

Love is neither a trade

Nor forcefully made

It happens at first sight

And one feels it right

Love is not necessarily a body attraction

But it is symbol of holy relation

Where one gets attached

To the cause and reaches at a point

Love is not our patent mark

But it is present from the start

Even birds and animals show it with kind gesture

Meet each other with affection and make it sure

Love is neither an inertia

Nor simple plea

But a solid assurance

With a given chance

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Life is barren

If love is driven desperately

No respect is given properly

And underrated irrationally

Love has its reflection

In its action

Attachment, affection consolidates

And validates the relation

Love is a garden

Where flowers spread fragrance even

Love thrusts upon human beings

And lay an emphasis to bring peace and happiness in life

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69

Nisha Rana (India)

Nisha Rana is a writer by passion, a coaching practitioner by purpose and a soft skills

trainer by profession. She writes deep diving thoughts, short stories, articles, blogs and

poetry in English and Hindi both. A human being by chance but a humanitarian by

choice, she finds peace in helping people, achieve self-awareness and transformation in

life. To explore her world of words, do visit to her instagram account nisharana2881 or

simply write to her at nisharanna02@gmail.com. A few minutes of attention means a lot

to an artist, after all.

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70

For Peace

Nisha Rana

This world belongs to all,

Together we strive for peace.

Men n women n children,

From Italy or Rome or Greece.

The scent of Love and Truth,

Let us all, together, release.

Differences that bound religions,

No more, shall now increase.

.

Of Life, of growth, of harmony,

We play a common caprice.

In dearth of which, O man!

All Suffering may never surcease.

Care and Kindness to Humans,

Should form a blanket of fleece.

Machinery of common endeavor,

Requires cooperation, as grease.

Lands of brotherhood, camaraderie,

By nations to be taken, on lease.

Abound in violence and hatred,

Else, wars may never decrease.

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A bullet, a bomb, a barrack;

On earth, much cost, per piece.

Success for Humans should speak,

How many lives they bring to ease.

This world belongs to all,

Together we strive for peace.

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72

Afrose Saad (Bangladesh)

Afrose Saad (Real name is S Afrose) born in Bangladesh. She has achieved a degree of M

Pharm and has involved, in the awesome writing world from August-2020. She always

tries to spread the inspirational words by magic of ink, for a peaceful earth, to lead a

lively life. Her oeuvres have been published in some prestigious anthologies and journals.

E-mail:afrosewritings@outlook.com

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73

Perception

Afrose Saad

Ode for love--- everyone feels from deepest soul

Don't mention--- which one is true or which one is false

Love bird--- sings the song of heart

Myriads dreams are rising as butterflies

Perception--- may be right or wrong

Love for all--- that's not enough after all

Imagine--- God's love- this wonderful universe

Who we are--- can make any drastic strike

True beauty reflects from inner part

Make sure--- you're an integral part of that treasure

Show your love without any segregation

Love can show the lovely dictation

Humanity, compassion--- integrity of human souls

Drape that attire for a lovely nation's core

Don't judge anyone by showing temporary status

We are all equal within God's heart

God sets the life's board

For someone--- so easy and for someone--- so tough

To know the real perception of human for His creations

God is the supreme authority--- don't try to mock His decision

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74

Debdoot Mukherjee (India)

Debdoot Mukherjee teaches English Literature in the Department of English at Bhangar

Mahavidyalaya, University of Calcutta. He is also the Visiting Expert in English in the

Department of Law, University of Calcutta and in Interpersonal Skills at Gurukul

Edutech, West Bengal and a Counsellor at NSOU, Kolkata. He wishes to be remembered

as a poet for his poems on life.

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75

A Poet’s Love

Debdoot Mukherjee

A breakdown of arrayed images–

What if no love exists?

Post-human poets, robotic emotions,

A transgressed identity, not so familiar configuration.

Will thoughts be not like jilted lovers?

A feigned smile, some forged drops.

A shout within the calm sea–

Only love matters for a poet.

It matters the most!

A seed.

A plant.

A tree.

Mother’s love.

