Download - EI - Ekphrasis India
VOLUME 1
MARCH NUMBER 1
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
2
0
1
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Welcome to the first issue of Ekphrasis India’s online Magazine, EI
Prologue 1
The Writers 2-6
Anukriti Sharma
Samik Bhattacharya
Mihir Vatsa
Rahul Sharma
Virtuoso 7-19
Abanindranath Tagore
His Story
Windows to the past: Paintings by
Tagore
The Spell of Time: A Poem on Tagore’s
Timeless Painting
Poetry Writing Contest 20-32
The Winners
The Prizes
CONTENTS
Cover Painting – © Prakash Nayak
Magazine Background –
©Animesh Nandi – his painting has
been edited to Black and White
The Writers –
Mihir Vatsa
Rahul Sharma
Samik Bhattacharya
Anukriti Sharma
EI Magazine (Concept and Design),
Montage Photographs – Anukriti
Sharma
Contest Painting – Samik
Bhattacharya
Cover(Back) Poem – Susma Sharma
Gurumayum
Published by –
Ekphrasis India
CONTENTS
Featured Artists
Abanindranath Tagore
Om Swami
Sunil Tambe
Ajay De
Jiaur Rahman
Anjolie Ela Menon
Ranabir Saha
Pawan Sharma
Gouri Vemula
Satish Multhalli
Reena Prasad
Aurulent Tones
Rajarajan
The Man Behind the Veil
Felino A. Soriano
Assemblage of approbated rhythms
Abhishek Rath
A Panegyric on the Painting
Featured Artist 33-40
Om Swami
His Story
Vibrant Moods
Featured Poets 41-79
Abhishek, ‘Sahir’
Us Sham Hua Yuun Mehfil Mein…
Annie Besant
The House that Love Built
Arvind Kumar Sharma
Raga of Life
CONTENTS
Cijo Abraham Mani
The durbar of Music
Dr. A.V. Koshy
Tansen
Gopakumar. R
I sing for you
Jaya Swarup
Have nots
Madhumita Ghosh
Play on…
Nishi Jain
The Evening Song
Pooja Sharma Rao
Patriarchy
Suraj Samtani
Inspired to perform
Susma Sharma Gurumayum
The Gathering (Haiku Chain)
Zeenath Ibrahim
Absences
The Painted World 80-140
Sunil Tambe
His Artwork
Eye-imprints – Mihir Vatsa
Featured Poets
Abhishek Rath
Abhishek, Sahir
Annie Besant
Arvind Kumar Sharma
Cijo Abraham Mani
Dr. A.V. Koshy
Felino A. Soriano
Gopakumar. R
Jaya Swarup
Madhumita Ghosh
Nishi Jain
Pooja Sharma Rao
Rajarajan
Reena Prasad
Rukhaya MK
Suraj Samtani
Susma Sharma Gurumayum
Zeenath Ibrahim
CONTENTS
Poetry by Ekphrasis India:
The Spell of Time
Eye–Imprints
Through your Eyes
Crimson Blood
The Silence of his Life
Gautam Buddha Road
Scars
Ev-e-il
Re-death
Ajay De
His Artwork
Through your Eyes – Samik
Bhattacharya
Jiaur Rahman
His Artwork
Crimson Blood – Anukriti Sharma
Anjolie Ela Menon
Her Artwork
The Silence of His Life – Rahul Sharma
Ranabir Saha
His Artwork
Gautam Buddha Road – Mihir Vatsa
Pawan Sharma
His Artwork
Scars – Samik Bhattacharya
Gouri Vemula
Her Artwork
Ev-e-il – Anukriti Sharma
Satish Multhalli
His Artwork
Re-death – Rahul Sharma
Montage 141-150
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai
PROLOGUE
India has a culturally rich heritage where art has flourished since
time immemorial. Be it the rock paintings of Bhimbteka or the
carved pillars of Ajanta, millions of creative geniuses have painted
India’s canvas in a mosaic of colours. But, when we talk about art,
what comes to our mind? How many of us really know about Indian
craftsmanship? Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo and
many other painters are known by almost everyone; but do we really
know our country’s artists?
We at Ekphrasis India aim to develop awareness among the youth
about Indian art and native art forms. It is a platform to explore
the acumen in each one of us… to understand and appreciate the
beauty of art. Through poetry we aim to communicate with our
readers. To explore famous as well as less known artists in India, is
what we aspire to do. We hope to paint art in the colours of poetic
expression and give voice to the work of Indian talent.
Art is not just an expression, it is a legacy.
‘EI’ is Ekphrasis India’s first step towards preserving this legacy. We
aim to create a sanctuary of poetry and art for the generations to
come. Join us to experience the oeuvre of India, dipped in the shades
of poetic expression.
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THE WRITERS
THE DREAMER: ANUKRITI SHARMA
Anukriti Sharma is a Mumbai based writer. She is the Founder and
Owner of Ekphrasis India. She completed her post-graduation in
English Literature from Miranda House, Delhi University. A
completely visual person who loves to dream; her passions include
blogging, reading, music, social service and painting. She is the
Founder and Administrator of "My Memoirs of Mesmerizing
Memories"; an award winning blog which has won many accolades
including recognition and prizes from Yahoo! India, Dove, HP, Surf
Excel, HUL, Indiblogger, BlogAdda, BlogJunta and Blogger's
Symposium. Eminent personalities like Javed Akhtar, Ayaz Memon
and Ashok Chakradhar have acknowledged her with the best blog
award for her poem on Mumbai Terror Attack. Her work has also
been published in various college journals and online magazines
like The NRI, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Impulse.
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THE ARTIST: SAMIK BHATTACHARYA
Samik Bhattacharya is an Engineering student from Bilaspur,
Chhattisgarh. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Designer of
Ekphrasis India. This multi-talented twenty year old is a story-
writer, poet, photographer, painter, guitarist and vocalist. His band
Backyard Bandits is creating waves in Indian music industry. He is
the lead guitarist and vocalist of his band. A blogger who worships
music and loves expressing himself through his artwork; he is also
our In-House Artist. His paintings are meaningful and permeated
with the essence of life. Reality and dreams form the theme of his
works and he aims towards attaining a balance between the
various binaries that surround us. Profoundly inspired by
motivational writers, his work is exceptionally unique and creative
abilities complement his inner personality. He writes his dreams
through his personal blog, "Dreams on Paper Leaves"
At present, he lives in Kolkata.
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THE POET: MIHIR VATSA
Mihir Vatsa grew up in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, and currently lives
in New Delhi where he is pursuing his graduation in English
Literature from Delhi University. He is the Co-Founder and
Administrator of Ekphrasis India. A self proclaimed Tourism Activist
in the Hazaribagh region, he is the Founder and Administrator of
'Tales of Hazaribagh'- an online web portal which works for a
healthy tourism in Hazaribagh.
Mihir's poems and writings have been published in various
magazines and journals including Muse India, The Enchanting
Verses Literary Review, Youth ki Awaaz and The River Journal. He is
also the Associate Editor of Vayavya, an online magazine.
