Sonjoy Dutta-roy

Diary Poems and Story Teller's Rhymes Sonjoy Dutta-roy

Diary Poems and Story Tellers Rhymes continues two traditions of poetry into contemporary times: (a) the oral tradition where fables, parables, and myths are narrated in rhymed verse, both for instruction and entertainment; (b) the introspective and reflective written tradition where deep personal concerns emerge in heightened rhythm and rhyme, through images, metaphors, and symbols. This book blends these two traditions, maintaining a distinction all the time. Some of the fables are originally created out of contemporary issues. "Poach Tantra" takes up the problem of poaching through an animal fable in the Panchtantra tradition. Others like "The Snake Story", "The Comet Avatar", and the "Katha Serial Saga" (a contemporary retake on the frame story of Kathasaritasagar) are remakes of ancient myths to suit the contemporary times. The Diary Poems are actually diary poems preserved through a period of intense personal crisis and transition. Together with the Story Tellers Rhymes, they try to juxtapose the complex and intricate relationship between the objective and the subjective worlds in which we simultaneously exist. For example, "Curtain Calls" is a meditation after the death of the poet's parents in quick succession in 2010. "Poach Tantra" that follows is a grandfather's tale to a granddaughter from an earlier date. At the same time, one sincerely hopes that they are able to continue into these troubled contemporary times, and in an age dominated by prose and reason, the wonder and beauty and possibilities of poetry as narrative and poetry as introspection.