Beloved’s voice

A smile within.

Love for creation.

The love to de-create

Break to make–

For love creates a poet, perhaps breaks at times,

The legacy of love lingers.

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76

Samiksha Bhatnagar (India)

Samiksha Bhatnagar is an aspiring author from New Delhi, India. She has published her

oeuvres in two anthologies namely, ‘Unfurling My Heart’ as well as, ‘Emotions’. She dreams

to make her mark in the literary world. In her leisure, she engages herself in painting and

reading novels. Passion, persistence and perseverance are her mottos.

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77

The Sea of Agony

Samiksha Bhatnagar

The infinite pain in your chest

It's like you’ve forgotten how to breathe

Sick at heart?

I know how you feel.

Can’t shake off this feeling?

Consumed by somber

Being devoured by numbness

I know how you feel.

Remember, you are not alone

You have someone

To rescue you from this sea of agony

To help you escape.

Give that someone a chance

To be there for you

There is strength in vulnerability

Fortitude in opening your heart.

You can be saved

You can overcome this

Only if you allow yourself

To be cured.

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78

Indrani Chowdhury (India)

Indrani Chowdhury is a modern Indian poet and writer who was born and raised at

Guwahati in Assam. She did her post- graduation in English and had worked as a teacher

for a few years before embracing writing as her chosen vocation. She resides at

Bangalore, India and divides her time between the two loves of her life - her son and

writing. Her poems have been published in various anthologies, magazines, and finally

her own book ‘Raining Drops of Rainbow Verses’ (a Writefluence initiative) has been

published by Notion press in June 2021.

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79

Memories of Happiness

Indrani Chowdhury

Those deeply buried memories of my past,

Tip-toed back to me, as I sat restless at my armchair,

Sleep-deprived, in that cold winter night.

It felt as if those long past events were happening there and then,

In that shivering, cold realm,

And the characters from my past seemed perfectly playing along,

In that little nocturnal game.

To begin with,

I saw that girl from my childhood days,

Who used to pass the lane near my house almost every day,

In her bicycle, sucking her popsicle,

Every time throwing me that inviting smile,

As if beseeching me with it to join her to cover a few flower-filled miles.

Then I saw that boy,

Whose name I could not recall now,

The son of our house help,

Who, wearing his same dirty black striped pant and an oversized shirt,

Used to come to our home with his mother and used to sit in a remote corner,

Not minding the surrounding dirt.

He used to finish his meal with a lightning speed,

And then with immense happiness used to showcase his disco feats,

Leaving everyone in splits,

Embarrassing his mother with his ‘disco-misdeeds.’

Those memories of mine of that boy and that girl,

Those priceless moments of happiness with my childhood pals,

Cured my restlessness that night,

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And soon sleep embraced me in her arms,

Endowing me with its magic potion of happiness, peace, and calm.

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81

Pratibha Chauhan (India)

Pratibha Chauhan who hails from India is a bilingual writer. She writes stories, poems,

articles and literature for children. Her poems have been published in more than

hundreds of National and International Hindi Literary Magazines including Legend

Magazines Hans, Wagarth, Samkaleen Bhartiya Sahitya, Indraprastha Bharti, India Today

and Outlook and articles in NHRC journals. At present, she is serving in Indian Judiciary

as a Judge.

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82

Its Name is Victory

Pratibha Chauhan

Countless seas

Flow inside

A tide flows

In the blink of an eye

Scorched mind, tie it up

Leave all questions

Unanswered

Differences in drift

Would lead you

Towards World-Victory

People give us

How much hope of heart

We never die

While sleep in love

Letters are memories

Although never sent

In changed circumstances

Whatever you think

Whatever you feel

In a life of Love

When you crossed every disaster

And passed through

Hot winds of history

Always remember

Love is Life

Life is Love

Its name is victory

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83

P Muralidharan (India)

P Muralidharan’s collection of short stories 'Draupadi’s only partner’ has been published in

2021 and his novel 'Boomerang' is ready for publication. His poems have been published in

various magazines and anthologies like globalpoemic, otherwise engaged journal,

opa.anthology and formerpeople. Presently, he is in the panel of judges for an ongoing

interactive novel contest. Several of his short stories have been included in anthologies.

