Moving On to Ink Dries and beyond

When I decided to take the plunge and bring out my first collection
of English poetry I wasn't one of the "poets" belonging to a clique
or a group, or someone with an established "voice" / reputation,
academic credentials / blog, etc.

Nor was I -- for that matter -- someone established in prose or
any other genre, a name out in the market and known to readers.

In other words, I was out and out obscure and unknown. In other
words, expecting any mainline publisher to show interest in my book
would have been a bit like wishing for a lottery.

As such, I decided to go it alone and self-publish my poetry. And I
put up Coucal Books to do the same. With the objective of bringing
out other poetry books; of poets as obscure as me.

But then, this and that has resulted in the last two years being a
bit choppy on the personal and professional front; which meant I
couldn't really do much about scouting out for other poets looking
at getting their books out.

Besides, in these two years there hasn't been an earth-shattering
awakening of interest for poetry in the minds of readers. And
though it is a bit easier to find out the "niches" of poetry lovers
thanks to the burgeoning numbers of online groups, poetry books
are still risky propositions, slow starters, etc.

So, the sum total of books brought out by Coucal in the last 2 years
is one. Mine.

And the next book that Coucal's bringing out is also mine.

In the eyes of a lot of discerning or opinionated or plain cynical
people out there this would look like vanity publishing.

I wouldn't know; I am as vain about my poetry as any poet out there
but I certainly don't write to get famous or to show you my best side
or to see my name in print.

Nor do I write poetry (or bring out poetry books) to become rich,
for that matter.

So I would like to see what I do as self-publishing, that too in the
great tradition of senior Indian poets like Nissim Ezekiel, Jayanta
Mahapatra, Arun Kolatkar, etc.

For those who can't make out the difference between vanity publishing
and self-publishing, I have nothing much to say.

For those who are interested in poetry; specifically those interested
in bringing out their poetry -- hey, Coucal is here, drop me a mail,
(or message me on FB) and we will take it ahead!

Speaking of "Moving On", I still think it was one of the best things
to have happened to me, one of the most important things I have done
in life. Since then, I have learned a lot about poetry, poets and
publishing, but I am happy to say that my passion for poetry still
stays un-quenched and I will keep at it. And as far as poetry books
go, Moving On has garnered a fair amount of readership and been pretty
well received with many readers writing in to me appreciating this poem
or liking that poem.

Since I haven't done this elsewhere ever, a big thank you to all my
readers.

Yes, I promise to keep at it and write and publish more poetry,
even as the ink dries.

Signed copies of Moving On available at Evening Hour

Blame it on me (and the heat) but I have forgotten to get the word out about this here. Yes, the title of the blogpost says it all, the good people at Evening Hour are holding stock of a few signed copies of Moving On. Order it here or call up 040-65873003 for more details.

Shipping is free anywhere in India.

This blog and that book

Not that surprisingly -- considering that I am not that active with comments and feedback on the "blogosphere" at large and as such probably haven't encouraged any fellow bloggers to leave comments here, I have absolutely no idea of who lands up here on this blog or why / how.

Call me irreverent or plain politically incorrect but I have a sneaky feeling that many of those who land up here are prospective Father-In-Laws or employers. And I guess "readers" of both these categories either can't make head or tail out of me (which is something I cannot either, most of the time) or get scandalized by the number of times the word "Beer" occurs on this blog, or by the labels and the categories, or whatever and beat a hasty retreat :-)

With due respects to all such readers, what to do I am like this only. And not to worry, I am as middle of the path and stodgily boring as most people my age having to "earn a living", apart from those times when I am indulging in one of my escapades -- road trips, close encounters with nature or pursuits of other things poetic.

Which brings me to the basic reason behind this blogpost. To throw some light on this blog itself. I had started this blog around 2 years back as a precursor to bringing out my book and most of my poems (those written "here and there" across the years and those "written" barely minutes ago) were published here first. To an audience of one. Many of those poems have not been presented in Moving On, for a variety of reasons most of which have forgotten :-)

After the decision to bring out the book happened, this blog hasn't really reflected my muse and pursuits poetic and most of the blogposts normally meander and wander along on topics related to "this and that". Or maybe they do and its just that when I see this blog with a critical eye, I forget to realize that blogs have a life of their own too. And this has grown as it has fancied, taking me along for the ride :-)

And that brings me to my book, "Moving On" which is surprisingly moving on at a fair clip (considering it is poetry and considering that I have done almost nothing to promote it) and also helped me connect with a number of like-minded poetry lovers, with people who have taken the pains to write in with encouraging words.

