INI NEWS:

An Exclusive Interview with a poet
VIRENDRA GUPTA

-- the author of a book of poetry “ THE UNKNOWN”
© By Indian News & Interviews (INI)

    "English is the language of the masses in India and therefore a good literature in English will flourish In India, though Poetry is not really having a good audience as of now. Poetry readings should happen on large scale in India and I think Universities should take the lead to encourage English Poetry as a new genre in their syllabus and literary activities", says Mr. Virendra Gupta when asked, "What’s the future of English Poetry in India?", in an exclusive interview to ‘Poets International’, a monthly journal of short verse, published from Bangalore, India.

    Graduated in Economics from Punjab University, Chandigarh and joined a premier multinational Company in Marketing, a job which took him to various parts of India and abroad.

Initiated into Public Speaking during his schooling at Simla, he also dabbled in Theatre, Radio Broadcasts and creative writings. His early poems were written in Hindi for which he won some coveted prizes at University level. Started writing poems in English from 1985. Some of his English poems were translated in Hindi by Dr. Badri Prasad Virmal, a renowned Hindi Poet and were published. He has been invited to recite his poems by many prestigious organizations like BHEL, Centre For Advance Technology (CAT) and many educational institutes.

Upon moving to Bangalore in 1987, he joined the workshops of Poets International and started writing in many structural forms, including Haiku poems.

Published works include poems “ ANCHOR” (1994), “ JOURNEY” (1995), “ RIMINISCENSES” (1996). His poem “THE UNKNOWN” (2000) got published in Millennium Indian Poetry. Other published poems include “EXPRESSIONS” (2001), “ VILLANELLE” (2001), “ MUSIC OF EXISTENCE” (2001), “ SPRING” (2001), “SILENCE” (2002) and many of his Haiku poems were published in Poets International yearly anthologies, besides regular publication in its monthly journal.

He has featured in podcasts of ideajugglers.com and participates in poetry reading sessions by “Caferati” in Mumbai.

Awarded as one of the “ Best Poets Of The Year” for 2003 by Poets International
for his distinguished and lifetime contribution to poetry.

First collection of Poems “ THE UNKNOWN” released at Bangalore in 2006 which has received rave reviews internationally from literary critics.

 Q. What made you write poetry?
 
 A.    Poetry is self expression and it comes naturally to a few. I started writing Poetry during my college days as I felt strongly to express myself on certain issues. However, the real love for good poetry was kindled during my school days by my teacher Dr. C.L. Gupta who used to recite poems of great poets in our literature class.

     A. For me, the seeds of a poem are created somewhere in the unconscious mind propelled by an unknown unified force which is the unified force of human consciousness and then it gathers energy in subconscious mind and then in a meditative state, it flows out to become a song, Therefore, it is my belief that a poet is born and cannot be created. Whosoever meditates and whosoever has a deep sensitivity and possesses a heart that loves; whosoever knows deeply the nuances of a language, its similes, its metaphor, its meter and its rhythm becomes a poet. He then speaks through symbols and images.

 Q. When did you write your first poem and in which language?

 A.    It was by accident. I decided to write my debut poem to participate in a University level Poetry Composition Competition during my college days. I was reading a book, “Think & Grow Rich”, by Napoleon Hill which contained a chapter” Sixth sense”. I tried this technique and a poem evolved which I had titled “Budhijivi” in Hindi which won me the Gold Medal for the best composition. Later on I have written in both Hindi and English.

Q. What made you choose English as the language of your expression?

 A.    I started writing Poems firstly in Hindi and later on in English, for I am comfortable in both, though I do feel that nuances of both languages are different. In English, I find a lot more flexibility in usage of idioms and expression.

Q. To begin with in what format did you write poetry?

 A.    I initially wrote in free verse only. During my stay in Bangalore, I came in contact with Dr. Fakhruddin and attended his poetry workshops. In his workshops, I learnt the various structural forms of English Poetry writing and it prompted me to write some of my poems in structural forms like Sonnets, Ode, Haiku, Quatrain, Villanelle, Tanka, Couplet and Zen Poetry etc.

Q. You have been writing poetry in English in free verse as well as in classical forms on various themes. Can you speak something about free verse and classical poetry which triggers your mind and brings in personal joy? 

 A.    Both forms of poetry give me a sense of joy, though writing a classical form requires a lot of effort, challenge and dexterity. What is more important is that a poem should be lyrical and should have a certain flow. A poem even in free verse should have internal rhyme, rhythm and rich imagery. A classical poem should not lose the good rhythm due to the structural boundaries of the form or meter.

Q. What makes you write classical forms of poetry?

 A.    The sheer challenge to write within certain parameters and discipline is exhilarating and gives a sense of achievement. It also satisfies the creative urge in a poet.

Q. How long do you take to write a poem?

 A.    Sometimes I write in a flash and at times, it takes a lot of effort. I wrote a recent poem at 5 a.m. in the morning during a trip to Germany as I felt a great urge within when I got up. My poem “Eco Rhyme” was written in just 5 minutes and even though I tried to edit it afterwards, I could not find any word which I could change.

Eco Rhyme

A woman with thick glasses
On her chubby face-
Weaving an ornate pattern
Needle by needle-
Ticking time
In a waiting lounge of the airport.

The land
Sprawled in a large vista
Beautifully tended
Inch by inch-
Like a crochet pattern
Weaved by the woman
With thick glasses
On her chubby face.

Somewhat arranged
Like a piece of classical poetry,
Meter by meter
All syllables arranged
And rhyming pattern done-
A harmonious production
This vast land-
The lakes, the fields,
The windmills and
Even the small rabbits
Frolicking in the dusk light.

God’s gift
Preserved like a
Piece of a celestial song.

