Big world of small poems

Hyderabad: Author K. Ramesh’s latest book From Pebble to Pebble is a collection of visual imagery, expressed in the vivid forms of Haiku and Tanka. The interesting title has a story to convey, says the author. “I was standing by a stream and looking down at the water. I saw pebbles dotting the riverbed and the fish swimming around. I saw the shadows of the fish moving on the pebbles. It was an interesting sight. So, I decided to call this book, From Pebble to Pebble,” he explains.

For Ramesh, what makes Haiku and Tanka truly special is the rich visual imagery. But that, he points out, can also be a challenge. “The tendency of the author is to directly write the feelings. This form is quite objective. So most authors write about the cause, and not the feeling, per se. Then, it is important to use simple words. It is also about looking at small and ordinary things in a different light. Composing a Haiku is an interesting process,” says this author whose earlier book of Haiku poetry, Soap Bubbles, published by Red Moon Press, Virginia, USA, was quite popular.

Largely, Haiku is inspired by nature. “Nature is my biggest inspiration. Also, what I see around me plays an important role. From Pebble to Pebble has three line poems using visual imagery,” he explains. Ramesh, who currently teaches at Pathashaala, a Krishnamurti Found-ation School located near Chengelpet, says that solitude is the key to his creative process. “I firmly believe in spending time alone. I go across the city on my bicycle or just go for long walks. It is a very important ritual for me as a writer,” he adds.

Ramesh’s poems have appeared in leading international journals such as Presence, Frogpond, The Heron’s Nest, Mainichi Daily Haiku, Mayfly, Acorn and others. He is quite happy with the rising popularity of the Japanese format in India. “There are many writers who are introducing Haiku to readers. There are also active Haiku clubs in India, which conduct regular meetings and workshops. Haiku and Tanka are now written in many Indian languages too, like Hindi, Tamil and Bengali. And, with the Internet, the popularity of Haiku and Tanka is only soaring,” he concludes.