Come December it will be two years since I brought out Moving On and though I will never know how much the book has suffered due to my inability / disinterest in promoting it, I still feel a kick about bringing it -- a true-blue honest "coming out of the closet" book of poetry -- out.

And somehow (sitting at a cyber cafe at Bhubaneswar after meeting Sri Jayanta Mahapatra and being gifted a copy of "The False Start" by him yesterday) it seems to be the right time to bring out my second book. After all, the idea was to hit top speed with the first book and then keep moving on!

Shiva Temple, Palakolu

Knees grating on the cold granite
feet getting numbed by my weight,
I marshal thoughts into coherence
mumbling more than one early morning prayer.

Why do I get drawn, moth-like
to these crowds, babel and mock devotion that I disdain?
Why do I pronounce shlokas in English
and yet don't pray for visas to lands abroad?)

The digital camera grasped crab-like,
I compose and shoot the temple spire in diffused light
to wonder as hundreds of pigeons get aflutter –
was it because I uttered "Om Namah Shivaya"?

(Why can't we who live lives, time our joys right?
Of what use, blessings of sacred rice that slide off a tonsured pate?
Or an ardent, desirously male devout gaze
that's not a spell-binding hymn that Shakti can hear?)

"Media-shy" from my book (Moving On) nominated for "Best of the Net Anthology"

Yes, one of my poems (Media-shy) has been nominated for Best of the Net Anthology by Asia Writes. A big thank you to the guys at Asia Writes and Professor Lee Upton (the judge who selected the 6 poems to be nominated from Asia Writes).

Thank you again, Asia Writes and I wish you guys go from strength to strength!

Saundhi -- An Evening of Poetry

Apart from being a number of things that are food
for thought, Evening Hour is also a bookstore
(and lending library) that sells books online.
My book has been available at Evening Hour's Kukatpally
bookstore for almost 4 months now and Priyanka (who's
single-handedly taking Evening Hour places)
also tells me that it has been doing well and
attracting readers.

For as long as I remember, Priyanka has been
inviting me to interact with Evening Hour's
customers under their "Meet the Author" event.

For as long as I remember, she has also been indicating
a keen interest to organize an event specifically for poetry.

That's the setting then, for Saundhi -- An Evening of Poetry
at Evening Hour's store on 26th of June.
I will be there and in conversation with Dr. A Giridhar Rao.
Thereafter, it will be an "Open Mic" session, for poetry readings.

If you have wanted to meet me and are in Hyderabad on
Saturday do please drop by and say hello.

And yes, if you have wanted to experience the magic of
a poetry reading, or wanted to read out poetry
(by you or by anyone else) to a very receptive audience
in an informal, chilled-out atmosphere, don't miss
this "Open Mic".

Saundhi - An Evening of Poetry
When - 26th June, 2010, 6.30 pm onwards
Where - Evening Hour Store, JNTU Lane, Kukatpally, Hyderabad

Questions about "Open Mic"? Call Priyanka at 040-65873003

Know somebody who you think writes amazing poetry? Let him / her know!

Moving On, now available at Benguluru

If I ever get around to doing a book tour, I would love to do it on my trusted Bullet. And what better way to carry along my books on the road, but in my Cramster saddlebags? After all, my first pair of Cramster saddlebags lasted me for more than 6 years, usually carried at least one book (apart from my Lonely Planet Atlas, my other maps and notebooks into which I rarely wrote my trip logs and other biking gear) and never gave me no issues!!

And yes, I have another new pair waiting for me to hit the road again. When I will be doing a book tour and which book I will be carrying in my Cramster saddlebags, only time will tell.

Meanwhile, if you are in Bangalore and wanted to get a copy of my book, do pick it up from the Cramster Showroom. It is at,

110A, Westminster, Cunningham Road, Bangalore - 560092

The store is open on all days (including Sundays) from 11 am - 7:30pm , and the phone number is +91-80-41519713.