'BUBBLES BURST’ is his nonfiction. It has been well received. He is an active member

of many global literary societies. He also reviews poems and books and has translated

two books including Shashi Tharoor’s ‘Why I am Hindu' into Tamil. His blogs on poetry

reviews stand out.

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84

Causation

P Muralidharan

One evening, the policeman saw the bearded man

on the riverbank

Within a week, he found him on the beach

It was a small town

the policeman could identify the beard and the face easily.

The police pulled him away from the public

and interrogated why he was

shamelessly eyeing women with their families

“The waves in the river

and the high and low tides in the sea

vary because their causations are differently intense

the taste of the water too varies”

The police beat him with his staff

and repeatedly asked why he was stalking families

The accused started elaborating on waves, tides and causation

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85

Poonam Sood (India)

Poonam Sood is an Indian author known for her oeuvres in various magazines,

newspapers and anthologies. She is the founder and chairperson of Gulzar Sahitya Samiti

(established in 1998) and an active member of various literary organizations. She has

published a poetry collection in Hindi (Misfit Kavitayein) and a translation of Dr Bhuvan

Mahajan’s book (Mitr Jeevache) into English (Soulmates). Department of Social Welfare

(Madhya Pradesh, India) recently awarded her the first prize for the National poetry

competition held by Arushi (nonprofit organization supporting disabled people). Her

poems and short stories have been regularly broadcasting on All India Radio (Ayodhya).

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86

Life’s Mathematics

Poonam Sood

Initially,

Life was a pie-chart

Sliced into parents, siblings,

Spouse-children love

Remaining fractions

Entangling - struggling with

Career, associations, profession.

Gradually,

Commitments, responsibilities,

Politics and formalities

Took over – fully / partially:-

Overlapping sections –

Turning a pie-chart life

To a Venn diagram

During life’s autumn

After shedding all graphic sections

I quietly cornered myself

Within the few degrees of an acute angle

Giving immense space to relax

In solitude, freedom and passion.

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87

Marsha Warren Mittman (The United States of America)

Marsha Warren Mittman’s humorous memoir, You Know You Moved to South Dakota from

New York City WHEN… (Scurfpea Publishing) received a Western Horizons award. She

has authored three poetry books – Awakening (forthcoming from Scurfpea

Publishing), H 2 O, and Patriarchal Chronicles: Women’s Worldwide Tears. Her poems, essays,

and short stories have appeared in America, Britain, Germany, India, and Australia,

including Six Chicken Soup for the Soul tales. She has received various poetry/prose

distinctions in the US and Ireland, and a Writer’s Residency at Alabama’s Fairhope

Center for Writing Arts.

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88

Possibilities

Marsha Warren Mittman

Dancing in the sunlight of my soul

Untold possibilities are real

Gone the pain, the worry, the want

Gone the fear, the anger, the war

Dancing in the sunlight of my soul

Differing people are relatives

Earth is lovingly nurtured and

Eternal peace reigns supreme

Dancing in the sunlight of my soul

To music so wholly harmonious

It lifts my weary, worn spirit

And fills my aching heart with joy

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89

Sudha Viswanath (India)

Sudha Viswanath is a teacher by profession. Writing is her hobby. Many of her stories

have been published in magazines. A few of her literary works have been found a place in

an anthology. She is an active member of various writing platforms. Many of her soul

stirring articles have been published online on Soul curry page of the TOI.

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90

Accept Me As I Am

Sudha Viswanath

Mom, will you please accept me as I am?

Why with others do you compare my skills?

May it be Tom, Harry, Graham or Sam.

Your act into my heart, agony drills.

Mathematics, I dread and find it tough,

Mom, Will you please accept me as I am?

Those formulas, theories are weird stuff,

Nightmares jolt me during an exam.

Equations into my head go and cram,

They are things that I never understand.

Mom, will you please accept me as I am?

