introduction
I am a very unlikely candidate for a writer let alone a poet. I’m an Engineer by qualification (Batch of 1989 in Electronics & Communication) and have been in Sales & Marketing in the early part of my career before delving into Human Resources and turning Entrepreneur. For the last 5 years I have been working for a Global Christian Organisation and this has been the best part of my life and career. Being at work and its challenges and commitments does not give me much time with Poetry but I make do with what I have.
My love affair with Poetry began while I was in college and I first started writing Couplets in Hindi / Urdu (called SHER). English has been part of life since early childhood, be it the schooling medium or the Church we went to as we grew up. The King James Bible and the Methodist Hymnal have had major literary influences on me.
At the same time minimalism and micro-poetry have fascinated me. A few years back I started writing what I used to call as ‘ZEN DOZEN’ – 4 lined poems with 3 words in each line. All things Japanese too held a lot of fascination for me. I had been an ardent Bonsai practitioner for many years before giving it up as I couldn’t spare the time that was needed. I am an avid photographer as well.
At the core of my being is my Love relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ (some call it Religion) and it influences everything I do.
My Haiku journey
The Pandemic initiated me into Haiku and Facebook fuelled this flickering flame into a raging inferno. I was informally initiated into the Formal 5-7-5 style of Haiku and find great joy in it. No, I do not despise the shorter forms or the longer (Newlyn Haiku) ones. I am currently enjoying the ‘Anserine’ poetic form initiated by Keith Evetts.
Beyond the 17 syllables I impose no other restrictions on my writing. I have regularly used Pictures to enhance the Haiku experience as I feel they provide the contextual background from which the Haiku blooms. I have nothing against those who don’t use pictures and I’d rather complement them for taking on the daunting task. Also I am unapologetic about using adjectives and rhymes and in fact greatly delight in doing so.
Most of my Haiku tend to be rather simplistic and often motivational. Even though I primarily write Haiku for myself, I believe that keeping them simple, makes it easy for them to be comprehended and appreciated. However, one important aspect of my Haiku composition is the “Emotive appeal”. The spirit is the same as that of the cutting third line of the Haiku but I do not believe in restricting it to the last line.
Creative Writing Groups
It is indeed a pleasure and a delight to be part of a creative writing group like TDH. Being surrounded by like minded folks whose works I can appreciate and who can reciprocate the joy makes it so much more worthwhile. I do love responding with Haiku replies to the Posts of friends in the group.
The biggest takeaway is the huge variety of creativity that flows unceasingly. To savor so many perspectives is simply delightful. I am also glad that here at TDH we are lenient with the occasional longer versions of poems. It is also touching to see people open their hearts out to each other, knowing that they will be understood. It is also such a joy to see the therapeutic side effects of a writing group such as TDH.
Two of my favourite Haiku which I have not shared on TDH so far
The first one is my take on Basho’s Frog
Awkward on the land
Effortless under water
Surviving both worlds
Hasty intrusion
Into Autumn’s time and space
Season’s first snowfall
In conclusion I would like to say that Haiku has brought so much joy into my life and on the down side, made my regular conversations challenging, as I tend to slide into verse unintentionally much to my embarrassment.
Thanks, Amanda for making this happen. My privilege indeed.
18 Comments on “Conversation 54: THE DAILY HAIKU INTERVIEWS: Ravi Kiran”
Joy, excitement and openness radiate from this interview with you Ravi, alongside a wonderful awareness of your own writing process and appreciation of others through being part of a writing group here at TDH. I love the ‘hasty intrusion’ in the final haiku describing snowfall in Autumn, such a beautiful observation and thought. Your haiku have intensity and that emotive power that creates immediate connection to your words. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you Amanda for TDH. Such a wonderful journey of joyful learning.
Ravi, a wonderful interview. I love the natural simplicity to your Haiku. Always insightful, truthful and that emotive appeal, touches soul for me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and inspiration.
My pleasure indeed Birdie Breen. Thank you for your kind words
Great stuff young man. I admire your determination to retain your own independence of spirit while working in a rigid format.
Draw inspiration from folks like you Stan. You make the journey possible. Thank you for your kind words. You actually made my day calling me a young man. The reality is that a odd grey follicle pops up every now and then while many black ones pop out often. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ravi! I love the way that engineers can become poets… shows we all contain multitudes!
The true joy (on a lighter note) is when one gets to use both the halves of the brain. Thank you Penny.
Your haiku are full of soul Ravi and I always enjoy reading them. Thank you too for your kind comments and positive encouragement to the rest of us.
Lovely interview!
Thank you Vivienn. Following my heart leads me to Soul lands and my works often drift off the path of what a “True Haiku” ought to be. But then again what the heck?
It’s lovely to get to know you better Ravi. And yes, that image of snowfall untimely intrusion into autumn’s space is a beautiful image. Thanks for sharing your poetry with us.
My pleasure Eric. Been enjoying your insightful works too.
Found your interview fascinating, Ravi. Love that you’re so creative, when your background is so technical. I always enjoy that so many of your comments are actually haiku.
Thank you Jenny.
Wonderful interview, Ravi, nice of you to share your story with us. I like your attitude towards poetry in general and haiku in particular. I always look forward to reading your haiku, they have heart and soul in them. ❤👩🦰🧡🦊
It was delightful reading your interview and knowing more about you.
I admire the writing style in your haiku. The hasty intrusion of snow into autumn’time and space is such a lovely observation.
Here’s to reading many many more from you… And good wishes for many more accolades for your haiku 🎊🎊
very nice to read Ravi, i enjoyed your simple and effective ,conversation’ and the tail-piece ku.
i am reading it now on its repost by Amanda.
Ravi,
I am so pleased that Amanda shared this interview as I missed it when it was originally published.
So very interesting to hear of your professional background and your journey to focus on your spiritual side.
Sincere thanks for sharing your poetic verse, as comments to my haiku, so often much better than my original poem.
Lastly, kudos on a fantastic photo showing your winged side.
Wendy Blomseth