Many, many thanks (and a biker salute) to Keerthi and Cramster for this.

Moving On -- Now available at Walden

Starting today, Moving On is available at Walden {stores at Road No. 2, Banjara Hills and Greenlands Road (adjacent to Pulla Reddy Building), Begumpet / Somajiguda}.

Incidentally, Walden had given me a lot of food for thought (as an "account" being pitched for) way back in 1998, while I was with an ad agency a stone's throw away at Topaz Building.

Meaning, I had done the research on what Walden's advertising should be about and then stayed up some nights to write the copy :-)

It's another story (of course) that we never made a proper pitch........

Nice to see that Walden's still doing good business (the store had around 20 customers at around 11.00 today morning) even these days when there are bigger and swankier bookstores around.

Nicer to see that they are as choc-a-bloc full of books today as they were then.

Nicest is that they are stocking Moving On :-)

Ugadi Pacchadi, 1999

The calendar
by birthright and mother tongue
that I call mine
doesn't have a scary millennium,
waiting beyond the brink.

The rituals
I these days follow
for release, money and the release of money
don't know any falls,
I alone walk the edge.

This new year
has to taste different
last year's sourness cannot be bittered
and this spoonful of sweetness, like a day
can't stay on as a permanent aftertaste.

From Moving On

As indicated by the title of the poem, it was written on Ugadi, 1999 (yes, I know it seems almost a lifetime back). Ugadi (March 16th, this year) is Telugu New Year day (as opposed to January 1st) when a Pacchadi (chutney / mixture) is made and eaten across all Telugu (and Kannada) households.

Apart from being deliciously tasty, the Pacchadi's ingredients themselves are supposed to be indicative of the overall balance of life. As such it comprises of the sweet (jaggery / sugar, banana, other fruits ), the sour (tamarind / raw mango), the bitter (neem flowers), the salty (salt) and the hot (green chillies).

Please do note that this is basically a simplistic explanation, there may be deeper meanings in that spoon of Pacchadi.

"Bittered" in the poem is not a typo, its word play :-)

Kaliyugabdi 5,111 Ugadi Subhakanshalu

Free Shipping (anywhere within India) offer on Moving On

For all of you who have wanted to know where to get my book from, here's a quick update! You can order "Moving On" at Evening Hour, here at absolutely NO shipping charges. Thanks Priyanka!

The book (paperback, 100Pp, 72 poems, foreword by Hoshang Merchant, published by Coucal Books) costs 150 INR.

In fact, according to some well-read friends, "Moving On" can probably be called three books rolled into one, since the poems presented in it deal with three distinct themes / subjects. The euphoria and angst of reacting to and dealing with "this wide, wide world", the pleasure, pain and nostalgia of "love and loss" and the joys and discoveries of being "water-washed".

Some critical feedback has come in on the book, I will be posting up the same here soon.

I guess, "Moving On" would mean so many other cliched things to so many people, but this title was chosen because it does justice to all the poems in the book.

So if you have wanted to get it, get it now! And in case you have any problems do drop me a line, will be happy to help.

Two poems up at Asia Writes

Media-shy and Banyan Square, two poems from my book, Moving On are now up at Asia Writes. Do take a look, they are here

Moving On - Now available online

Just another quick note to all those who wanted to get my book, its now available online here

Please note that shipping (within India) is extra.

Please also note that shipping is free (yes, free door delivery) within Hyderabad.

Moving On - In the bookstores

Just a quick note for all those who wanted to know, my book "Moving On" is now available at Akshara (stores at West Marredpally and Banjara Hills) here in Hyderabad.

Moving On - 5 poems up on Pratilipi

Pratilipi, a bilingual quarterly magazine that I love for its excellent content and design has selected 5 of my poems for publication. Do take a look

Rahul and Giriraj, a big thanks to you guys!

I am also excited that Pratilipi is participating in and will be be available (in print) at the Jaipur Literature Festival, way to go!!

Two poems up at Danse Macabre

Danse Macabre's (first) Internationale issue is out. And two of my poems (from my recently published book, "Moving On") are up there (thanks Adam and Nabina). Do take a look (you will need to scroll down).

Meanwhile, in the passing of another year another decade has ended. But then, another year is ahead of us and another decade starts.