Hug me with the warmth of your loving hand.

Wildlife I wish to capture in a click.

In your anger do not the door you slam,

What makes you turn down my passion as sick?

Mom, will you please accept me as I am?

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91

Koyel Mitra (India)

Koyel Mitra is from Kolkata, India. She teaches mathematics at a Government High

School. She is M.Sc. in Math and has completed the course of B.Ed. too. She has

published her two books of poetry namely ‘Once upon a Rhyme’ and ‘A Poet’s Nook’. She

has been awarded a prize at international poetry competition. Few of her short stories

have been published by www.bookrix.com as e-books. Besides writing, her hobbies are

singing, sketching and reading books.

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92

Macrocosm

Koyel Mitra

Why do we indulge

In vituperative acts?

Is it not a vitriolic outburst?

Is it not an emblazonment of low self-esteem?

Why do we indulge

In vile apartheid?

Is it not a racial discrimination?

Is it not a showcase of misdeeds?

Why do we indulge

In honour killings?

Is it not an inhuman spree?

Is it not a portrayal of truculence?

Why do we indulge

In brutal murders?

Is it not an unpardonable offence?

Is it not a display of vices?

Why do we forget

That we are human beings

With rationality,

Different from savagery?

We often forgo the fact

That each one of us

Should be treated equally

With love, compassion and care.

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93

We are unaware

Of the simple conviction:

We all are a projection of the microcosm

Into the Celestial macrocosm.

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94

Devidatta Mohapatra (India)

Devidatta Mohapatra is M.A. in Sociology in Pondicherry Central University, India. She

has been an ardent lover of novels, literature, poems and articles since her childhood.

Being an active publisher in “Delik-House”, some of her write-ups include; “P.S. I will be

there, One fine day, Agyaant, and Environmental Protection. This all has started during her

childhood and nourished in article when doodling made sense and there prevailed an

undeterred purity of soul and many more. She aspires to become an idol for young

generation; especially girls like her, who dream to reach greatness one day and serve the

society around them. She believes, “It’s just the beginning as we still got miles to go!”

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95

A Little Too More For A Little Too Less

Devidatta Mohapatra

A little too more for a little too less

Dancing all her way up to find her grace

When the world tells her to hustle

She twirls along the breeze kissing her face

Hoping that; one day her dreams would come true

Everything that’s fallen apart would huddle up to become new

“It’s not a mere fantasy, rather destiny in my eyes” she asserts

Opening her up to an entire world of possibilities; her future awaits

Now that she’s found her wings, she wishes to fly high

Not only to touch the mountains but beyond, up above the sky

The chains that tied her once are broken down by hope

All she is now left is a heart filled with love

Being a little too less or little too more

Would no longer define her

Fat, ugly, thin, skinny, dark would never shadow her

“Soul is all that matters” is what now she whispers to herself

“Life is meant for you to cherish” is the foundation she lays

“if no one; yet, I will be there

Holding you up tight in my arms till death make us apart”

Tells her inner voice;

As she lets go of false beliefs

that had held her through the years passing by

Indeed, she is little too more for a little too less

In the society that is small enough to hold her grace

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Not only does it empower her; rather she shines through it

With eyes bright enough to conquer the entire galaxy!

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Kakoli Ghosh (India)

Kakoli Ghosh hails from the industrial town of Durgapur, West Bengal, India. A post-

graduate in English literature, she herself has published her book of poetry titled

‘Unfinished’ from Durban, South Africa. One of her poems ‘Grains of Salt’ has been

published in a South African anthology ‘Poems for Haiti’ Her oeuvres have been

published in various anthologies viz., Paradise on Earth, Vol 1, Ferring Love, Glomag

etc. Many of her Bengali poems have been published online and few printed in local

magazines. She is also a painter and a jewellery designer and has keen interest in music

and art in general.

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98

Secrets

Kakoli Ghosh

I'll tell you some secrets

that your soul perhaps knows,

a river of forgetfulness flows

through the delta of loose silty vows

and falls into the ocean of regrets.