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THE PHILOSOPHER: RAHUL SHARMA
Rahul Sharma is the Co-Founder and the Tech Guru of Ekphrasis
India. He is currently a student of English Literature at Delhi
University and describes himself in the words - Philosopher, lover,
physicist, dreamer, anarchist, stranger, loner, dead. He is the
Founder and CEO of Impulse Magazine - A leading Online Literary
Magazine of India. Impulse is the popular "general interest"
magazine which aims at developing healthy reading taste as well
as writing skill among the masses. Impulse started as an ambitious
endeavor in October 2010 and has now spread its branches across
the Web World. It runs various contests like IWBP and IWBSSW,
which encourage writers to express themselves.
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VIRTUOSO: ABANINDRANATH TAGORE
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HIS STORY
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Abanindranath Tagore was the principal artist and creator of Indian Society
of Oriental Art and the first major exponent of swadeshi values in Indian
art. He was also a noted writer, particularly for children. Popularly known
as 'Aban Thakur', his books Rajkahini, Budo Angla, Nalak, and Ksheerer
Putul are landmarks in Bangla children's literature.
Tagore sought to modernize Moghul and Rajput styles in order to counter
the influence of Western models of art, as taught in Art Schools under
the British Raj. Such was the success of Tagore's work that it was eventually
accepted and promoted as a national Indian style within British art
institutions under the epithet of Indian Society of Oriental Art.
Some of the paintings by Abanindranath Tagore are:
Avisarika (1892)
Banished Yaksha (1904)
Buddha and Sujata (1901)
Chaitanya with his followers on the sea beach of Puri (1915)
Illustrations of Omar Khayyam (1909)
Kacha and Devajani (1908)
Moonrise at Mussouri Hills (1916)
Passing of Shah Jahan (1900)
Pushpa-Radha (1912)
Radhika gazing at the portrait of Sri Krishna (1913)
Shah Jahan Dreaming of Taj (1909)
Summer, from Ritu Sanghar of Kalidasa (1905)
Tales of Arabian Nights (1928)
The Last Journey (1914)
Veena Player (1911)
Source - Wikipedia
WINDOWS TO THE PAST: PAINTINGS BY TAGORE
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THE SPELL OF TIME: A POEM ON TAGORE’s TIMELESS PAINTING
Days pass as swiftly
As the nights I know
I sit right here for a million years…
I wonder where time has taken you
Along the valleys of surprises.
I wonder if a little spark
Of memory still ignites.
Time keeps slowing down,
As I try to fight myself
No letter from you arrives
No wind carries your smile.
I still sit here with
loneliness as my company…
Eager to hear a distant voice
of someone carrying your news for me.
I let the birds fly…
When they come to me to play
I let the blue flower cry…
In case you come and I am delayed.
But a million years have passed
And a million more are going by
I have sat here for a million years
Waiting for you to teach me to fly...
©Samik Bhattacharya 2012 19
POETRY WRITING CONTEST: 1
©Samik Bhattacharya
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18 FEATURED POETS
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THE WINNERS
Reena Prasad
Sharjah, UAE
"Aurulent Tones"
Rajarajan
Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
"The Man Behind the Veil"
Felino A. Soriano
California, USA
"Assemblage of approbated rhythms"
Abhishek Rath
Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India
"A Panegyric on the Painting"
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THE PRIZES
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2
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4
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Book worth 300 INR
Books worth 500 INR
Poetry to be published in online magazine
VA Y AV Y A
Poetry to be published in online magazine
I M P U L S E
REENA PRASAD
Reena Prasad is an Indian settled in Sharjah, UAE. She has a poetry blog -
'Butterflies of Time" and writes under the same pen name. She
loves reading, writing, listening to music and photography. She has several
poems published in anthology collections. Her poems have also been
included in online journals and publications like Carty’s Poetry journal ,
Indian Ruminations - Journal of Indian English Writers. Her work has also
been published in online magazines like Youth Ki Awaaz.
Date of Birth – August 14
Website/Blog – http://harivarasanam.wordpress.com
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Composed notes
of rigorous skills
met the vibrant dholak beats
Night Ganga lushly flowed
amidst the exotic Oudh smoke
saturated with musk
dispersed with
soft swishes of fanning silk.
Pausing, listening,
flowing with benevolent grace,
Night turned into
a languid panicle of wine and song.
He sang on but silence reigned within
alone with his resplendent throes
A vagabond soul drenched
in an extravaganza of musical mayhem.
Moist eyes transmuted tears
into seven, divine string throbs
Dholak beats echoing the reverberant
overtones of an inner Sarod.
A vibrant Jugalbandi
of trembling tones
inside a resonant soul.
©Reena Prasad 2012
AURULENT TONES
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RAJARAJAN
Rajarajan is a blogger and critic from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. His blog,
“Alchemy” is an attempt to make a person more socio-constructive and open
minded. The feel of a heart, the truth behind, the need for a change, the fact
behind, the true love and just everything your hearts desire are spoken in
his blog.
Name – Rajarajan (Rajthecritic)
Website/Blog – http://thealchemycritics.blogspot.in
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THE MAN BEHIND THE VEIL
The sycophant played an occasion,
in his flattery tunes.
And Obtruded by his tunes,
The king lay there in obsession.
Like the mysterious leviathan,
‘The king’ was a hero too with miracles.
Illustrious - illusions were made a
representation.
And it did miracles for the oracles.
Blend in tunes were they;
In trance were their souls.
Opaque were his play
Opaque to truth and souls.
Those were the king and his men
All willing to say a ‘Wah’,
when the king said one. And none
Bothered or worried but never failed
‘Wah’.
Legacy is not always legible;
But still we accept and pray.
For life is better than a funeral;
graceful
Weren’t the days but we shall still live
and not be a prey.
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“‘Kharahapriya’ – it took me to
heaven”
The king said.
“’Harikhamboji ‘– it is my lord of
heaven”
His sycophant said.
Incorrect was the king and his
flatterer;
He shifted to ‘khamboji’ long before.
Incorrect was the king and his
flatterer.
And neither did they worry about the
truth so condor.
Who shall hear a peasant’s say?
Be it truth or fact,
Who shall hear an untouchable’s say?
For all they care is to protract.
Kingdoms may come and kings may
come;
But we shall only stand behind the
veil.
And behind that veil for ages to come.
With time left to heal and pale.
©Rajarajan 2012
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FELINO A. SORIANO
Felino A. Soriano is a case manager and advocate for adults with
developmental and physical disabilities. Recent poetry collections
include Intentions of Aligned Demarcations (Desperanto, 2011), Pathos
etched, recalled: (white sky books, 2011), and Divaricated, Spatial
Aggregates (limit cycle press, 2011). He edits and publishes the online
journal, Counterexample Poetics. For information regarding his published
works, editorships, and interviews, do visit his website.
Website/Blog – http://www.felinoasoriano.info
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Of the crowd
condensed
controlled (chaotic disposition of time the latent mobility escapes,
enthralled) who
envisions crown atop angled vision, the musical
wholeness of silent space, spatial momentum of song and
critical thought encapsulating moments?
Of the
singing
who smiles against similes of this decorative
articulation? Outside, wind disbands as
ribbons embellish sky’s indifferent mathematics—
alive or relegated outcast?
Of the listeners engaging radial styles
which of the italicized emotions become
facilitating method of interpreting rhythm’s
elongated functions?
.
©Felino A. Soriano 2012
ASSEMBLAGE OF APPROBATED RHYTHMS
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ABHISHEK RATH
Abhishek Rath is a young poet from Orissa. His poetry centres around
highly thought-provoking themes, packed with symbolic meanings, written
in lucid English language.
