Tag: Pushpalatha Ramakrishnan

HORIZON OF POETIC TWINKLES:
SOME REFLECTIONS
Patrick Sammut,
Republic of Malta

Dr. Ashok Chakravarthy Tholana and I have been friends
through internet for many years, thanks to our common interest,
Poetry. For years, many from all over the world, have regularly
received and appreciated his poetry, through his printed books,
but especially through the net.
The poet, like every human being, has a narrative to recount. Dr.
A Chakravarthy Tholana’s narrative in this new collection of
poetry – his eighth one, with 100 poems in all – can be divided
into five main sections: the existential poet; the eco-poet, or the
poet as an ecologist; the peace poet; the social poet; and, the self-
reflective poet. Stylistically, Dr. A. Chakravarthy Tholana prefers
the traditional forms, especially quatrains, with rhyming
couplets, as one of his favourite rhyming schemes. The reader
shall be cherishing poetry both as a play on words, and sound
poetry through alliterations, assonances, mono-rhymes, and
what have you.

The Existential Poet: As a human being, Ashok Chakravarthy
Tholana writes about the here and now, or his presence in the
real world. In It Dawns as Usual, he recounts and sings about
past and present ups and downs, personal experiences such as
childhood, village life, love, and actual moments of despair. All
this is delivered through a particular lexical register: “petals”,
“ocean”, “greenery”, “hills” and “meadows.” Poetry is here
presented as painting or photography. Poetry and philosophy
move hand in hand in Chakravarthy Tholana’s verse. In Fleeting
Time we read: “Facing upheavels and travails/ In ‘the boat of
time’, life travels. “Life’s Big Miss reminds us that the poet is a
being who feels both homesick and conscious of “the fleeting
time and the advancing age.” An inner feeling of his is that of
being caught “between... two shores”: his home town where
there is bliss on the one hand, and the city where he works for
his daily bread on the other.

The Eco Poet: As an eco-poet Chakravarthy Tholana’s plea is
against the destruction of key natural areas on our globe, such as
the Amazon Rainforest. If We Fail to Confront This is a
reminder that all humanity is responsible for such devastation.
Prosper with Nature is about animal extinction, deforestation,
and destruction of nature. The poet cautions that “Nature is
bound to unleash its fury in the future” if human beings
continue with such conduct. Thus, his plea is: “Let the world
prosper with nature without any rift.”

The Peace Poet: Although what we read here are the verses of a
poet who is always conscious that “The world is a mere
decoration of delusions” (The Peace Space) and “the world is a
spectacle of illusions”, what really Chakravarthy Tholana does
through his poetry is inviting us to world peace. In Ushering in a
New Dawn the word “peace” is repeated twenty times within
the space of twenty four lines. In A Poet’s Vision... we also read
that the poet is a being of foresight, the pen being his only
weapon. The poet’s duty is “To spread equal love and generosity,
/ To arouse humane instinct in humans.”
Knowing that the world is at the same time “painful and
adorable”, in, Pray the Creator Chakravarthy Tholana prays to
“boost the human conscience”, to “implant human-trust,
mutual”, to “rouse mercy in human thoughts” and to oust
“human self-centric mind”. Apart from education, love is the
other antidote to hate and disharmony: in You are Someone we
are reminded that no man is an island and that humans survive
thanks to love, just as fire survives thanks to firewood.
The Social Poet: Chakravarthy Tholana is no dreamer, and thus
his are poems of protest against selfishness, wars, self-inflicted
pain, child abuse, general apathy, violence, materialism and
inequality. (With a True Delight) Many of his poems take the
form of a call for humanity’s transformation from “self-centric”
to one “cautioned by veiled inner-self.” (For Joy Eternal) Service
to Humanity is Service to God showcases the poet as a moral
being, a spokesman of truth, justice, love, hope and charity. Key
lines in this poem are: “Real bliss and ultimate contentment of
life / Rests in rendering service to humans in grief”. At Who’s
Behest is about a substantial part of India’s reality: slum areas,
famine, poverty, and the orphans’ desperate struggle for food.
The Cry of a Street Child is about loneliness, hunger and more
despair (“My dust laden body, torn clothes and sunk eyes”).
Children need “parental caring” not “suffering”! A similar poem
is For a Child Forever Is... where Chakravarthy Tholana stresses
the importance of the mother as giver of love, wisdom and light.
For the poet of the present collection the man in “tattered
clothes, feeble body”, “Imparts to one and all, a fitting lesson /
To rid ourselves from selfish motives / Lest, we cannot fulfil
life’s objectives.” And in Chakravarthy Tholana’s mindset, life’s
objectives are the achievement of unity, charity, dignity,
solidarity, security, nobility, amity, equality, all emphatically
recurring words in his poetry.
Education is a key tool against social degeneration. Thus, Pages
of Learning Books is a tribute to teachers as groomers of our
minds, enemies of ignorance, mentors, and “light of
knowledge... of wisdom.” The poetry in this collection
encourages the reader “to break the shackles of ignorance / To
realize the true purpose of life’s relevance” (Unless We Realize),
and to find again “the bliss of self-vision... truth and realization”
(Truth and Realization).