You seek my porous soul in a trance

as bleeding secrets seep through

a cracked unguarded entrance;

secured in your blind vision, I brew

as a wonderful lie, defying all prudence.

The foaming sea waves seek

the flight of the soaring sea gulls;

freedom of your soul

dissolves into eternity, -bleak,

searching for its identity, whole.

I will tell you some secrets

that are carried to the grave,

throughout your entire strife

your beloved death do engrave

the golden words of life.

As the night kindles its darkness,

lighting up the stars,

faint hints of light, crave

to sculpt out of mellow nothingness,

a forgotten treasure cave.

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Truth chisels out your dignity

from the sandstones of mere vanity;

when the shell of your enclosed pain

cracks under your crushing grief,

miracles hatch and drop from heaven.

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100

Tapas Dey (India)

Tapas Dey hails from Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India. His passion is reading and

writing poetry. His poems have been published in many international anthologies and

magazines. His first book of poems ‘A green canvas’ shows his interest in poetry writing.

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101

A Profile at Night

Tapas Dey

The full moon plays a borderless role

On the stage of floral sky.

A liquid laughter in the river is heard,

The soft night is over the moon.

Nowhere is black as Styx

For an old fossil,

This is a stroke of life to me.

I’m now in clover,

Billing and cooing under the stars,

I’m beside with rejoice.

A familiar voice,

A mellifluous song echoes in the air,

All night long in a merry pin,

I’m nestled in great gusto,

The night of solitude is wide of the age.

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102

Arundhati Mukherjee (India)

Arundhati Mukherjee is an engineer by profession and published author, blogger, poet

and singer by passion. She is a Deputy Chief Engineer in a Thermal Power plant. She

loves writing on science and spirituality. She writes in Speaking Tree, and an author in e

magazines like Pragyata, Thrive Global and Sivana East. She is a self- published author

with Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon too. Her e books are available in Amazon and

her recent poetry book, e book and paperback is available in various platforms. . She has

coauthored some nationaland International anthologies. Her poems are published in

various international e zines.

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103

Singularity

Arundhati Mukherjee

One gloomy cloudy dawn,

Nature’s tapestry loomed in horizon,

all was silent, everything still.

In that stillness and silence,

a birdie chirped, others followed,

the silence broke, life happened,

breaking the stillness, creatures awakened.

I, on my lone walking spree,

empty of thought, in my glee,

was drinking the sweetness,

of nature’s aliveness,

from the depth of silence.

From stillness life happened,

from silence sound reverberated.

A piece of dark cloud came floating,

overhead, shrouding the vision of welkin.

A gaggle of geese lost its way,

perhaps to the pond they might stray away.

A flock of birds flew in to the cloud,

lost in the darkness, they were in doubt,

I looked on dissolving in the drizzle, my heart mingled.

My horizon expanded, body knew no form,

I, from form to formless,

became the clouds floating in the sky,

drizzled to the earth drenching the earth,

grasses green, trees bathed , I was all in them.

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I was the birdie fluttering and chirping,

soaked in rain, that misty morning.

I expanded, and expanded,

till I became the mountain still,

the gurgling river flowing, meandering,

gushed into the ocean, I was still,

deluged and submerged in the waves .

I, the sky, the earth, the wind, the ocean,

played and dissolved, in ecstatic emotion.

Suddenly in that oneness of life,

I contracted, a small drop in the depth of ocean,

infinite love, infinite grace descended,

time and space collapsed in the vastness,

I, small molecule, an atom, in stillness,

in the depth of silence stood emotionless,

I awashed in golden light and purity, a singularity.

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105

Kirti (India)

Kirti is an IT professional turned teacher. She started to compose poetry during the

lockdown of last year. Apart from being a voracious reader, she enjoys quizzing, music,

sports, and drawing. She loves reading and writing across many Indian languages. She is a

good orator and loves to recite poems. She is an active member in several online poetry

groups and has contributed to some anthologies.

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106

Ocean

Kirti

Hey Ocean! Thou art composed, calm and vast,

Deep in you lay stories in abundance,

That talk about life in present and past,

Filled with all virtues and ample guidance.

