An Interview for Writers' Mirror Assam, India, FB Group

I am happy to be interviewed by esteemed Poet Bipul Ch Kalita  and  featured in the "Happy Saturday with an Eminent Poet" segment of the Writers' Mirror Assam India Facebook group  and its unit Mirror’s Literary Criticism.

Bipul Ch Kalita: (BK)- Could you briefly tell us about yourself?

Rajeev Moothedath (RM) : I am a former corporate executive who is also a poet and writer. I retired from Hyundai Motor India Ltd from the position of AGM (HR) and is presently engaged in my twin passions of corporate training and writing poetry/ articles. I write three blogs containing poetry and prose. 

My book in prose “straight from the heart –Thoughts and experiences of an HR professional” was published in June 2015 followed by three eBooks “Corporate Poems- Straight & Simple” (on Kindle) ,  “Random Thoughts on Random words”  and “20 verses and 20 Prose Notes on 20 Lofty Topics” (Blogchatter Publications)  . An interview featuring me has been included in the reputed publication "21st century critical thought" - A dialogue with post-modern voices”.  My poems have been published in a number of national and international anthologies.

 BK: Why do you write?   

RM: If only I could answer that question in a matter-of-fact manner! A cliché answer would be “I write because I am”. It is not as if you plan and plot before writing - with intention to change the world, make a difference or tug at the heart. Some thoughts come to you and before you know it, they are converted and find a place on a sheet of paper. While an impact may or may not be made on the reader, it is not planned in advance. However, when I write prose, it is more deliberate. As for example after attending a professional HR conference, I capture on paper the main ideas and learning for the benefit of those who could not attend.     

 BK:  Who/What inspired you to be a poet?

RM: I first wrote a poem during a free period while studying in the fifth class. I cannot explain how and why it happened. Subsequently though, the poets mentioned in answer to question number no (5) could have moulded my thought process as also influenced and inspired me to write more.

BK:  How would you like to define poetry?

RM: I would like to define poetry on the lines of the great poet William Wordsworth as powerful emotions that come to you spontaneously recaptured in a calm frame of mind subsequently. (Wordsworth’s actual words were “Spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions recollected in a state of tranquillity”)

BK:  Who are the Classical, Romantic and contemporary poets that you like the most?

RM: At the outset, I would like to clarify that my love for poetry was kindled by the exposure I got and poetry that I studied from the CBSE text books at school. As I had selected English literature as one of the electives, we got to read poems, novel and plays not only in the general English class but also in the literature class. However, it is not as if I read a lot of poetry subsequently since I branched out to working in the corporate sector.

Without going into the classification, I would like to mention some of the poets whom I had loved reading namely William Wordsworth (Daffodils), Thomas Gray (Elegy written in a country churchyard), Percy Shelley (Ode to the west wind), John Keates (A Grecian urn), Alfred Lord Tennyson (Home they brought her warrior dead), Nissim Ezekiel (Night of the scorpion) and Rudyard Kipling (If)  

BK: What do you prefer- rhymes or free verse?

RM: I started out using rhymes as in those days, poetry was expected to rhyme. However, presently, I don’t pay attention to this aspect. Sometimes it rhymes, but the basic aim is to get the thought across effectively. So, the answer is there is no such preference. The poem will find its suitable form.

BK:  How does Facebook poetry differ from the others?  

RM: I am not sure about Facebook poetry being different from others. It is just that you have plenty of material in this medium without having to go in search of things to read or having to buy books. What you read there could influence the next poem you write; particularly in a situation where many groups have weekly contests requiring members to submit their poems under ‘Comment’ of the notification.

BK: Would you like to say briefly about your published books? What about your upcoming books?

RM: I have already mentioned about my books in answer to the first question while talking “Brief about myself”. Here, I would like to reiterate that I am basically a blogger. I have sufficient material in my blogs and if I wish, I can convert those into books anytime I want. To my mind, what is more important is that your writing is read. In what form and the prestige associated with it, may change with time. As for example the idea or mindset that cinema has to be released in theatres to be appreciated is being challenged by the reality of OTT platforms.

I am planning to publish a book of insightful essays on topical issues with the assistance and support of Blogchatter. Further, a book with spiritual base focusing on practical application is also on my wish list. In the long run, I would also like to publish a poetry book containing selected poems from my blog.  

BK: Please share one of your latest poems.