One of his poems “At the dead man’s obsequies” has been published in the I
English International journal.
Another poem “A serenade tune for my beloved”, has been published in
Melonade 2012. “The final minute of my survival” has been published in
Puppets on a string.
Also "The poet inside me" has been selected for the anthology "Indus
valley“. He has written over 200 poems till date.
Date of Birth – June 01
Website/Blog – http://heartcraving.wordpress.com
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A PANEGYRIC ON THE PAINTING
The hypnotic harmonium tune,
Played on by the sanctified fingers,
Of the majestic hand of the minstrel,
Soothed the opulent man’s vexed soul.
The sycophants influenced by his wealth,
Continued to praise him incessantly,
Comparing him with the magnificent tune,
That came from the harmonium and the lute.
The guards and the servants,
Were lost in the vibes of music,
The sangria was no more effective,
And the complete room resembled a
vaudeville,
But the poor scraggy servant,
Holding the wine container and the carafe,
Was captivated by the bond of slavery,
Even the seraphic music could not make him
smile .
Esoteric ink in the form of an eulogy,
Vividly epitomizes on this etiolate paper,
The sprouting paint from the painter’s brush,
That has painted such an exquisite picture….
©Abhishek Rath 2012
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FEATURED ARTIST: OM SWAMI
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HIS STORY
Om Swami(b. 1974) is a self-taught neo-classical artist who has created a
niche for himself in this highly competitive Indian Art World. His paintings
present rich imagery, well conceived themes and diligently executed vibrant
colours. Figurative, yet contemporary; sensitive yet classical, Swami has
cultivated a style of his own using minimal details and richness of colours.
Many of his works centre around the theme of “Love”. Cupid’s arrow,
butterflies, birds, flowers and fishes adorn the togetherness of the men and
women depicted in his paintings. He says, “A man and a woman are
incomplete in themselves. They are the fragments of a single whole and they
become close and healthy only in close togetherness – in union with each
other. The two are complete only when this union happens unconditionally.
This union may be earthy, physical or spiritual.” Having unique warmth
bereft of any superfluous details, the stylized figures have a story of their
own, transporting the viewer into an exotic world of passion and beauty.
Om Swami has a number of successful exhibitions to his credit – in India
and abroad.
‘Moods’ represents the moments of bliss, a state of inner consciousness. The
protagonists are celestial yet earthy, with passion and love overflowing
through the musical flute that binds them. Flute is the traditional symbol
of eternal love and Swami uses this symbol very artfully in his paintings. At
present, he lives and works in Mumbai.
Source – Om Swami (Edited by Anukriti Sharma)
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VIBRANT “MOODS”
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FEATURED POETS
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ABHISHEK, ‘SAHIR’
An engineer by training, a civil servant by duty; a dreamer by habit and a
recluse and a scribbler of thoughts by choice. Shaped mostly in Lucknow
and Delhi, Abhishek’s introduction to Urdu poetry happened quite early in
his life. Ever since then, he never got over it- as it sure became a love affair,
in this generation of flings and ‘relationships’. Also, after having listened to
and read the masters of yore, he says that he cannot have the temerity of
calling himself a poet of any worth. What he writes is an effort to allow his
soul to breathe and speak in the only way it can-through poetry. But what
he does promise his readers is an honest reflection of churnings that stirs
his spirit and in turn echoes in his verses.
Name - ‘Sahir’, Abhishek
Date of Birth - August 11
Location - Lucknow/New Delhi/ Mussoorie
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US SHAM HUA YUUN MEHFIL MEIN… [IT SO HAPPENED THAT EVENING]
[1]
Us shaam jo mahfil aan saji
gori tere chaubaron mein
Vo soz-e-nihaan le aa baithe
karne izhaar ishaaron mein
Vo jogi, bhes badal lete
kuch geet manohar kah lete
Tujh par ik na aanch aati, aur
Vo roop ki bhiksha le lete .
Us Shaam=that evening, Mahfil=soiree, aan saji= got organised, gori-fair
damsel,tere-yours, tere chaubare mein- in the inner courtyard of your house, soz-e-
nihaan= the unseen pain/heat, izhaar- express ishaaron mein- in hidden signs,
Vo=those Jogi-mendicants, bhes badal lete-change their looks , geet= a form of
poetry set to tune and generally sung, manohar-charming , aanch na aati- no
blemishes cast, aur-and, roop= beauty, bhiksha= alms [this is a culturally layered
meaning which refers to an admirer asking for alms by being allowed to steal a
glance of the beloved]
[2]
Par tum naa aayeen mehfil mein
Haan..mayuus hue the deewane !
Par shikwa unka taur nahin
Ab dil mein kya tha, kya jane ?
[Tum- you, naa ayeen- did not come, mehfil mein- to the soiree, Haan-Indeed, yes;
Mayuus-disappointed, deewane= mad lovers, Par= But, shikwa= complaint, unka
taur nahin= is not their way]
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[3]
Haan !
Kuch sher kahe unne the vahan
Sun lo to kaleja thaam hi lo !!
Saari mehfil ranjoor hui...
Tum jiska-jiska naam bhi lo
Saqi rahe phirte jaam liye
Par kaun piye tab pyalon se
Jab aag jigar ki bhadki ho
Saz-o-soz ke naalon se !
[ Haan= Oh, yes !, Kuch – A few,Sher- poetic couplets, Kahe- recited, Unne= they
Sun lo= Were to listen Kalega= Literally means liver, often associated with passion
in urdu poetry, thaam- hold tight; Ranjoor- Sad, Jiska= whomsoever, Saqi- Wine
servers, jaam= glasses of wine, bhadki ho= aflame, soz=flame/pain, saaz= music
instruments, naalon= sad songs/wails ]
[4]
Jo poocha naam pata unka
Vo muska ke sab taal gaye
Bole-"hum to banjare hain
Aaye aur maal utar gaye !
Kehna usse jo aayi nahin-
Jeevan hai zara, aur maal bahut
le-de sauda nipta dalo
Bachte hain nahin ab saal bahut !
[ Muska ke= with a smile, Bole= They said, Banjare= Gypsies, Maal=
goods/wealth/weight a person carries on our heart/all we had; Kahna use- Pass the
meassage to her, Jeevan- Life, zara- short, bahut- al ot; le-de= give and take,suada=
transaction, nipta dalo= finish off;saal-years; bahut= many]
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[5]
Akhir ab tum bhi pachtayee
Kis kaam ka aisa pachtana !
Deewane sadiyon door gaye
Mushkil hai unka phir aana !
[ Aakhir- Now finally, tum bhi – you
too, pachtayee- repenting, kis kaam
ka = of what use, Mushkil- difficult ,
phir aana- come back ]
Us shaam hua yuun mahfil mein...
©’Sahir’, Abhishek Srivasta 2012
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ANNIE BESANT
Annie is a writer based in Chennai,. She is also an aspiring poetess whose
pen leaks with the words of her imaginary world.
Name - Annie Besant
Location - Chennai
Date of Birth - November 20
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Tell us, O Master,
of the house that Love built
murmured the people.
A sigh went up from the Master’s heart.
His fingers moved over the keys, an intimate caress of secret parts.
The house that Love built
was a thing of beauty at first.
He built it out of the first dew of youth.
He sketched it out of the first blush of morning’s dreams.