Your cerulean hue! One cannot miss,

Hey Ocean! Thou art composed, calm and vast,

Your soothing waters the sun seems to kiss,

A lovely view, that would forever last.

The rambling and gurgling, sway as a blast,

Your huge and curvy waves that just denote,

Hey Ocean! Thou art composed, calm and vast,

All the places you sail through, dance and float.

The wonderful magical knit you weave,

Ain't it, God's blessing showered, all so fast?

As, in nurturing life you do believe,

Hey Ocean! Thou art composed, calm and vast.

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107

INNSÆIANS’ VOICE

Sweta Kumari (India)

Sweta Kumari is a gold medalist in M.A. English. She is a bi-lingual poet, short story

writer, avid-reader, an academician, editor and an anthology compiler. She is currently

pursuing her research entitled as ‘‘Dialectics of Feminism in Select Hindi Films and Film

Adaptations of Indian English Novels (1960-2010)’’. Her areas of interest are Contemporary

issues like Women Empowerment, Patriarchy, Post-Colonial Studies, Feminism and Film

Studies. Besides, she has even presented several scholarly papers in national and

international conferences and participated actively in workshops.

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Love, Too Young, Hopes Yet To Grow

Sweta Kumari

Editorial Board Member, INNSÆI

International Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity

The predestined soul dived deeper to hold,

As for a shooting star.

In endless night, blossomed our peerless story,

Our bond, surpassing milestones, captured in time.

Came unlocking the universe as Sunshine,

Dwelled the realm of love at sublime.

He seized the days, being the light of life,

And demystified my sphere with his firefly-mind.

Words often fail unfolding my heart,

Though to succeed musing silences,

In crystal-coated words.

Unlocked undying emotions that sealed within,

And falling from my pen, the buoyant streams.

Lived moments of silences, beaming

And rhyming timeless in verses together young,

As love from our hearts newly sprung.

Strengthening the bond in shades of hope,

A new dawn, embracing each other's souls.

Sometimes hearing silences tirelessly for hours,

Like white petals of daisies, our souls pair,

More of our presence than the words dwell,

Multiplying the beauty of our love is more of a fairytale.

Treasuring bliss in bounty, tittle by little,

Musing my emotions with the same beats.

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Though the two divergent worlds,

We accomplished one,

The queen of her world in her king's heart,

The story of our tiny little world,

Makes us one universe.

Still amazes reminiscing how we linked up,

Cherishing moments of talks in an uncertain hours,

Likely, adore our world with the rainbow of thoughts.

No matter what, just carrying a sea of smiles,

And standing by each other, our happiness lies.

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Orbindu Ganga (India)

Orbindu Ganga is the Co-Founder and Editorial Director of INNSÆI: International

Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity. He is a post-graduate in science, the first

recipient of Dr Mitra Augustine gold medal for academic excellence. He worked in

financial, banking, and publishing domains. He proved his finesse as a Soft Skills Trainer

and Client Relationship Manager. He is a multilingual poet, author, critic, content writer,

sketch artist, researcher, and spiritual healer. His poems are published in many

international publications and anthologies. He has published articles, short stories,

research papers on poetry, and science articles.

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THOUGHTS: Wandering Wonderers

Orbindu Ganga

Co-Founder and Editorial Director, INNSÆI

International Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity

Thoughts never had

An answer, being aloof,

Wandering in the space with

None to whisper, talking to self.

Had they not been seen?

Had they not been observed?

Being invisible to our eyes.

Many times following

The traces left with no inklings,

The craftsmanship to be in

Solitude, being on a bandwagon

Leave many inquisitive to know

Their inception, only to be

Left alone in wondering

About the wanderers, evading

From the known, known to the unknown.

Being a skilled craftsman

Thoughts remained eclectic,

Never to borrow

Never to steal,

Being in a flow

Never to be retrieved,

Consumed in hara-kiri

For the life, they live.

