Book: Echoes and Sighs
Genre: Poetry
Biographical Info: Prof. Dr Manju is a renowned Poet, Writer, Researcher and Educationist. Dr. Manju is acknowledged as a profound scholar and recognized for having contextualized, various intricacies of life within the framework of her verses. Many reputed journals have and persist to publish her poems and blogs. Numerous of her national and international research papers continue to be a guiding torch for researchers, globally. Her students at Chandigarh University in India, where she continues to be an eminent scholar and Professor, validate her efficacy at spawning and churning out learned students and prospective scholars. The success and cavernous knowledge of her students are testimonies to the indelible imprints she leaves in the minds of her students.
“I wanted to be a river
Flowing wildly breaking the banks of sophistication
Situations forced me to be an ocean
I wrapped gale within silence on my lips.” – Dr. Manju
Interviewer: First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the release of your debut poetry book Echoes and Sighs! How do you feel about it? Tell us something about the book?
Dr Manju: Thank you so much. I am feeling elated on the release of the book as this journey which had started many years ago in the lanes of my mind and heart has taken a new shape today in black and white. This book is very close to my heart. It is based on the experiences that I passed through and certain lessons that I learnt in the school of my life where one learns lesson by taking tests.
Interviewer: Please tell me about poetry? What is your perception about poetry ma’am?
Dr Manju: Poetry is the echo of one’s soul. This is the space where one’s soul giggles and cries, articulates about hopes and fears and releases itself from the pain of sophistication. Poetry is passion, love, beauty and romance and we stay for it. There are so many things which are necessary for life but poetry is the delicacy which nourishes our soul.
Interviewer:When did you start writing poetry? Do you remember the first time you wrote something? What was the source of your inspiration earlier? Did it change with time?
Dr Manju: It was always there in my life. As a child I composed various songs which I sang with my mother. Formally it started when I received appreciation from my teachers for composing poetry. Whenever my soul overflows with the emotions, poetry spills on the blank pages and creates a rainbow of varied ideas and emotions.
Interviewer: Which poets have inspired you? Do you feel yourself ever influenced by the writing style of a poet?
Dr Manju: I am deeply inspired with romantic poets like William Wordsworth and John Keats. Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam is very close to my heart. There are many Gazal Poets whom I love to read and Faiz Ahmad Faiz is one of them.
Interviewer: As a poet, are you satisfied with your poetry? And the same, as a reader, what do you think of your own writings?
Dr Manju: Life is about growing and one ceases growing the moment one gets satisfied.
Interviewer: ‘Echoes and Sighs’ is an impressive collection of poems. What inspired you to come up with this book?
Dr Manju: I composed many poems and many of these poems have been published in various Journals. This collection entitled ‘Echoes and Sighs’ is highly personal and intensely emotional. I believe poetry is passion, love, beauty and emotion and these attributes are there to be felt.
Interviewer: Please share any stanza you have written and you repeat it most of the times.
Dr Manju:
Hurdles are innocent
Without the venom of the flowers.
You won’t die of it.
Interviewer: Please let the readers know about your projects for the future? Are you working on any book?
Dr Manju: There are other books also that I am working on. One more collection of poems is on the way. A collection of short stories is also expected soon.
Interviewer: Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you?
Dr Manju: I am available on Face book and Instagram as well. The readers can find me on Instagram as “Assembly of Emotions”
Interviewer: What is your message to the aspirant poets?
Dr Manju: I would advise the aspiring poets to keep their mind and heart open and let it flow and overflow. Let your soul be true and listen what it whispers.
Interviewer: Thanks for your time! It was a pleasure talking to you. I wish you best of luck for the future!
Dr Manju: Thank you so much. I am feeling overwhelmed with gratitude to Almighty and all the people who encouraged me to present my abstract ideas into concrete form.
“The pores of my pen pine to pour the pain
The wasteland of my heart has a heavy rain.” – Dr. Manju
Order on Amazon: Echoes and Sighs