He scooped the laughter that bubbled
in the cauldron of his heart
and poured it into the foundation.
He carved from the dreams of his future
bright crystalline bricks,
and polished them till they reflected the myriad colours of his desire.
He scraped the glimmer from his eyes
and tenderly, carefully,
rubbed them into the floors.
Love went to the market
and bought ruby red hope,
and joy the colour of golden apples,
to set the walls awash
The house that Love built
was a thing of beauty at first.
THE HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT
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Love then sat at the threshold
calling to his beloved;
offering this home that was the purest part of him.
The people let out their breaths;
a susurration like the wind blowing on thorns.
The Master took pity on them.
Unfinished poetry tastes like the dregs of cheap wine, he knew.
Grief was glorious in her form.
Her hair was the colour of dark desperate nights.
Her eyes were fathomless pools of despair.
Her body was the perfect shape of stunted desire.
Grief heard him calling
and turned her cruel eyes to him.
Love was a thing of beauty.
She seduced him with promises
she had stolen from other lovers.
And kisses that made him forget.
She teased and taunted him
with the rage that sprung from her womb,
rage at his unsullied brightness.
Love drank her in
like sweet opium.
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Love floundered in her darkness
like a drowning star.
The house that Love built
was a thing of desolation.
He cracked open the crystalline bricks
letting them breathe Grief’s scent;
letting them flicker and die.
He spread the soot of her lies
over the floors
so he could escape their blind radiance.
He darkened his walls
with Grief’s blood
that ran like rivers of slime.
The house that Love built
was a thing of desolation.
You can hear Love as he calls from the threshold,
shivering in his loneliness,
blind and naked in his grief.
Love is now a thing of hate.
The rich red walls seemed dull to the people.
The gentle swish of the feathered fans the empty sighs of Love.
As the hookah smoke curled in harsh spirals,
the Master thought of Grief, whom he had once loved.
©Annie Besant 2012
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ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA
Arvind is a resident of Himachal Pradesh, pursuing B. Tech in Mechanical
Engineering. He loves to write Hindi poems. His other interests include
music, photography, doodling and tattooing.
Name - Arvind Kumar Sharma
location - Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
Date of birth - May 24
Educational/professional background - 3 year diploma in Mechanical
Engineering from Govt. Polytechnic, Sundernagar (H.P.). Currently
appearing for bachelor's degree in the same field under the affiliation of
Kurukshtera university.
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The songs of your joy
born out from my cries
you smile and praise. But
there has always been a pain
inside this "Raga of Life".
These rhythms of rejoice
nothing but some unsaid words
its become my fate
never been my choice
there are some broken promises
inside this "Raga of Life".
The songs of love
music, sounds of cheer
glasses of wine
splashing souls
towards the heaven. But
there has always been a silence
inside this "Raga of Life".
A small world of yours
full of colours
aroma of burning candles
and my voice..
healing your sorrows, but
there has always been a tale of broken dreams
inside this "Raga of Life".
Oh! This "Raga of Life".
©Arvind Kumar Sharma 2012
RAGA OF LIFE
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CIJO ABRAHAM MANI
Cijo Abraham Mani is a web portal manager interested in poetry and
literature. He is an emerging social media evangelist and PPC consultant
influenced by the online marketing industry.
Named in India's top influential people online in 2011
http://influence.webitexpo. com/list.htm/113/in
Has been the co-organizer of Cochin Twestival Local 2011 and raised INR
1,71,755 through Twitter http://india.twestival.com/ blog-
entry/1774/what-the- cities-raised-in-2011
Name - Cijo Abraham Mani
Location - Cochin, India
Date of Birth - May 20
Educational/Professional Background - B.E (ECE)
Website/Blog - http://cijo.i.ph
52
Soothing music flows like a wave
The durbar is full of audience
The waiters serve red wine
Men drink and smokes hookah.
The durbar is full of music
The Harmonium player sings
Men listen to the beautiful song
The song soothes the senses.
The music continues till late night
The durbar is full of drunken men
The darkness takes over the music
The music finally fades and men leave.
©Cijo Abraham Mani 2012
THE DURBAR OF MUSIC
53
DR. A.V. KOSHY
He is an academician, poet and artist.
Name - A.V. Koshy
Location - settled in Bangalore, India but presently working in Saudia
Arabia, Jazan University.
Date of Birth - November 23
Educational/Professional Background - Assistant Professor in English
Language and Literature with Ph.D. in the same and various other
degrees.
Website/Blog - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-AV-
Koshy/232091103474997
(author page on Facebook)
http://ppsekoshyav.blogspot.com/
54
My mother told me when
Tansen sang
fire was lit;
water was doused.
A painting always contains
gaps
that speak to me of the
subaltern.
I like the yellow.
Fire is bright.
I like the monocle.
Reminds me of Psmith.
The man behind the curtain
peeks
The punkah bearers....make
wind?
The hookah reminds me
India will always a mosaic
be.
The colours of the skin are
different
The accordion and the
veena
Someone is bringing tea
A sage sits and feels free
TANSEN
55
While people mill around
That must be a fine shayiri
In the centre sits a vessel
Underneath burns a multi-
Coloured flame
In a vessel un-made of gold?!
The curtains, the walls
the swinging chandelier
the carpet, the dresses , the faces
the decorations above the doors
the basket of flowers in the foreground
the pillows, the colours' variegated spree...
I see that to really
see
one must know one's history
The painting has no lovers
or sexy women.
This pains me intensely!
An ode therefore this cannot be
like to the one on the Grecian urn;
the best I've ever read
of ekphrastic poetry!
©Dr. A.V. Koshy 2012
56
GOPAKUMAR. R
Gopakumar. R has a passion for English poetry and loves to write for
different causes so that his floating ideas may influence the readers to
visualize and work for a better world around.
He started writing English poetry in 2006, when he finally realized that
this is what he really loved to do. Passionate about photography, Graphic
Designing, publishing and spirituality, he also loves reading reviews and
criticism.
Name - Gopakumar. R
Location - Palakkad, Kerala
Date of Birth- November 28
Educational/Professional Background – Database Administrator
Website/Blog - Managing Editor of www.poetriesonline.com and
www.xpresspublications.com
57
Listening is an art
Involves your heart and head
A call, to your senses and totality
It makes you fall in love
With the vibe that is passing
Before your sensitivity
From your listening arise,
The meanings and answers
And the wisdom who you are
It let you share those eternal glimpses
all around
We call it, the birth of an Art.
Lord! You lifted me as a seeker
Your lovely seeker, an artist
Please be merciful, my lord
What I am trying to sing
Is your song so divine?
And I feel there should not be any flaw
Ah! This new found song
I love to share
With my hands, voice and totality
Please listen,
All that I can try for you
Is to make you identify those
I SING FOR YOU
58
Music streaming from my Lord
So, I am in your huts and palaces
As your beloved singer
When I play my instrument, I tune myself
With those ever existing melodies around
I bring in all those songs alive again,
That you may let pass every moment in the rush
The whisper of wind,
Chime of streams, chirping of birds
The soothing songs of life, its values and virtues
The silence of big rocks and the sounds of space
All that is forgotten...
For this garment
Oh Lord! In gratitude, I sing a song for you
And I truly wish your song resonate from many hearts.