The Self-Reflective Poet: Chakravarthy Tholana is also an
ambassador of Poetry. Mantle of Peace is about the benefits of
poetry, understood as a “mighty weapon” against death and
destruction, “a balm, a peace-filled nectar”. Indeed, in It Is the
Poet, the latter is perceived as “saviour” and an envoy of all
“acts of humanitarian nature”; here the conviction that
“poetry... changes the human mood” is supreme. The poet is
conceived as a supreme being, standing in a privileged position,
in the sense that he lives both amongst the people and at the
same time is like an all-seeing eye reflecting on various facets
that are part of humankind’s everyday life. The poet is privileged
also because his priority is not survival, but reflection. He is a
reflecting Self, omniscient and omnipresent – see When I Look
Deeper -, his gaze noting every outer detail (“dried-up leaves...
Fall to the ground”; “birds in their nests”) and inner emotion
and suffering (“unknown fear[s]”). Incite the Mind is a powerful
poem. Chakravarthy Tholana emphasises that, “Poetic
thoughts/ ignite,/ implant,/ Inflate,/ invent,/ Inject,/ Induct/
And incite the mind.”

Conclusion: This is a collection of poetry not to be read all at
once, but to be gradually savoured day by day, like an excellent
bottle of wine. Let us however remember that although the poet
of this present collection is conscious of the many
disappointments we as human beings face in life, his remain
poems of optimism and hope. Thus, his poems, read day by day,
will certainly generate in us readers a sense of positive vibes,
respect and unity with both humanity and the universe. In
Upright Thoughts Chakravarthy Tholana writes about the power
of words: “they possess real value and power” and “Every
powerful word related with life / Does act like a potion to
transform life”. (The Potent Words) Such “potent words” and
words of transformation remind us of the unforgettable speeches
made by former peace gurus such as Ghandi, Mother Therese,
Martin Luther King Jr., and Pope John Paul II in their relentless
plight against hatred, racism, nationalisms and war. Dr. Ashok
Chakravarthy Tholana’s narrative in Horizon of Poetic Twinkles is
also one which invites us readers to stop for sporadic moments
during our rushing day to reflect about what really makes
human beings tick: essentially one race, inhabiting the same
space, all of us off springs of a Mother who (for our own sake)
rightfully demands our care, attention and respect.

March 2020

Patrick Sammut
Republic of Malta

FOREWORD

Mrs. Pushpalatha Ramakrishnan,
Tamil Nadu

This book, Horizon of Poetic Twinkles written by Ashok
Chakravarthy Tholana seems to be a masterpiece bestowed upon
Mankind for all are living in a state of restlessness, always on the
move to attain the highest position, no time to think about the
ailing humanity. At such a crisis all are graced by the
composition made by the eminent poet Ashok Chakravarthy
Tholana. The book appears to be very emotive and emphatic as
well. Though it abounds with autographic elements, it seems to
be elevating the soul and even enhancing the minds of all
towards peace and enlightenment and transport all into the
world of bliss.
The poet is probing into the depth of his heart and pondering
over the past. When the poet opens the window, he notices the
school children, walking past meadows. He is taken back to the
past, his childhood days, his mother's love and the changes
grabbing him into the stage of adolescence, the days when he is
enticed with the petals of love and the days his love being
snapped up.
At times he seems to be very philosophical when he sees the
selfish world which he often visualizes; it is vying for supremacy
over others. He insists on the positive approach to anything with
a clear vision which sets everything right. From the start to the
finish of the book, the poet pleads for peace and aspires to
maintain harmony at home and country.
He appears to be a lover of Nature for he loves the environment
very much. In the poem ‘Amazon Rain Forest Fires’, he raises a
hue of cry against deforestation and sincerely wishes all to
safeguard the ecosystem well. Another most remarkable poem is
‘Why Don't We Respond’, which brings out the state of the
miserable children. Being full of sympathy, he feels very sad to
see their plight. He wants all to make a response to the alarming
conditions of the kids.
He often dreams about a day when humanity is to be awakened.
He hopes for such a day when love and kindness flow like a
serene river. As a socialist, he wants all barriers on the basis of
caste, creed and religion to be removed and to establish a sense
of common brotherhood among all. Sometimes he seems to be
highly philosophical for he passes through the evolution of
thought. He observes how everyone is caught-up in the
materialistic world, hankering after materialistic pleasures. He
always listens to the inner voice to attain peace. Just like him he
wants all to get benefitted. His observation of life in the poem ‘A
Righteous Will’ depicts the spinning of life into a pool of
delusions which reveals our thirst for materialistic pleasures. At
such a critical state the poet comes forward to affirm that the
only determination to follow the Righteous Will alone shall
confer us with success.
As a serious thinker, he raises his voice against the ailing
humanity. The power for supremacy is the factor which makes
countries vie with one another to ride on human debris. As a
lover of humanity, he pleads for mercy, for love, and for concern
which alone can transform the alarming condition of the world.
A short analysis of all his poems shows how he propagates
peace. Most of the poems signify the need to spread peace to
maintain harmony at home and at the world as a whole. He feels
proud of singing that "I am poetry, yearn to prophecy the
Universal Truth". The poet frankly admits how the memory of
the fond love that helps him to unravel the mystery in his mind
and pave a way to become a prolific poet.
The review of all his poems shows the compassion he has for the
homeless children, the need to maintain eco-balance, the
necessity to maintain peace to enter into a new Era.
The quintessential ingredient of life is supposed to be positivity
which has been the underlying statement of his poems too. The
earnest request made on his part to free helpless children from
violence and exploitation is worthy to be noted. The pledge for
child care and protection shows the unconditional love he has
for the homeless children. I am very happy to see the traits of
goodness, kindness, immeasurable love for the mass and Nature
too in all his poems. Wish his poetry flutter and speak of peace
and truth across the world. I recommend HORIZON be read by
children at schools, students at colleges and universities.

