The Mind Creative APRIL 2015 APRIL 2015 | Page 74

Reviews From a non-poet: Ravi Kumar I am neither a poetry aficionado, nor a light reader of poetry. But the poems in this collection struck a chord with me and a few of them tugged into my heart. The simplicity and stillness of moments were like an oasis in a parched desert. The desert being a metaphor for my inexorably fast life where I have forgotten to go slow and smell the roses. Nivedita's poems gave me those still moments of reflection. Another interesting aspect of this collection is the sheer diversity in theme and emotions that keeps you guessing. "House no 4, street number ten" transported me to my own battered house in my village in Orissa and "Why did you swallow the last breath, Grandpa" pierced my heart. "Menstrual cycle of the pen" was a celebration of human imagination while "Hanif Qureshi" made me jump out my bed. I had never before encountered suspense in a poetry. Nivedita Narsapuram demonstrates her gift of imagination woven through words like a master craftsman, each poem holding onto itself tightly. Ravi Kumar is a content developer at Autodesk, Singapore. From a visually challenged poet: Jyothsna Phanija It’s wonderful to read the book. The poems are highly musical. “Caged Love, “Middle Class Poet” exemplify your sensitivity. I also liked the use of telugu words and contexts in your poems. They captivate simple moments of life beautifully. Hanif Qureshi is highly imaginative poem. Draupadhi and Krishna also is well conceived. You have a keen observation about the world around you. Waiting to read more of your work. Jyothsna Phanija is a well known poet in Hyderabad. She is a researcher at the University of Hyderabad. Many of her poems have appeared in various journals, worldwide. 74