©Gopakumar. R 2012
59
JAYA SWARUP
There is a lot that Jaya is yet to discover about herself. But, as far as the
journey has been until now, she loves writing. Words keep fascinating her,
pushing her to make life’s journey as picturesque as it can be. She believes
in Karma and hard work. Born and brought up in Lucknow, she completed
a greater part of her schooling from La Martiniere Girls College. Blessed
with a wonderful family that gives her the space to grow and discover
herself, she pursues her passions and goals with zest.
Name - Jaya Swarup
Location - Mumbai
Date of Birth- February 12
Educational/Professional Background –B.Tech in Biotechnology from
Amity University. Presently working in Accenture, Mumbai.
Website/Blog - http://lookslikecheshirecat.blogspot.in/
60
"I stood there, far across in the corner of the room,
the golden tray shaking in my quiet hands.
My lost eyes were drawn to the veins
visibly stretched across my arms.
When the strain of music reached my ears,
as Gustav thumped on the Tabla.
And with covert looks I beheld my lord,
the master seemingly lost in the melodious hums.
From the rich green velvet to the glittering diamonds…
Everything around me spelled grandeur,
as I contrasted it with the poverty in my life.
Across my eyes flashed the dirt
in which my children played,
their small wants pinching my skin,
the broken roof of my house loudly contrasted
with the silken surroundings of where I now stood.
All I could do was quietly sigh!
Hear the easy banter of the courtiers,
they took so much for granted you see,
The spilled wine, the hookah, and what nots!
What if,
for once
they hand to stand for hours in a corner,
waiting for orders??
What if
they had
to live a life
so full of inadequacies and wants?
HAVE-NOTS
61
I was a free man by birth,
but now
I am a slave
trapped for eternity in servitude,
Now
I am the flash of conscience
which is not needed to be heeded to?
With all the inner turmoil
I stand here in the corner,
holding my jug of wine
waiting at their inconsiderate beck and call.
I stand here again as I have forever stood.
And I know
that all these are just wishes,
ramblings of a poor man
A man who cannot afford peace for himself.
I can just see and want and sigh.
The mis-used wealth,
the wastes of the rich
Only if
destiny had played in my favour!“
©Jaya Swarup 2012
62
MADHUMITA GHOSH
Dr. Madhumita Ghosh, is an Associate Professor in English, and teaches in
Muralidhar Girls’ College, Kolkata, West Bengal. She has been teaching
undergraduate students since 1986. She is also attached to Indira Gandhi
National Open University, where she teaches post-graduate students. She
has completed a post-doctoral Research Project on a comparative study of
William Blake and Rabindranath Tagore in 2002. She has published
critical studies as papers in several reputed National and International
journals and magazines. She is editor of “Insignia”, a journal on English
Literature, published by the Department of English, Muralidhar Girls’
College. Many of her poems have been published - seven by Barry Mowles.
Six more are to be published soon by Brian Wrixon. She has also edited an
anthology of poems, published from Allahabad, India.
Name - Madhumita Ghosh
Location - Kolkata, India
Date of Birth - August 5
63
If music be the food of love
play on...
they played on with him
and
he played with the tune
of the elements...
flames lit
cool showers
to douse the rage...
He watches
from a world of yesterday
as flames rage
showers of tears
inundate budding dreams
music lies maimed
on barren cacophony...
We wait
for God to rise
and a magic
for seven notes to sing a rhapsody again.
©Madhumita Ghosh 2012
PLAY ON…
64
NISHI JAIN
Currently working with a leading publishing house in the capacity of a copy
editor, Nishi has also free-lanced and got published with reputed newspapers
like HT Edge. She began writing early in life and went on to acquire a
bachelors' degree in English Literature. Displaying her flair for the subject,
she not just topped in college but also became student editor of the college
magazine. While pursuing a Master's degree in English from Hindu College,
Delhi University, she was actively engaged in various creative endeavours-
like writing for newspapers and magazines. Out of all the forms of creative
literature, she loves writing poetry the most, as she feels that it bestows
immediate and heightened pleasure due to its crisp and pregnant form.
Name - Nishi Jain
Location - New Delhi
Date of Birth - January 18
Educational/Professional Background - B.A., M.A. in English, Copy Editor
with Rupa Publications
65
Wines flow,
Hookahs set,
Careful! The incense is lit,
As evening falls at the rajah’s court,
The amber glow burns away.
The munshi, the minister, the pundit
They all sit
Heady with gaiety
Jealous at his honeyed voice.
Wah! Wah!
They shout catching the rajah’s gaze.
Temperatures soar,
Smokes bellow,
Raga Bhairavi is done,
The rajah wants more.
A beat again,
A light ablaze,
The glass overflows,
As he clears his throat,
‘Wah!’ the minister again goes.
The golden lamp,
Dances on his cheek,
He wipes the sweat away.
THE EVENING SONG
66
‘O beloved, does my voice tremble your heart?
I curse this fate that has kept us apart.’
He croons,
His legs numb,
As their eyes grow moist,
And the room a blur.
‘Ah!’ the pundit moans an invisible lover
The rajah sinks into the silk cushion,
The empty cups lie still,
The curtains ruffle no more.
Nimbly the singer rises,
His fingers still sore,
‘You are late!’ the queen says with a trembling heart,
He holds her silky waist,
‘Dear Queen, tis’ thy husband who keeps us apart.’
©Nishi Jain 2012
67
POOJA SHARMA RAO
Pooja is a freelance writer and blogger. She believes that she is primarily a
mother who often loves to dig her mental teeth into something substantial.
She has worked as a lecturer, language trainer and editor but can be best
described as a student of ‘Life’. Her love for books translates into who she is.
Ever since I started writing her blog some three years ago, she seemed to have
found her niche. Her fine art is an expression of feelings ,life and everything
in between.
Name - Pooja Sharma Rao
Location - Panchkula, Haryana, India
Date of Birth – March 5
Educational/Professional Background - M.Phil. in English from Panjab
University, Chandigarh.
Website/Blog - http://poojasharmarao.blogspot.in/
68
Across
ages and classes
masters, rulers
friends and slaves
relishing some
tangible pleasures,
good wine, smoke
and music
The ladies
royal and common
the marginals in margins
behind the walls
looking from
the outside in
and the inside out
never brought here
other than
for the
forbidden pleasures
holding the
invisible facade
of tradition
men celebrate patriarchy !
©Pooja Sharma Rao 2012
PATRIARCHY
69
RUKHAYA MK
Rukhaya MK is a Freelance Media Professional, and an award-winning
writer. As an established literary critic, she has published her works in
journals and anthologies. She also writes for BrightHub where she has
been recognized with an Expert badge. Rukhaya was a four-starred writer
on Helium.com before they blocked access to international writers. She
holds a M.Phil. in English Language and Literature, and was a rank-holder
for her post–graduation. She is currently pursuing an MBA. She has won
prizes in several writing competitions that include ones at the university
level, state level and national level.
Name – Rukhaya MK
Date of Birth - May 28
Location – Kerala, India
Educational/Professional Background - M.A., M.Phil.
Website/Blog – http://rukhaya.hubpages.com/
70
Hitherto at strife
they remained divided
on the frivolities of life.
The wizardry of the
songster
like magnets to a spring
wound
holding the gallery spell-
bound.
Notes danced hand-in-
hand
in abandoned glee.
Did notes have wings
like doves?
Was Hatred the other side
of the same coin-Love?