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Waves rush to gush

The thoughts, making

Many to be consumed,

Staying in memories

To cherish for life,

Thoughts never gave

The memories a thought,

Being the student

To remain as the master

Rest of their life,

Living a life less defined

More occupied in self,

Wandering with known

Remaining unknown for life.

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QUOTES WITH THE IMAGES

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Pooja Mandla (India)

Pooja is based at Dehradun, India. She is an educator by profession, but a word weaver

by passion. She has a BSc in Medical, an M.Phil. in English literature and, a B.Ed. degree

from Punjab (Chandigarh) University.

She loves to read, write, draw and travel. She finds inspiration from nature and the

surrounding people. She is passionate about writing poems and has contributed to several

online platforms. Her poems have been published in various anthologies and

International magazines. In leisure, she loves having fun with her twin toddlers.

E-mail Id: poojamandla@yahoo.com

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Sree Varshni S (India)

Sree Varshni hailing from Tamil Nadu is a student of MCC College, Tambaram, Chennai.

She has completed her degree in Bsc. Statistics in 2021. She is a highly enthusiastic and

ambitious person with a profound passion for writing. Drawing, quotes and blog writings

are her musings besides gardening. Multicuisine cooking is also in her line of conquests.

This is her first entry into journals.

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Afrose Saad (Bangladesh)

Afrose Saad (Real name is S Afrose) born in Bangladesh. She has achieved a degree of M

Pharm and has involved, in the awesome writing world from August-2020, casually. She

always tries to spread the inspirational words by magic of ink, for a peaceful earth, to lead

a lively life. Her oeuvres have been published in some prestigious anthologies and

journals.

E-mail: afrosewritings@outlook.com

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Koyel Mitra (India)

Koyel Mitra is from Kolkata, India. She teaches mathematics at a Government High

School. She is M.Sc. in Math and has completed the course of B.Ed. too. She has

published her two books of poetry namely ‘Once upon a Rhyme’ and ‘A Poet’s Nook’. She

has been awarded a prize at international poetry competition. Few of her short stories

have been published by www.bookrix.com as e-books. Besides writing, her hobbies are

singing, sketching and reading books.

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Splash the canvas of your Life

With colours;

Let go of sorrow and pain.

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INNSÆIAN’S VOICE

Supriya Mali (India)

Supriya Mali is from India Maharashtra. She has completed her M.A in English from

Shivaji University Kolhapur. Currently she is learning French language. She loves reading,

sketching, photography and acting. She has won some awards in drama competition. She

finds her joy in literature and making people happy. This is her first entry into Journals.

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Supriya Mali

Executive Compiler, INNSÆI

International Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity

Don’t stop until you’re proud

And when you’re proud

Keep going.

-Supriya Mali

‘Wait’ can’t be measured

by the one who is waiting.

-Supriya Mali

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PUBLISHED AND UPCOMING BOOKS

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P Muralidharan (India)

P Muralidharan (translator), who writes with the pseudonym Sathyanandhan, lives in

Chennai, India, and continues his creative quest as a poet, a critic and a novelist in the

Tamil literary arts. His ability to write creatively in all genres like short story, poems,

columns, novel and criticism on a variety of subjects has made him stand out in the

Modern Tamil literature for more than a decade. His works have been published in

literary magazines like Kanaiyazhi. Thinnai.com has been a consistent platform for his

works. Besides a collection of poetry Veliye veedu, his novels Purshartham and Vigraham

have been published in print. Two of his novels Bodhi Maram and Mulveli were

published as a series during 2012 and 2013 in Thinnai. His works on Ramayana and Zen,

published in Thinnai during 2011 have gained him a wider readership recently. He writes

weekly columns in pathivukal.com. All of his works are republished in his blog at

https://sathyanandhan.com.

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Misna Chanu (India)

Bilingual Poetess, author, translator and editor, a member of SAPS, a post graduate in

Botany, born in Assam, India. Writing is not her hobby or passion but a call of her soul.

