Book Review
Title: The
Journey of the Soul
Author: Dhanya
Ramachandran
Publisher:
Sahitya Publications, Kozhikode, 2025
Pages: 64
“In the
whispers of the wind, I hear a gentle voice.” Dhanya Ramachandran’s poems are generally
gentle voices like the whispers of the wind. The above line is from the poem ‘Seek’.
There is some quest in most of the poems. As the title of the anthology
suggests, most of the poems are inward journeys of the poet, searching for
something or offering consolations to the self.
Darkness and
shadows come and go, especially in the initial poems, like a motif. “In the
darkness, shadows dance and play.” That’s how ‘Echoes of Agony’ begins. There
are haunting memories, regrets, and sorrow in that poem. And a longing for
solace. “Tears dry, but scars remain.”
Shadows are
genial too occasionally. “Shadows sway to the wind’s soft sigh / As we stroll
hand in hand beneath the sky…” (‘Moonlit Serenade’) The serenity of love is
rare, however, in the collection. We encounter a maiden in distress more
frequently: “A prisoner of love’s distorted tide” (‘Moonlit Rescue: A Tale f
True Devotion’).
‘Forests of
doubt’ and ‘deserts of fear’ (‘Seek’) override chirping birds with merry songs (‘The
Little Bird’) and softly swirling rivers (‘River’). There is a crucible of pain
lurking between the lines of most poems, one in which the poet persona “has
been refined, / Tempered like steel…” (‘From Ashes to Light’).
A garden of
joy makes its appearance like the sunlight that filters through the boughs in a
forest. The poet persona is able to ascend to a mystic oneness with nature in
such poems as ‘A Garden of Joy’ and ‘Om (Aum)-Mantra’.
‘Ruins’ is a
poem that seeps into the depths of our consciousness with its rich symbolism
and evocativeness. “Where once grandeur stood, now crumbling stones / Echoes of
a bygone era whispers to the bones…” I was instantly reminded of Shelley’s
famous poem, ‘Ozymandias’.
This slim
volume of 40+ poems reveals a very promising poet whose journey into the soul
is likely to go much further and deeper.
A note must
be made on the production of the book. The binding and printing are of superb
quality.
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| Dhanya Ramachandran |
Seems like profound poetry. Such words pour out only through heartfelt experiences.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite sure that some personal pains drive much of the poetry here.
DeleteDear Sir, your eloquent review has been a testament to your refined literary sensibilities, and I'm greatly honoured by your attention to my work. Thank you so much for your thoughtful analysis and words. ♥️
ReplyDeleteWe were honoured by your personal visit.
Deletethank you!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI searched, for it appeals... I could only find that this lady is full name Dhanya R Nair Pongalil and only available through FB/IG social accounts. No sign of where the book can be obtained. Certainly not outwith India, and no sign of where even within...I could only find Bahujan Sahitya University Publishing, and that does not have a sales page. You are the sole marketing it seems! YAM xx
The author tells me that one has to order it directly from the publisher. Else, you have to contact the author directly.
Delete