Reviews of the book ‘Valley Whispers’, authored by UK-based nature poet Jyotirmaya Thakur
Jyotirmaya Thakur, a retired principal, hailing from India and based in UK, is the author of twenty-six books. She is multi – genre award winning poet of more than 300 awards from literary and humanitarian organizations. A reviewer, translator, columnist, researcher, spiritual, social and environmental activist, she serves on various prestigious Committees as International Ambassador in many literary and humanitarian organizations. Her work has been published in more than 500 anthologies, magazines internationally and translated into many languages. She is invited to prestigious literary festivals as a special guest.
FOREWORD
It is with my deepest pleasure to write my views on the book of poetic contributions of Poet Jyotirmaya Thakur titled – “VALLEY WHISPERS”. She is truly a gifted poetic soul with smooth flow of words and impetuosity in high level thoughts and expressions on the beauty and bounty of the nature.
Unlike many other nature poets, Jyotirmaya Thakur uses nature to describe deeper emotional feelings on the society and human’s inner thoughts. Her poetry has a deep metaphysical meaning. She describes nature in a more mystic and sacred manner in her fabulous poems. She depicts nature to bring about elements of nostalgia and admiration. She connects with nature in a deeper yet simple manner. Her poems speak about good old memories that she cherishes and connects with the environment. Each and every human being is part of nature, even if we live our lives in a city.
When we take the time to examine the beauty of the world around us, we are able to see parallels within our own lives.
Anyone who sits under a tree in summer, smells flowers in a field, climbs a snowy mountain or walks through a grassy park is affected by nature in some way or the other. Many poets include descriptions of nature in their poems. They describe the world around them in writing for a purpose. Not only are they connected to nature but they see life reflected in it. There is more meaning in nature than just the plants and animals around us. Life and environment are similar themes or concepts because environment is the study of how life acts and interacts within the circle of existence.
When we take the time to examine the beauty of the world around us, we are able to see parallels within our own lives. One who is accustomed with nature is in tune with the practice of living. All of nature moves in a spiral as do our personal lives. It is important to spend time in nature because in this way we can become attuned to its wisdom. On the other hand, when we ignore the beauty of nature and spend our time in an urban jungle our stress levels go up and we begin to feel as if we are made out of the concrete that we see all around us.
Jyotirmaya’s poems reflect her love towards daily human life prevailing in this society of hypocrites. The unusual vibrancy makes all her poems, which are exceptionally appealing and alluring as well. She is fast emerging as a poetess of wisdom and self-awareness.. Most of her poems are expressive, close to heart, soft and passionate. The painstaking flow of her verses magnetizes the readers. A beautifully written collection of poems that will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotion and smiles as you reflect on the author’s words, through her shared experiences of life. This is for the reader who wants to be moved and taken to a place of excitement. This fabulous book of poetry is a collection of poems that reflects the world through her own eyes. It is an emotional and creative journey sprinkled with many different life experiences. Jyotirmaya Thakur has a natural and graceful flow for its thematic rhythmic quality and a narration excellence, bounty and beauty of nature. Her lyrical style and expressions, both are simple and submissive and moreover highly elegant and enchanting as well.
When we ignore the beauty of nature and spend our time in a metropolitan concrete jungle our stress levels go up and we begin to feel as if we are made out of the concrete that we see all around us
Most of her poems make us to think of those long days spent in the corner seat of a warmth shadows of a pine tree, watching rain drizzles against the window and listening to the sounds of steaming during early morning. Every season has its special beauty and autumn is no exception. Watching the trees turn from a uniform green to all varieties of gold, yellow and red is a spectacular experience. One can almost be blinded by the fiery brilliance. How can it be that all this beauty is sign of death and decay? With all this beauty there is a certain sadness in knowing that the changing colors foreshadow the arrival of a long cold winter. Life and nature are similar concepts because nature is the study of how life acts and interacts within the circle of existence. When we take the time to examine the beauty of the world around us, we are able to see parallels within our own lives. One who is adjusted with nature is familiar with the practice of living. All of nature moves in a spiral as do our personal lives. It is important to spend time in nature because in this way we can further learn and understand wisdom within us. On the other hand, when we ignore the beauty of nature and spend our time in a metropolitan concrete jungle our stress levels go up and we begin to feel as if we are made out of the concrete that we see all around us.
I extend my very best wishes to Poet Jyotirmaya Thakur for her future poetry contributions to the poetry world. May her poetic works motivate many others to inspire to write poetry? –
WILLIAMSJI MAVELI – POET @ IPOETREE.
BANGALORE
INTRODUCTION
Dr. Jyotirmaya Thakur’s “VALLEY WHISPERS” is a poetic masterpiece that goes beyond merely mirroring Nature, to give it with words and images, a thought provoking personality. The writing is superb in its utilization of language and word structure to create poems that are easily read, yet have a depth of meaning that requires the reader to stretch their intellect and imagination.
There is symbiosis of rhyming structure and prose that showcases the author’s skill with the pen and her ability to fluidly move from one mode of writing to another in the pursuit of ideas. There is a skilful use of words and poetic techniques to bring to life not only the author’s detailed observations, but also her imaginative musings on subjects. Flora, fauna, natural settings, seasons, the planet Earth and other celestial bodies are given personalities, in order to explain their relationships with humanity and each other.
One of the clever techniques the author uses is that of analogies, where seasons are depicted as having emotions and flowers are given human identities. In a like manner human emotions are equated with different weather and seasons, Nature is given the ability to speak and behave in a human manner. This literary blending of the lines between humanity and Nature allows the reader to engage with both as active entities, rather than just static, lifeless ink.
There is an emotionality in the writing that reveals the diversity of moods in which the poems were written and tones which the author wishes to convey.
