1. What motivated you to write “The Vast Empty,” and how did you explore the themes of introspection and spirituality in your poetry?
I do believe that all poetry is an expression of inner exploration and external observation. Unlike a story or a novel that can be constructed, poetry happens naturally.
The poem writes itself through you in moments of stillness. When the mind is still and there is a sense of oneness with everything, and when you travel within yourself and start to make sense of things, when you ask yourself the right questions, there is a subtle shift. In that moment is usually when the poem appears. This is how I wrote.
2. How does the name Turiya relate to your poetry, and why did you choose it as your pseudonym?
Turiya has its roots in Vedantic philosophy. It’s the fourth state l, or the ultimate consciousness. The name felt right for the poems. So did the title. So I went with it.
3. Can you share any specific poems from the collection that hold personal significance to you? What is the story behind them?
I am inspired by nature and can spend any amount of time walking in nature. The poem “Full Circle” came to me on a day spent walking. I went for a walk at 4 am , then again at 10 am, then in the afternoon, in the evening and at night. I don’t listen to music or chat when I walk. I just walk. Each of these day parts had a different feel to it and I tried to imagine them as humans with personality traits, and at night the poem just came together…. It’s the longest poem, one of the earliest and for me it marked a turning point in my own journey as a poet.
4. In “The Vast Empty,” you touch upon universal themes such as love, loss, and the human condition. How do you believe poetry helps individuals navigate these aspects of life?
Poetry is often startling because it beckons you and immerses you in its words. It makes you pause and ponder over many aspects, and often times you stumble upon your own answers in these works. That’s the “a-ha” moment! You find yourself and your thoughts articulated by someone else. The fact that your questions are more universal than you had imagined, and that in the end almost everyone is connected through the same dilemma and journey can be a delightful discovery or a comforting thought.
5. Can you discuss any specific experiences or moments in your life that have profoundly influenced your approach to writing poetry?
Moments spent being in the moment , being aware, observing – these have influenced my writing. When a poem presented itself and I was too busy with pay attention to it, that’s when the moment was lost and so was the poem. I have learnt more by losing than finding.
I also want to make poetry more accessible to people by keeping it simple and joyful. There is suffering in the world and also deep beauty. I like to focus on the beauty of the human condition.
6. As an author rooted in India, how do you incorporate elements of Indian culture and spirituality into your poetry, and what do these aspects mean to you personally?
I don’t think I have consciously tried to incorporate any specific element of Indian culture or spirituality. All I can say is that I am influenced by eastern philosophy because that’s what I have spent time on. Ultimately all human journeys lead to the same destination.
7. Lastly, what upcoming projects or future plans do you have in store for your writing career?
I have another book of poems in the making. Somewhere down the line is a novel too which is waiting to get written
8. Let’s play a rapid-fire round.
• Music or Silence while writing?
Silence
• One writing habit you couldn’t live without? – Surrounding myself with stationery that I don’t use but collect. In a strange way, it helps me write.
• Favorite word to use in poetry? – Eternity
• Biggest inspiration outside of writing? – Nature
• One word to describe your writing style? – Natural
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