RM: My poems over a period of time, have tended to search for ways to live life more effectively with less hassles. It is my belief that a lot of complications in one’s life is caused by us, ourselves. This recent poem conveys similar sentiments.

Beware of Entanglement- Either this way or that way!

Something you don't like
something you don't want

someone you don't care for

some idea, ideology, that repulses you. 

 

All these are best handled

by not engaging with them

not thinking, reading or talking about them 

 

Even if you are thinking, negatively

of what you don't want

they're still the focus of your mind!  

 

Just keep away, ignore 

and not get entangled with

what you don't want 

entanglement, this way or the other way 

equals hobnobbing with what you don't want 

and engaging with them in your thoughts

 

For keeping the spirits up

for peace of mind 

keep away from the unwanted

beware of entanglements!  

BK:-Very nice poem; no doubt. Do you think that Facebook poets and their poems have been properly appreciated?

RM: As in the case of other forms of art or talents like singing, Facebook and other social media has opened up a big opportunity for getting attention, being noticed. It was a Herculean task in the pre-social media times for poets to make a mark. However, as there is a floodgate of poetry today, many poems may not be actually read or truly appreciated. Yet, clicks of ‘Like’ may give the impression that they are appreciated.

BK: How have your readers inspired you to keep writing?

RM: The expectation of the readers of my blogs for consistently writing has been a big motivation to continue writing. As for example, at one time a reader expressed his dissatisfaction when there was a gap between blogs pointing out that he had been eagerly waiting for the next.  

 BK:  Do you think that govt and non-govt organizations have done their best to promote world class literature?

RM: Frankly, I am not aware of activities for promoting literature beyond what is being done by the National book trust, established by the Government of India. NBT has many initiatives such as distributing books to school children (Samagra Shiksha Abhayan), organizing book fairs & exhibitions, organizing New Delhi world book fair, assistance to authors and publishers, promotion of children’s literature etc. A lot more could be done particularly in the area of educating and guiding future authors on the way forward and pitfalls to be avoided.

BK:  Do you think that Facebook and other social media have challenged the print media?

RM: Not yet. But who can say about the future? To my mind, rather than from an unorganized social media, the threat as of now to print media is from Kindle and other E forms of publication.

BK:  What is your opinion on the awards and certificates issued by various Facebook groups?

RM: It is certainly thrilling and motivating in the beginning to be recognized. However, when you soon realize there is no exclusiveness about it and that there are so many of such recognitions bestowed by multiple groups every week, the sheen is bound to fade.

BK:  How do you feel when you interact with the poets from different countries, specially through Facebook?

RM: It is certainly a good feeling. In fact, Facebook provides opportunity for exposure to different types and styles of writing from various countries. if used properly, we can make friends and also have appreciation of other cultures.

 BK: Do you experiment with your own poetic creations?

RM: I must confess that I have not consciously tried to experiment with the new trends of writing such as Haiku and the various hues of mini poetry. In a way, I am wary of rules bound writing. I would rather that the poems wrote themselves. (Spontaneous overflow, remember?)  sans too many restrictions.

BK: Do you think that Facebook poets have contributed in bringing peace to the war prone zones?

RM: Poets are generally drawn to noble causes and write about things that matter and touch them; so is the case with peace. As the number of poets writing on Facebook are huge their efforts certainly influence and impact the vibration of the universe. To that extent they contribute to world peace.

BK: Do you have any suggestions for our group?

RM: A thought came to my mind that since the group is connected to Assam, you could perhaps have competitive events to showcase the rich culture and traditions of the state. Perhaps apart from poetry, the group can promote writing of articles on Assamese cinema, on stalwarts like Bupen Hazarika and so on.

BK: What suggestions do you have for your co-poets?

RM: In the times that we presently live in, there is a pressure to compare and contrast. There is a need to get more likes, more certificates and more awards. In such a scenario, it is natural to be discouraged or have feelings of “not being enough”. Therefore, it is important to not fall into the trap of comparison. Writing authentically, what comes naturally from the heart instead of going after what gets you ‘Likes’ is the key. I wish all my fellow poets a very creative and fulfilling poetic journey! 

BK:- Thank you, dear Sir, for responding to my questionnaire so earnestly and preciously. I hope we will meet here on this platform with some more important literary topics for discussion. I wish you a great literary career ahead.
RM: Thanks a lot Bipulji! Enjoyed every moment of our interaction.