Q. You excel in writing poems on Nature and philosophy. What’s the secret behind this phenomenon?

 A.    I was born in Shimla hills and therefore feel more close to nature. The imagery connected with nature appeals to me greatly which I use in my poems. I also have keen interest in spirituality and life related issues appeal me a lot. My poems “Pursuit” and “ Journey” reflect this sensibility.

Q. You are the author of a book of poetry “Unknown”. Could you please tell me in brief about your first collection of poems? 

 A.    It was a memorable experience and gave me a great sense of joy. Though I had a fairly good collection of poems, I decided to get my book published after I got encouragement and help from Dr. Mohammed Fakhruddin of Poets International to whom I am indeed indebted. I have written poems on nature, human nature, philosophy and a man’s inner urge to reach the depths of his soul. My first collections of 56 poems reflect all these emotions and feelings.

Q. What made you choose title “Unknown” for the first volume? Are you preparing for the second volume of your collection of poems?

 A.    My initial poem were on nature, human emotions etc. but lately I have written more on human frailty and the inner quest of a human being to grope within and find a resting shore for his soul – the journey to The Unknown. The title   “Unknown” seemed to me the best title as it reflected my inner quest for exploring the Unknown – the supreme being.
I shall be publishing my second book by next year or so.

 Q. What message you would like to convey through your poetry? 

 A.     Life is a journey but most times, we are so engrossed on our goals that we miss the scenery, the company and the love of fellow beings during this journey. Life is to live every moment with joy and love.

Q. who are living Indian English poets who impressed you most?

 A.    Though I enjoy a good poem written by any poet, irrespective of one’s name and credentials, I appreciate the works of Gulzar, Dr. Fakhruddin, Tasneem, Prakash Madhwani, Rita Malhotra to name a few. It of course does not belittle other good Indian poets. As I said, I like a good poem which may linger in my thoughts for long.

Q. Your talent has been recognized by various poets across the world. How do you feel and what do you do to keep up the standard of your poetic expression?

 A.    It is indeed an honour for which I am indebted to Poets International. I write only when I strongly feel the urge to write and do not attempt writing frivolously.

Q. Name the English poets who have created an impact in your mind?

A.     The greats of English poetry – Keats, Wordsworth, Milton, Tagore. Their works are immortal.

Q. Do you read poetry written in other languages? If yes, who are the poets whose expressions in this verbal art did inspire you?

 A.    I enjoy Hindi poetry and also translated versions of Poetry from other languages too. I like to read poetry written by “Suryabhanu”- Hindi and “Udayan” – a Gujarati Poet of eminence. Both use the modern expressions which contain humour and deep insights. I also enjoy Urdu Ghazals written by great Urdu Poets like Ghalib, Mir, Jigar Moradabadi, Zafar and others. I have always enjoyed poetry of the great Hindi poets – Dinkar and Nirala.

Q. How many languages do you know and in how many languages could you read, write and speak? Do you write poetry in any other language also?

A.   I know English, Hindi and Punjabi of which I know the 3Rs.I also understand and can speak Urdu.

Q. What’s the future of English Poetry in India?

 A.    English is the language of the masses in India and therefore a good literature in English will flourish In India, though Poetry is not really having a good audience as of now. Poetry readings should happen on large scale in India and I think Universities should take the lead to encourage English Poetry as a new genre in their syllabus and literary activities.

Q. As you have been reading Haiku Poetry regularly, published in “Poets International” monthly journal. Also you have been writing poetry in English in various Japanese classical forms including Haiku. How do you feel writing poetry in Japanese forms besides writing poetry in Free Verse  and other English forms?

 A.    A good Haiku is written after a lot of meditation, as the great Haiku tradition says. Very few good Haiku poems really touch you. I think most Haiku are written without the discipline. I find many good Haiku poems written by Dr. Fakhruddin. Japanese forms of Poetry have become very popular worldwide. It is an enriching experience to try and write in various classical forms and Japanese forms besides free verse. Ultimately, writing and reading a good poem should be an enjoyable experience and should strike some chord with the reader or listener.

Q. As you are aware that Poetry is the mother of world literature. Why then poetry is being sidelined at university level in our country?

 A.    From times immemorial, the inner voice of humanity has always emerged in the form of poetry and that is how the wisdom of an age has been passed from generation to generation. Whether it was a romantic urge of a craving heart or a spiritual quest of a wandering yogi, the heart has spoken the language of a song, a poem.
Tagore has written:
                                        “My song has put off her adornments 
                                            Ornaments would mar our union
                                          Their jingling would drawn thy whispers
                                          Let me make my life simple and straight
                                            Like a flute of reed
                                           For thee to fill my music”
Universities have a role and responsibility to shape the psyche of the new generation and it is only through good literature that this can be accomplished.

Q. The appointment of “Poet-in-Residence” at the Post Graduate level in all Indian Universities is not in vogue even though such appointments do exist in the West. What’s your opinion? .

 A.    I think it is a wonderful suggestion and we, poets should petition HRD Ministry to form some guidelines in this respect. The present HRD Minister Mr.Kapil Sibal has also published a book on his poetry recently.

Q. Writing poetry is a verbal art which needs individual recognition and specialization at university level. Don’t you think It’s high time that Union Human Resources Ministry  in general and U.G.C. in particular should review the present system and bring in reformation at all levels while giving importance to Indian English poetry?

 A.    As I said, we should pursue this matter with HRD Ministry.

Q. “Poets International”  demands the creation and establishment of a national “POETRY UNIVERSITY OF INDIA”, at Bangalore. Do you support such a demand? 

A. Great idea, I shall fully support this move.

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Dr. Mohammed Fakhruddin is a poet, journalist and Founder-editor of "POETS INTERNATIONAL", a monthly journal of short verse being published from India.<www.poetsinternational.com>