The Emperor cried:
”Encore! Encore!
Sans rain, petrichor!”
The melody was one to
relish.
The moment was won to
cherish.
As one note fastened
to the other in song ,
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
71
The courtyard lay unified
relegating all wrong.
Harmony side-stepped noise,
echoes tuned to a voice.
Nothing could beat
the power of art,
as music turned into
the rhythms of their hearts.
Akin to a Name
uncalled for a tag,
Saffron, white, green
merged into a flag.
©Rukhaya MK 2012
72
SURAJ SAMTANI
Name - Suraj Samtani (Bunty)
Location of Residence - Hong Kong
Date of Birth - November 15
Website/Blog - Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suraj-B-
Samtani/103500977502
Poetry Website (complete poetry
collection): http://www.poemhunter.com/suraj-samtani
Official Website (includes other published
articles): https://sites.google.com/site/samtanisuraj/
73
Wow.
What an attendance I've got.
Bow,
In admiration of this lot.
I'm really thankful,
for this attendance.
I'm really grateful,
for your presence.
I know not now what to sing,
I'm too blinded by blankness.
I knew not now how to sing,
I just rest on your harness.
You are the inspiration of my art.
I channel you in my service.
I work for you with utmost heart.
& Alas, I am no longer nervous.
I can just never forget this,
When I felt most connected,
I will always cherish your bliss.
Wherein I felt most nested.
©Suraj Samtani 2012
INSPIRED TO PERFORM
74
SUSMA SHARMA GURUMAYUM
Reading and writing are Susma’s favourite hobbies. Her reading list
includes everything written under the sun. She loves Historical Fiction and poems. Historical Fiction, she believes, are a medium of letting
people know what actually happened in the past through an interesting medium as a novel. As far as her writing is concerned, she’s more into fiction including short stories, and poems. She sometimes write and
composes music. Her guitar is one of her prized possessions. Name - Susma Sharma Gurumayum
Location - Imphal, Manipur, India Date of birth – December 18
Educational/Professional Background - B.A. (Hons.) History from Delhi University. Presently, in the last semester of M.A. in History with a Specialization in Medieval Indian History, from Manipur University.
Blog - http://bembili-randomthoughts.blogspot.in/
75
Room full of people,
He sings with his harmonium.
Listeners mesmerized.
On the eighteen strings,
The 'sitarist' producing
Sympathetic sounds.
The 'sarangi' blades
Giving birth to lovely tunes…
It harmonizes.
The 'tabla' player,
Creating beats with his palms.
Makes the song complete…
Musicians busy.
In the luxurious day out,
The rich enjoying…
Carrying drinks, drugs,
The poor, a part of this scene,
Some creating air…
The flavoured hookahs,
Glorifying even more,
The musical feast…
THE GATHERING (HAIKU CHAIN)
76
A gesturing man
Is invisible to them,
The fair man in blue…
The colours, the lights…
The decorations, curtains,
Oh! They do not see.
Lost in the music
Pleasantly breathing in, smoke
Moment’s happiness...
Resting on pillows,
Tapping along the rhythm,
Lost in their dreamland…
Forgetting their pain
Not remembering troubles,
Music gives them peace.
No women in sight.
Beings only from Mars are seen,
In the gathering…
©Susma Sharma Gurumayum 2012
77
ZEENATH IBRAHIM
Zeenath Ibrahim is currently working as the Vice Principal of Dayapuram
Arts and Science College in Calicut, Kerala, India. She is also a Ph.D.
research scholar at SASTRA University, Tamil Nadu and has a couple of
scholarly papers published in journals and anthologies under the name
Zeenath Mohamed Kunhi. She loves to paint pictures using words as well
as colours and also reading good books. All these passions have taken a
back-seat because of her multiple roles as a teacher, student, wife, mother of
three boys, daughter-in-law and daughter. Thanks to her “friends from
internet”, her love for creative writing has found new wings in the form of
poems. A peace-loving person, she believes that true peace exists only where
there is sacrifice and always loves to look at the positive side of life.
Name - Zeenath Ibrahim
Location - Calicut, Kerala, India
Date of Birth – April 26
Educational- M.A., M.Phil. in English Literature, currently pursuing Ph.D.
78
Picture picture on the wall
What's that you want to tell us all?
Is it some tale of kingly wars?
Merry music or courtly bars?
More conspicuous are those absences
Than those princely presences,
Cryptic curtains and charter'd rugs
Speak louder than those hookah lugs,
No dainty damsel walk the scene
All pushed off to wash, cook and clean?
Penury is just a distant dream
Locked smugly out of the palace seams.
Brickly red paint the exteriors
Bloody red guard the interiors.
Stately laughs echo the dome
Tender smiles lay stifled in tombs.
Picture picture on the wall
Is it pain and neglect that you recall?
Or just a tale of power and pomp
Told with ease and moony romp?
©Zeenath Ibrahim 2012
ABSENCES
79
THE PAINTED WORLD
80 © OM SWAMI
SUNIL TAMBE
81
Born in 1975, Sunil Tambe completed an Art Teachers Diploma from Pragat
Kala Mahavidyalaya, Ahmednagar, in 1994. Moving to Pune after that, he
received a Government Diploma in Fine Art with a specialization in
painting form the Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya there in 1997. In addition,
he also completed a Diploma in Art Education from the Sir J J. School of
Art, Mumbai, in 1998, and briefly served as a lecturer at the SSVPS School
of Art, Dhule.
Tambe’s figurative work is sensuous, with graceful female silhouettes
populating his canvases. Working with black figures on vividly coloured
grounds, Tambe creates striking contrasts on his surfaces. The artist also
successfully represents the exceptional bond between mother and child in
some of his works.
Tambe has had several solo exhibitions at galleries including the Oberoi
Art Walk Gallery and Pradarshak Art Gallery, Mumbai, both in 2008;
Gallery-G, Bangalore, in 2005; K.K. Moos Prathishthan Chalisgaon, also in
2005; and Shyam Ahuja, Pune, in 2001. His work has also been featured as
part of several group shows.
In 1997, the artist was awarded the Kalashri Art and Craft College Prize,
Sangamner; the Babhulgaon State Award, Latur; and the Kala Charya
Puram Prize, Pune.
Source – www.saffronart.com
HIS ARTWORK
82
83
84
85
86
Azure shivers
the nascent fence
holding back
there were scars
her touch shrinks
as wavy blades crawl
to blind those
eye-imprints
stamped
across
a bed sheet starched
recollection.
© Mihir Vatsa 2011
EYE-IMPRINTS
87
AJAY DE
88
"Frankly I did not even know what art was all about. When I was four, I
read a poem written by the Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. In his
poem, Tagore had described three birds fighting on a kitchen terrace. I was
moved, and gave vent to my emotions on paper. That was my first painting."
Ajay De's paintings continue to be shaped by his childhood memories. As an
introvert, he often found himself at a loss for words, until he discovered the
joy of putting pencil to paper to draw and express his feelings. His life, and
the experiences that shaped it, were a source for inspiration. "All my
paintings reflect the complexities and troubles that besiege modern day
society. They are not deliberate efforts. They flow from within. I feel that art
offers solutions to all problems in life, and my work offers a direction to these
solutions," he explains.