Mrs. Pushpalatha Ramakrishnan
Poet – Writer Singampuneri
Tamil Nadu, India

FOREWORD

Corina Junghiatu,
Romania

The exceptional quill of Dr. Ashok Chakravarthy Tholana is
addressed to all lovers of peace, unity and knowledge, being
himself an impetuous promoter of these values. The author
generously gives us, in his 8th volume of poetry, titled, Horizon of
Poetic Twinkles, the essence of the good, of the knowledge and
new horizons for accessing these gems. Often we find in this
volume the phrase "light of knowledge", his poems being,
without exception, a reflection of the light of knowledge.
Speaking about Dr. Ashok Chakravarthy Tholana, is a gifted
poet, writer and reviewer from Hyderabad city, Telangana State,
India, whose message-centric poems got published in no less
than 90 countries across the world. He’s conferred with several
prestigious, national and international awards, that include five
doctorates and quite a lot of laurels, commendations, citations
and titles for his prolific poetry contribution in promoting
Universal Peace, World Brotherhood, Environment
Consciousness, Protection of Nature, Safeguarding Children
Rights, Promoting Human Rights and on several other socialcentric issues.
For his unique poetry compositions, Dr. Ashok received
commendations from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former-President,
India, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, former-Prime Minister, India,
Bill Clinton, USA, Queen Elizabeth of Britain, Princess of
Wales, President and Prime Minister of France, Prime Minister
of Switzerland, Senator Viktor Busa, The Lord President, Italy,
United Nationals Organization, UNESCO, UNICEF etc. As of
now, seven poetry compilations, viz., (1) Charismata of Poesie;
(2) The Chariot of Musings; (3) Serene Thoughts; (4) Twinkles; (5)
Reflections; (6) Altitudes; (7) Outlet; out of 18 volumes of English
poetry have been published and received wide readership
acclaim all over the world. And, 12 spiritual-related books have
been translated so far by him from Telugu (local language) to
English language.
Dr. Ashok Chakravarthy Tholana belongs to the category of
poets of great grandeur, unique by the high intensity of the
experiences and the messages, unique by the candor of the
lyrical attitude, by the grace of his gesticulation and his
coagulating radius of the deepest thoughts, putting his soul in
the palm of the reader.
If I were to put Dr. Ashok Chakravarthy Tholana somewhere, it
would certainly be under the sign of humanity. The
distinguished poet has an exceptional vocation to open the
unknown windows of the soul with the privilege of his authentic
talent, with his fabulous poetic vocation and with the gift of the
pregnant and naturally spoken verse. His poems, wrapped in the
velvet of the metaphor, denote higher levels of wisdom,
sensitivity, depth, awareness and love for others people, in
fascinating lyrical clippings.
This volume of poetry, Horizon of Poetic Twinkles is distinguished
by wisdom, greatness, nobility, thus mirroring the beauty of the
author's eternally thirsty spirit. Living in all seasons of life, the
poet swings through the broad spectrum of life, managing to
extract from the word light and wisdom. The aesthetic value of
the poems of this volume is fabulous and sprinkled with an
enchanting lyricism.
Love for people and life is the perpetual expression of the
spiritual state the poet experiences intensely, with the grace of a
gentle tone, as exaltation. The poems are distinguished by
exuberance under the empire of love, peace, fraternity, integrity,
dignity and truth.
Indeed, this volume of poetry is a lyrical discourse with
overwhelming resonances of the soul of a remarkably poet,
which transmits emotion with his extraordinary ability to
plasticize the deep essences into a generous and sensitive poetic
language, turning every word into a real poetry.
Dr. Ashok Chakravarthy Tholana it frills, first of all, with the
ability to render to the word props surprising effects with a
polished style, to extract the essence of the word and to reveal
miracles by reconstituting an affective universe familiar with the
readers.

Corina Junghiatu
Chief Editor – VoceaLiterară, Romania
Zone Head – Motivational Strips
Director – World Literature Academy