And when she listened to that call, answered in the form of poetry and prose. Since

childhood, she has been writing poetry in her mother tongue (Manipuri), later she started

writing poetry and short stories in English. She published two poetry books; “A Little

Piece Of Melancholic Sky” and “Many Shades Of Love”, and Two International Anthologies

“Under The Azure Sky and “May Love Heal the Love”. Her works have been published in

many journals, anthologies and multilingual magazines of Turkey and China. Her poems

have been translated in to languages – Hindi, Greek, Serbian, Italian, Turkish, German, Polish,

Filipino, Spanish and Chinese.

She can be reached at misna.thangjam@gmail.com

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Name of the Book - “Under The Azure Sky"

Type - Poetry book

Language - Bilingual (English and Manipuri)

Editor's Name - Misna Chanu

Date of Publication - 24 /2/2021

Publication House - Authorspress Publishing House, New Delhi

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Name of the Book - “Beyond The Language"

Type - Poetry book

Language – Multilingual (Manipuri, Greek, Italian, Polish, German,

Spanish and Fillipino with English translation of all)

Editors' Name - Misna Chanu (Editor in Chief), Xanthi Hondrou-

Hill, Anna Maria Dall’Olio, Ewelina Duchnik, Johanna

Devadayavu, Luz María López (Puerto Rico) and Helen

Sarita

About The Book:

Each Language has its own beauty and grace. This International Multilingual Anthology

of Poetry “Beyond The Language” as its name, reflects the bond between united

human family in spite of our differences. In this book, one can read poems from seven

languages of the World; Manipuri (one of the languages of India), Spanish,

Italian, Greek, German, Polish, and Filipino with English translation of all. This is a

beautiful garden of poetry where flowers of seven varieties bloom together with equal

grace and integrity!

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Koyel Mitra (India)

Koyel Mitra is from Kolkata, India. She teaches Mathematics at a Government High

School with a M.Sc. in Math and a B.Ed. She is a published author of two poetry books

namely ‘Once upon a Rhyme’ and ‘A Poet’s Nook’. She has been awarded prize at

international poetry competition. Few of her short stories have been published by

www.bookrix.com as e-books. Her hobbies include singing, sketching, reading books

other than writing.

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My Book

Title: A Poet's Nook

Name of the Author: Koyel Mitra

Date of publication: 16.10.2020

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The Sea, Within INNSÆI

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FOUNDERS AND LITERARY EDITORIAL DIRECTORS

Mr Orbindu Ganga (India)

Tejaswini Patil, Ph.D. (India)

LITERARY ADVISORY BOARD

Shri Jayanta Mahapatra, Fellow, Sahitya Akademi (India)

Shri Basudeb Chakraborti, Ph.D. (India)

Hon. hülya n. yılmaz, Ph.D. (USA)

Shri Kallol Choudhury (India)

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

Ms Mousumi Kalita Sachdeva (India)

LITERARY EDITORIAL MEMBERS

Jessieca Leo, Ph.D. (Germany)

Ligia Tomoiaga, Ph.D. (Romania)

Ms Sanjeev Kumari Paul (India)

Dr Sushmindarjeet Kaur (India)

Dr Shaleen Kumar Singh (India)

Dr Savita Patil (India)

Mr Ayush Sinha (India)

Ms Rini Valentina (Indonesia)

Ms Meera V Barath (India)

Ms Emmanuel Mettledah John (India)

Ms Renette Dsouza (India)

Ms Sohela Chhotaray (India)

Ms Shristy Sinha (India)

Ms Iuliana Monica Todorean (Romania)

Ms Sweta Kumari (India)

Prof S. I. Rosy Lidia (India)

LITERARY PROOFREAD TEAM

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Dr Indrayani R Kuduchkar (India)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Ms Jayashri Mahesh Patil (India)

STRATEGY CONSULTANT MANAGER

Mr Abhishek Mohapatra (India)

STRATEGY CONSULTANT MANAGER AND CREATIVE CONTENT

MANAGER

Ms Aarya Desai (India)

CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER

Mr Om Nair (India)

TECHNICAL CONTENT MANAGER

Mr Mayur Mali (India)

EXECUTIVE COMPILER

Ms Supriya Mali (India)