De began his career rather unconventionally, eschewing colour and working
on charcoal to convey his experiences on to canvas. "I channelled my energies
into artistic expressions and learnt the right way to stroke the paper with
my fingers and thumb, and even my palm, while sketching with a charcoal
pencil. I believed there was more truth to black and white and that, colour,
although appealing, did not pose a challenge. So black and white tones did
not deter me, and I was not afraid to swim against the tide. I honed my skills
at art colleges, drawing inspiration from my childhood memories, which had
left an indelible mark," says De. On his art, De believes: "Life has left its
impressions, and these are portrayed in my drawings. I am still learning and
will continue to do so. For this, I am thankful to all those who have helped
me, either knowingly or unknowingly, in making me what I am today. My
colours emanate from nature. There is a lot one can learn from it. It is sad
that, today, man no longer finds time to stand and stare anymore."
Source – www.saffronart.com
HIS ARTWORK
89
90
91
92
93
Why are your eyes shut tight,
I know you are not sleeping
tonight
Wearing your golden tiara
Of dreams that are screaming
inside.
Time flies draining all the lies
The leaves of memories fall and
fade
I just want to lose my way
Right into your sweet serenade.
I wish I could grow little wings
To fly away with your little
dreams
I would live a million lives
If you let me see through your
eyes...
©Samik Bhattacharya 2011
THROUGH YOUR EYES
94
JIAUR RAHMAN
95
Born in 1979, Jiaur Rahman earned his Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts
from the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata, in 2003. Rahman’s
watercolours are delightful renderings of nature, with the aim of capturing
a single moment for eternity. The artist has a close association with rural
Bengal, and desires to immortalize the beauty of its fast changing
landscape.
Not one to be bound to the rural surroundings, Rahman has also captured
the cityscape in his works, aiming to portray scenes that are characteristic
of Kolkata. Rahman’s watercolours are misty, almost rain-washed, and have
an endearing quality. He has a unique way of identifying cities with
colours; in one of his interviews, Jaipur, he says is pink, Kolkata, gray, and
Ahmedabad, yellow.
Jiaur Rahman had his first solo exhibition in Ahmedabad in 2001. Since
then, he has had seven solo shows, the most recent being at the Indiaart
Gallery, Pune, in 2007. His works have been featured in several group shows,
including those held at Mystiq Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2008; and at
Epicentre, Gurgaon, also in 2008.
Rahman has also participated in a number of shows organized by the Lalit
Kala Akademi, the Birla Academy of Arts, the All India Fine Arts and Craft
Society (AIFACS) and the West Bengal State Academy. In 2002 he received
the Camlin Art Foundation Award, Kolkata, and in 2001, the Nokia Asia
Pacific International Arts Award, New Delhi.
Source – www.saffronart.com
HIS ARTWORK
96
97
98
99
100
The one you abhor
I call him Lord
His crimson blood
trickles
drop by drop...
And it soaks my soul
pore by pore
in eternal love...
I call him Allah
I call him Ram
His scars embalm
my tarnished essence...
And
the kernel of
Karma
Sprouts within..
I call him Jesus
I call him Buddha
You ask me...
Who is he that you love?
God's shadow
Or Incarnation?
Reality
or Imagination?
I say:
CRIMSON BLOOD
101
He lives in me
He lives in you
He lives in us
Atheist though you are
One day
You too shall
Believe…
You too shall
grieve
His death
But...
His pain
is nothing to you...
Because
YOU
yourself
Callously
Brutally
Demonically
Murdered him...
Slaughtered him
Killed him!
His love is unending
undying
unfettered...
It remains
embossed
As my quintessence
© Anukriti Sharma 2011
102
ANJOLIE ELA MENON
103
Throughout her career as a painter, Anjolie Ela Menon has regularly re-
envisioned her role as an artist. Menon's early canvases exhibited the varied
influences of van Gogh, the Expressionists, Modigliani, Amrita Sher-Gil, and
M. F. Husain. Mainly portraits, these paintings, according to the artist,
“were dominated by flat areas of thick bright colour, with sharp outlines
that were painted 'with the vigour and brashness of extreme youth'.” Menon
admits that her work has undergone tremendous changes with every phase
of her life and that as she has grown older, the narcissism of the early years
has been transformed into nostalgia for the past.
Anjolie Ela Menon was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest
civilian honours, by the Government of India in 2000. Her most recent shows
include ‘Menongitis-Three Generations of Art’ at Dhoomimal Gallery, New
Delhi, in 2008; and ‘Gods and Others’ presented by Apparao Galleries at
Admit One Gallery, New York, in 2000. In 1998, the Times of India organized
a retrospective of her work at the Jehangir Art Gallery, and in 2002, another
retrospective exhibition titled ‘Four Decades’ was held in Mumbai and in
Bangalore. Anjolie Ela Menon has also been honoured with a six month solo
show at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, featuring her large triptych
entitled ‘Yatra’ in 2006.
Menon’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions, including
'Kalpana: Figurative Art in India', presented by the Indian Council for
Cultural Relations (ICCR) at Aicon Gallery, London, in 2009; 'Mapping
Memories – 2, Painted Travelogues of Bali and Burma’ at Gallery Threshold,
New Delhi, in 2008; and ‘Kitsch Kitsch Hota Hai’ at India Habitat Centre,
New Delhi, in 2001.
Source – www.saffronart.com
HER ARTWORK
104
105
106
107
108
THE SILENCE OF HIS LIFE
Kafka sits alone
pondering...
if only he could
feel relieved
from the world
crackling in the backdrop...
All serene...
yet hooting.
Amid the silence
of his life...
black and white life.
© Rahul Sharma 2011
109
RANABIR SAHA
110
“With the turn of the twenty first century, we see a radical change in the life
style, culture, society, economy, everything. Globalization has come; and we
have become the victims of product oriented life styles. The shifting
temperament of the people is always part of my observations. I am sure all
these factors have an important role in my works. I can not ignore the way
contemporary life is going around us, present day politics, vast corruption,
because we are fortunately or unfortunately staying within this...
“My paintings reflect some of these factors. My focus is on the daily life of
the people. I also observe their temperament. As a result, elements like
mobile phones, match boxes, shopping bags, plastic chairs, etc. feature in my
paintings. I used these objects as metaphor of the people’s temperament.
Parallel-ly, they are also depicted as shadow of my own temperament; that is
why they are carrying my sentimental involvement.
Born in 1976 in Nabia, West Begal, Ranabir Saha received his Bachelor’s
degree in Visual Arts (graphic design) from the Government College of Art
and Craft, Kolkata. His solo shows include those held at the Academy of Fine
Arts, Kolkata, in 2005; and a show sponsored by Kanvas Art Gallery,
Kolkata, in 2007. Amongst his group shows are Rajya Charukala Parisad,
Kolkata, in 2004, 2003 and 2001; the Annual Exhibition, Academy of Fine
Arts, Kolkata, in 2004 and 2003; and the State Academy Exhibition, Kolkata,
in 2002 and 2000.
Saha also received the Green Shield Award from the Elizabeth Green Shield
foundation in 2002.
Source – www.saffronart.com
HIS ARTWORK
111
112
113
114
115
GAUTAM BUDDHA ROAD
In the Delhi winter,
a rickshaw rushed beside
Her insomniac steps,
Stalked by many libidinal eyes.
© Mihir Vatsa 2012
116
PAWAN SHARMA
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Date of Birth:
16th January 1979, Bikaner
Academics:
Six month training in Conservation of Art Objects, from N.R.L.C.