Wish you all a very Happy New Year and may the Muse (and other good things) visit you all through this year.

Moving On - The book launch!

Yes, it happened and happened pretty well too.

No, I did not give any impressive talk, in fact I goofed up (majorly). I still find addressing a gathering tougher than contemplating a 650kms in a day ride. All the last minute worries regarding how successful the launch would be did not help either!

Anyway, its done now and the book is launched and I am happy that the book has come out exactly as I had visualized it.

A bit about the launch.

Dr. T Giridhar Rao was the Master of the Ceremonies and he was spot on in the excellent way he managed the evening.

Dr. T Vijay Kumar introduced my book and spoke at length about what he felt was good in my poems and also briefly touched on various pitfalls that come in the way of "first book authors" that I have managed to avoid. He then released the book.

Thereafter the poetry reading started with Mythili Nayar reading my poems first.

Then Little Theatre took over and just blew the audience away. In fact I was getting SMSes while the poems were being read - "This reader is just awesome man!" "That was mindblowing" and so on....

Thereafter, both Dr. Girdhar Rao and Dr. Vijay Kumar read some more poems.

And then I did some signings too :-)

A big thanks to all who made it to the event braving the Hyderabadi traffic and distances. I had expected a larger turnout but then as they say, "the best laid plans of men and mice"....

A big thanks to Vijay Marur, Sarala Mahidhara, BS Prakash and Shankar Melkote of Little Theatre and Mythili Nayar for reading the poems of an obscure poet to an obscure audience.

I look forward to more such events and I hope that Coucal flies into and off the shelves of bookstores too :-)

P.S. - Have put up one pic of the launch here (thanks GR), to my left is Dr. Giridhar Rao and to my right is Dr. T Vijay Kumar. Yes, that's me in the middle :-)

Moving On - Book Launch Invite

For all of you out there who have taken the time to visit my blog and interact with me about "this and that" poetic, here's the book launch invite. Do consider it a personal invite and I would be immensely honoured if you can drop by for what promises to be a very poetic evening!

For those who may have problems finding the venue (like I usually do in the fast changing metropolis that is Hyderabad), if coming from Jubilee Checkpost, look out for a Water Tank / Tower (?) with Kavuri Hills written on it to your right. Next look out for Madhapur Police Station and turn left at the traffic signal opposite Madhapur Police Station. Drive / ride / walk on this road and you will come to a lane on the left with a board pointing the way to the venue. If you are coming from the other side, I guess its equally simple, ask for Madhapur Police Station and turn right at the signal.

See you there at Chitramayee!

P.S. - I could be wrong but I have a sneaky feeling that this road opposite Madhapur Police Station once used to be the "not so secret way" to go to what used to be called Secret Lake - now called Durgam Cheruvu and for all purposes a small mirror of stagnant water that reflects back the city's lights at the heavens above...but then, I could be wrong :-)

Moving On - Book Release

Yes, it is finally happening.

I am launching my book here in Hyderabad on the 18th of December.

This is just a quick update, will post up in detail pretty soon.

Venue - Chitramayee, State Gallery of Arts Auditorium
Kavuri Hills, Madhapur

Date - 18th December, 2009

Time - 5.30 p.m. onwards

Cycle song

The 4'o clock sun must have
melted from summer's heat
and rained all over
this cloud canopy
making it a washed-out, silver
diffusion of light.

Off the seat - pedalling furiously,
below me, I see
me and the cycle
on the rain-wet road,
less, afternoon-shadow,
mirror reflection, more.

My road's a banked river
of wet asphalt,
its mosaic rain-soaked;
a watershed, for
just born puddles and streamlets,
all along its banks.

Lucky me, bicycling
in the year's first rains
lucky me, what I spit out
is not sweat
or the dregs
of baggage and bitterness.

From "Moving On", this one is also up at Kritya (thanks Rati for accepting this), do check it out here

Crossing over

Crossing over
from green bank to greener one,
shirt glowing a schoolboyish white
the field hand
grows another limb
bringing his crowbar down
sharpening it
on the winter-sun wet
whetstone of black and blue
that's this asphalt stream
on which, car-borne,
from one busy blacktop river
to another busier one,
we cross over.

From "Moving On", also published on nthposition (thanks Rufo!), do check it out here