The range of words used in these portrayals of Nature, demonstrate not only the exemplary elocutionary and language skills of the author, but also her academic acumen. There are alphabetic derivations based on theology, history, philosophy, biology and other academic disciplines that have their source in an intelligence developed by more than just literary pursuits. This imparts the poems with a credibility of intelligent thought, as well as an imperative for the reader to search beneath the surface of the poem for deeper meanings.
There is a respect given to the reader by the author, that they are not just a passive automaton consuming words, but an active intelligence, capable of dealing with the challenge of words outside common language and the layers of meanings that are inherent in ‘Reflections of Nature.’ When the author speaks of ‘Zephyrus winds’, there is not only the exoticism of the term, but also for the discerning reader who is willing to look into ‘Zephyrus’, an imagery of winds from the west and an involvement in the mythology from which the name came.
There is an emotionality in the writing that reveals the diversity of moods in which the poems were written and tones which the author wishes to convey. Pieces range from wise adages on how to live, to wondrous depictions of scenes, to witty stories and whimsical representations. This has the effect of taking the reader on an interactive journey that not only incorporates the sights, sounds, smells, movement and sensations of Nature, but also an emotional content.
At times it feels as if the author has the power to encapsulate the imagined mindset of the subject, providing the reader with a perspective beyond just descriptive, which seemingly takes them to a mental place of oneness with the poem’s subject matter. This is exemplified in her poems on birds, which not only illustrate an extreme depth of thought and detail in observation, but also the imagined thought patterns of the birds. There is a desire by the author that the reader suspend logic, experience not only scientific explanation and the exquisite pictorial representation, but also the imagined feelings, imperatives, motivations and thoughts of the bird.
This ability to give life to subjects in Nature, allows the author to establish a mental bridge between reality and imagination that allows the exploration of interrelationships between aspects of Nature and their relationship with human society. This is one of the mechanisms that allows the poems of ‘’VALLEY WHISPERS” to transcend just mirrored reflections of Nature and humanity, to become thoughtful mental reflections of them and their interaction.
While the poetry pays homage to the beauty of Nature and the corresponding impact of this on human psychology, housing, sustenance, education, romance, creativity and religion, there is also an emphasis on idealistic ways these interrelationships should occur. This is best understood in the poems about the interaction of children with Nature, where there is an abandonment of scientific logic and personal judgment, in preference for an uninhibited oneness with Nature. There is an unspoken belief invoked by the author, that somehow humans have mentally become separated from Nature and forgotten they are part of it.
‘VALLEY WHISPERS’ is a beautiful, deep, meaningful and thought provoking examination of humanity and Nature, which will be an infinite source of pleasure for both the lovers of the natural world and poetry. The incredible imagery and myriad of meaning contained within the pieces, are testament to the poetic brilliance of Jyotirmaya Thakur, reflecting her intelligence, attention to detail and literary prowess.
Vincent Stead – Australian Poet
REFLECTION
It’s a great privilege on my part to write the synopsis for this Anthology -VALLEY WHISPERS.
I do put down these words upon great surprise, being one to read poems of Mrs. Jyotirmaya Thakur, an erudite and esteemed Poetess of modern times. She, being an Indian citizen, presently residing in, Kent, UK has published several anthologies in English language. This one is all about Nature and its impact upon life and ecology which is quite interesting to read and contemplate; especially when the whole humanity is concerned about the ecological imbalances.
She does write poems in majestic expressions, born out of keen observations of whole nature and surroundings. Her lofty thinking, about human life always based upon mother earth, and the cyclic process of sustenance of animate and inanimate objects, based upon Indian mind, in its Cultural footage, upon which she makes her words with motherly touch, well balanced, as is always witnessed in the commencing poems in this book.
From her, “ Sunrise Dream” where she’s pouring out her unparalleled poetic talents with the love for nature and the lessons thereunder, moves on to” Village of Gardens”, “ Bird’s Chart”, Balcony Sunshine” … “Motion” ….”Clouds”, “Spring”, “Rainy Day”, “September Requiem”, “Awesome Autumn”, “ We have Roses”, ” Transfers”,.” Mother Deer”, “Nature’s Child”, Diversity in Nature”, and in poem” Water- The Midas Touch”, is providing a banquet to readers, of her vision and mission.
I was in a wonder space where the Poetess with her words enchanting, yet truthful to Nature and truth, but at times, with feel of myth, love and awe, traversed in mirth. Hearty congratulations dear Poetess, “A Woman of Words”!
I am quite sure, your readers would welcome this Anthology wholeheartedly!
Best Wishes!
Adv. Alby Raymond Parackal
POET’S MESSAGE
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever
It’s loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.”
John Keats.
The loveliness of Nature has a specialty of enchantment and it’s beauty is a joy forever. Human is the best creation of God and this beautiful Nature is the best gift of God to human beings like the ‘Eden Garden’ for the first humans, Adam and Eve. With the advancement in technology, the humans have developed number of ways to exploit the resources of Earth to satisfy their needs. They have been successful in changing the face of Nature for their comforts. Humankind are recklessly using up resources and producing waste in Nature. The scientific developments have proved a boon for human but has proved a bane for Nature by creating pollution.
“We are successors of resources from our ancestors and owe to our future generation.”
The need of the hour is conservation of natural resources by restoring its pristine beauty. We should not forget: “Earth has enough to satisfy everyone’s need but nothing to satisfy anyone’s greed.”
“Therefore, on every morrow, we wreath in
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth,
Spite of despondency, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble nature’s, of the gloomy days.
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching. “
Pablo Neruda.
The beauty of Nature wipes away our troubles and when human rests in its lap quietly, it’s an exotic moment where a sense of togetherness and oneness prevails. Every day is a new hope, new joy, which binds us to the Earth.
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