Lucknow.2007. M.F.A. Specialization in Painting from Rajasthan, School of
Art, Jaipur.2006. B.F.A in Painting from Rajasthan, School of Art,
Jaipur.2002.
Awards:
National Award in 12th All India Art Exhibition by State Lalit Kala
Academi,Lucknow, U.P., 2010. Kala Mela Award by Rajasthan Lalit Kala
Akademi, Jaipur 2002, 2009. The Best Painting Award at Annual Exhibition
by Rajasthan School of Art, Jaipur 2006. The Best Student Award in Painting
Department of Rajasthan School of Art, Jaipur, 2002, 2003. Award in Inter
College Youth Festival, Rajasthan University, Jaipur, 2002. Award in On the
Spot Painting Competition at J.K.K. by Camlin Art Foundation.2001.
Workshops:
Emerging Artist Painting Camp by Kalaneri Art Gallery, Jaipur Raj.
2011. Young Artist Painting Camp by Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendra,
Lucknow,U.P. 2010. Young Artist Painting Camp by Jawahar Kala Kendra,
Jaipur, 2009 & 2010. Painting Workshop (Kala Utsav) by Bikaner art
studio, at Bikaner, 2006. Drawing & Poster Workshop on "Water Problem"
organized by Hadcone 2003. Site Specific Performance with Chintan
Upadhyay at Shilpagram, Jawahar Kala Kendra. Print Maker's Camp at
J.K.K. organized by All India Fine Arts & Craft Society 2003.
Source – www.absolutearts.com
HIS ARTWORK
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SCARS
Scarred are my faces
With a generation of lies
Look out of your window
And see how the time flies
We have spoken in silence
But your ears were all deaf
Of the promises you have
spoken
And the ones you never kept
I lift my hands today
With a thousand painted
faces
Colors that disappreared from
them
But the memory itself never
erases.
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The voices that you face today
Are a thousand thunders of
fire
Stored from the souls of serene
Deprived of desires
The strength they have driven
From your mockery and satire
Now your voice echo hollow
Of a mere dejected liar
The light has marched the
horizons
The dawn is not so far
You will have our promised
revolution
From each of the throbbing
scars.
©Samik Bhattacharya 2012
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GOURI VEMULA
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Date Of Birth:
1972 at Hyderabad
Academic Qualification:
Post- Graduation in Print Making from S. N. School of Arts, University of
Hyderabad.
Graduated in Painting from J. N. T. U. Hyderabad
Awards: Awarded in All-India Fine Arts Exhibition, Hyderabad Art Society
(1996 & 1999)
4th A. P. State Level Art Exhibition (2000)
43rd National Exhibition of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi (2001)
15th All India Art Contest and Exhibition of S. C. C. C., Nagpur (2001)
74th National A. I. F. A. C. S. Award, New Delhi (2002).
Solo shows: Minaaz Art Gallery, Hyderabad (2003)
Art Heritage Gallery, New Delhi (2001)
Prior to her tryst with art, Gouri was a national level athlete. Asthma
turned her destiny to art, where true to her ilk, Gouri endeavors to excel.
Soon after she lost her father apart from the emotional trauma, young
Gouri was to shoulder financial burden and had to prove her mettle. Her
artistic idiom underwent a radical change. "Her sprinting ability and pace
demanded by pressing circumstances, invited allusions to her as one
'running like a horse'. Somewhere within her was born the horse-woman, a
pictorial variation to Picasso's 'Minotaur', the long standing sexual symbol
of the west. They are visually enriched by her masterly use of the methods of
etching and dry point techniques, as well as superb pen and ink drawings."
-Aruna Bhowmick.
Source – www.alankritha.in
HER ARTWORK
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EV-E-IL
Light-bearer
Lucifer
lurks
around
the world
he
darkened…
While Eve
lives a life
of damnation…
No longer chaste –
never to be hearkened!
Birds of prey
prey upon her beauty…
And devils of hatred
Assemble
to do
the
death duty.
Following Satan’s decree
she lies
fettered
within
the folds of
a tree…
And
Kinnara 131
looks
at her
with
horse-eyes
of caprice.
Lecherous demons
Conquer
every side…
As
the waters of doom
rape Adam’s bride…
Styx, the river
is bleeding red
Adam is dead
Oh! Adam is dead!
A boat
now
lies stagnant
on the shore.
But, it moves no more,
It moves no more.
© Anukriti Sharma 2012
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SATISH MULTHALLI
Date of Birth:
May 1, 1980
Educational Qualification:
2003 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting), Gulbarga University,
Karnataka2001 Diploma in Painting, Ravindra Kala Niketan, Tumkur,
Karnataka
Exhibitions
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2009 Shrishti Art Gallery, Hyderabad
2008 Art Is Zen Gallery and Istana presents World Artists Group Exhibition
in Istana, Bangalore
2007 Presented by Kruthi The Art Studio at Chitrakala Parishath
.Bangalore
2007 Lalit Kala Academy, (Thingala Chithra), Bangalore
2006 ‘Art Huger’, Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore; Ananya Art Gallery,
Pondicherry; Nehru Centre, Mumbai
2004 ‘Art Huger’, Lakshana Art Gallery, Bangalore, Chennai, and
Hyderabad
2003 ‘Genius’, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bangalore
2002 ‘Genius’, organized by By K.L.K.Academy, Bangalore at Mangalore
2000 Kalpa Kuncha Art Gallery, Tumkur
Honours and Awards:
2003 ‘Kalamahothsava’, Painting Competition, Gulbarga, Karnataka2000
Mysore Dasara.
Source – www.saffronart.com
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HIS ARTWORK
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RE-DEATH
I kill my present,
looking for a future past
-when I was sad,
happy too-
to meet the ghosts of past
-I kill my present-
who scream to me
that they helped me once
out of the grave they put me into-
laughed at me; held my shoulder
killed me; gave me a new life
when from a happy present
I had retreated to them
"once upon a time"…
I kill myself:
everyday,
every night,
to wake up anew
with new thoughts
but into a past
listening to them-
the ghosts of past-
which were too dear to me
the ally,
and reasons,
of my bad past…
139
And the cycle continues-
taking birth
committing suicide
every day-
-being sad in past
-questioning the present
compromising with pain
being contented with those in pain
-a patient with a patient-
not coming out of
of the hospital of past…
And being surprised
when happiness comes
-the ray of hope-
the quest:
for darkness overpowers;
and you recede back
-once again-
killing yourself
meeting your friends
-the fellow patients-
suffering like you
not ready to heal
but making everyone sick…
©Rahul Sharma 2012
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MONTAGE: KALA GHODA ARTS FESTIVAL, MUMBAI
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COLLECTING LOSS Only half her face is shown.
The other half covered by a
thick veil.
Her right eye, the exposed
eye,
Shaped like a fish…
Oh wait a minute! Is that a
fish?
She seems to be able to see
through it.
Must be an eye, an eye on
rent perhaps…
A faded red bindi decorates
her forehead.
So that’s more than half her
face uncovered?
Bindis are adorned at the
centre of the forehead
Only one, the usual norm…
The other invisible half must
be bindiless, or not.
Who follows norms these
days?
This dusky maiden,
In the dense green forest,
Is collecting dried fallen leaves,
Collecting loss…
Susma Sharma Gurumayum