Aravindan I S

Foreward Janintha Morris is a well known figure in the literary circles of Kerala and needs no introduction. As a multilingual poet - writer (She has the rare accomplishment of penning books in three languages), lyricist, singer, actor, director, and producer of short films she has made her mark and won recognition and many awards. Her published works include twelve books of poems, short stories, and novels in Malayalam and English and also a tri - language anthology of Malayalam - Hindi- English poems. This book, ‘Bahusurabhi’ is her second tri-language poetry collection in Malayalam Hindi English. Aptly titled, this beautiful anthology contains some of the best soul - stirring poetry of recent times. The poems in the English section are a true delight to the soul. Hers is a unique style, shorn off pseudo - intellectual pretensions and endowed with a rare givt to appeal directly to our conscience through her choice of words with which she can write, Rhyme and rhythm comes naturally to ber as in ‘Mamma’s Advice’. “When I reached my teens in flair My Mamma called me by her side choosing each word strongly said Teenage is a tricky stage Stride with caution, waver not” Her social commitment, sense of justice, anguish, and concern about social evils are reflected in her poems which are very perceptive. Contemporay social issues and sensational incidents that have shaken the collective conscience of Kerala as well as some true life experiences find their echo in these poems drenched in heart - wrenching poignancy. The harrowing real - life trauma of broken marriages is captured vividly in the poem ‘Family court’, as though clicked by an expert photographer. “The heart - piercing scene of all, Little kids were also brought, Court decides who should take care, Those born to bickering parents.” As APJ Abdul Kalam has said “Poetry comes from the highes happiness or the deepest sorrow. This poet’s mind is like a fuming vocano waiting to burst whenever she sees inequities. and sometimes the volcano bursts out like a flaming avalanche! As is ‘Zero Minus’ when she asks “Stealing rice, its really unbelievable! out of hunger, it it unforgivable? What use buiding shauchaalayas? when empty stomachs have nothing to throw out?” Or in ‘Abandoned’ “Conceived accidentally, cast aside, Was it out of lust? Or just for a loaf of bread? May be a mother in teens Discarded her like a napkin? Brutally abandoned!” But when the lava gets cooled, her poems bloom and caress us like the breezes from the gentle sea. Like in ‘Starlings though minute teach us, Lessons we human don’t possess, Happiness in oneness forever, Harmony in protecting each other” And in ‘ My offering’, “ I would have gathered heaps of plants That bloom pretty perfumed flowers Roses, Orchids, chrysanthemums, Gerberas Daffodils, Tulips, Jasmines and Marigolds Would have made a bed of flowers And laid your bleeding body gently To soothe and heal, relieve pain The pain you endured for all of us.” As carol Ann Duffy, the UK poet says,” You can find poetry in your everyday life, your memory, in what people say on the bus, in the news, or just what’s in your heart.” This is that kind of poetry, quintessentially feminine, straight from a woman’s heart, crying out to be read. I am sure all who love poetry will enjoy this exquisite bouquet of verses. R. Jayachandran Poet and Social Activist-.