A collection of my twenty-five immersive poems on situations and emotions that most of us are familiar with. Where story-telling ends and poetry begins is hard to demarcate. Most poems have a common thread that is contemporary- the vagaries of professional mind, gender sensitivities, digitalization’s impact on narratives, pangs of aging, self-critique on life’s excesses and arrogance, surge of individuality and boldness to be the non-conformist.
Publisher: D C Books
Publication Date: Dec 11 2023
Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 1 cm
Print length: 188 pages
Reading age: 0 years and u
ASIN: B0CQ2S9DPY
Paperback : 188 pages
Item Weight : 200 g
Country of Origin: India
'Sparks Beneath the Ashes' is an anthology of 25 poems that form an index to the personality of the writer. These poems record the poet's reflections and ruminations on a wide range of issues - life, death, transience, permanence, social issues and the way of the world.
Mathew Arnold's definition of poetry as 'criticism of life ‘suits these poems. Sri Ravikumar's poems, at once serious and philosophic, can very well fulfil this function.
The very first poem 'In Search of Truth' sets the tone of the book. The poem deals with an issue of great contemporary relevance. We are living in the post-truth era and it is difficult to detect 'the absolute truth'. As the poet says, there is only 'your truth' or 'my truth'. The poem ends with the aphoristic statement, “A whole life time withers away, in search of the elusive 'truth ': for us, lesser mortals make-belief truth is good enough!"
Contemporary issues like the collapse of ideals in the political field, society's disregard and neglect of the elderly, man's greed encroaching into animal's habitat are thematised .
'Passing the Parcel' and 'Windowside Perspective' are poignant portraits of the neglect of the old and the weak.
One characteristic of Sri Ravikumar Pillai's poems is their narrative style. There is no poem in the volume which can be called a lyric. The poet himself has declared that every poem contains a story. Another feature is the abundant use of imagery which enriches the poems and makes them highly evocative.
'Jokers in the Pack' describes life as a game of cards, a duel with time, played deep within the labyrinthine chamber called mind.
Two poems that stand apart from the others are 'My Kolkata' scripted by the poet in 1973 and 'The 8:47 Local' written in 1992.Both are drawn from the poet's direct experience of the crowded metropolitan cities and bring out the vibrant experience of life there. There is youthful passion and feeling in these poems.
The vivid illustrations in the book make it more attractive. The poems written in chaste English afford a good reading experience, at once thought- provoking and enjoyable.
Sparks Beneath the Ashes : Critique by D Maya, former Principal, University College, Trivandrum
Shri Ravikumar’s latest book, ‘Sparks Beneath the Ashes’, has an ingrained and innate metaphysical tenor running through each of the twenty-five poems it contains. The book brings out the innumerable conflicts, self-doubts, rebounds, and assertions experienced by the author as he transitioned over time through his poetic perspectives.
In ‘My Kolkata’ and ‘The 8.47 Local’ written during the prime of his youth, the poet brings out the vivid imagery of middle-class life in Kolkata and Mumbai, with teeming millions on the streets. Here a youthful indignation to the struggles and sufferings of the downtrodden seen on the urban canvas are visibly and graphically portrayed. The later writings of the author show more sobriety, resilience and resolve to face the ground realities and fight it out with poise and detachment.
I found the first person, anecdotal, narratives, refreshingly soothing, since these poems remind us of the frailty and tentativeness of every day experiences, and conflicts. One could relate to the pain and ecstasy, joyful exuberance and depressive dejections that are transient in every one of us.
As the poet states in the preface to the book, “Creative expressions defy type-casting. Where poetry ends and storytelling begins is hard to tell.” Life’s experiences are a mix of rhythm, lyricism, imagery, emotions, and fantasy all merged in a mystic way.
The range of subjects covered by the poems is at once fascinating and comprehensive. I would highly recommend you read and introspect on the blend of narrative in the book which would tend to make us more humane and empathetic.
Dr. Prasannavadanan Thampi is an accomplished management professional, academician, writer and singer. He has travelled widely and is passionate about teaching, reading and music.
Sparks Beneath the Ashes : Selected Poems of Ravikumar Pillai
Visakh Gopinath is a Senior Corporate Communications Professional with wide MNC experience, based in Bengaluru.
Sparks beneath the ashes is an enjoyable read. The collection of poems captures our day-to-day experiences in a very relatable manner, sharing some valuable life lessons along the way. I wish I could have read this book earlier in life. It would have opened my eyes to what was to come.
This highly readable book contains 25 poems in free verse with plenty of illustrations, figures, pictures and quotations. The standard of English of the author is high. Keep a dictionary at hand if you want to understand the meanings of all words used. The themes are quite varied. All the poems are original and one cannot detect any kind of imitation or plagiarism. Many of the themes are quite modern. One poem is entitled Ctrl+Alt+Del. Some themes are mundane, some philosophical and some others mythological.
I am happy to recommend this remarkable book to anybody interested in reading good original English poetry.
Dr. George Mathew is a renowned Professor of Psychology with a special research interest in the fascinating field of para-psychology. He is based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Book Review by. Prof. V. George Mathew
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