INTRODUCTION

Considering the almost universal loss of interest • in poetry in this age of scientific progress, the growing demand for Indian Verse in English, in India, appears as a somewhat unusual phenomenon. Bm there are many intrinsic and social reasons to account for the growing popularity of Indian poetry in English.

After the independence, especially during the fifties, the situation has completely changed with the promotion of Hindi as the prime official language and the demotion of English to the associate status in India. This grave situation is one of the main reasons-that has brought the Indian poets in English close to one another, rededicate their faith in English as a language that could play a creative role in Indian literature and to produce poetry in no way inferior to or less Indian in content than that being written in the other Indian languages. In the seventies things have changed. Indian Poetry in English has been accepted and is being critically examined by an increasing number of both Indian and foreign scholars It is being taught in almost all the Universities in India, and at an increasing number of Universities the world over. This may be attributed as one of the main reasons for its growing popularity at home and for its increasing interest all over the world.

This anthology contains poems by poets of the fifties like Nissim Ezekiel, P. Lai, V. K. Gokak and Krishna Srinivas who have become the leading lumi­naries of our time. Poets of the early sixties like Kamala Das, A, K. Ramanujan, R. Parthasarathy and Monika Varma who have made a mark in shaping and giving a new individualistic form and style to our growing — Indian poetry in English and poets of the later sixties like Pritish Nandy, Jayanta Mahapatra, Shiv K. Kumar, Keki N. Daruwalla, Gauri Desh-pande and Rabindranath Menon who have taken the banner of Indian Poetry in English a step further-installed it on a firmer base. The early seventies have produced a bumper crop. A brilliant galaxy of new and young talents has emerged with greater confidence and new hope. Those who have done yoeman service with a greater zeal in popularising the new and exciting frontiers of Indian Poetry, in English are— Syed Ameeruddin, Subhas C. Saha, Suga, Aripirala Viswam, Pranab, I. K. Sharma, Bejan Daruwalla, Mukund R. Dave, Baldev Mirza, Anna S ujatha Modayil and Rohini Gupta.

There is a wide variety in this anthology. I have included the works of poets—belonging to the 50's 60*s aud 70's who are still actively engaged in making this movement grow and bear fruits. Selec-tion of poems is a diffiuclt task.

I have selected the poems in this anthology. With a view to demonstrating the richness and univer­sality and above all the great diversity and range of themes in the Indian Poetry in English today.

The main purpose of bringing out this anthology is to fulfil the long felt need of having a complete, uptodate and all comprehensive anthology, which could project objectively the detailed panoramic view of Contemporary Indian Verse in English. Moreover it attempts to reveal the originality of the poets and their sincere striving to press their own individuality and cultural identity, the basic 'Indianness'

So far, a number of anthologies have been pub­lished. But no anthology is complete or fair in its representation. Some are too narrow in scope, some too lavish in perspective, some have become outdated and some have been restricted to a select few. There* fore, my humble endeavour here is to present a most comprehensive and representative anthology of our time. This is so far the first of its kind in India, in the sense, leading poets in English from all the regions of this great country are represented. This has been particularly designed to serve as an up-to-date and authentic textbook as well as reference book to poetry lovers, scholars, and students of Indian Writing in English all over the world. Finally this anthology aims to give a vivid account of the tradition, growth, achievement—and historical perspective of the Contemporary Indian Verse in English.

I am highly indebted to poets who are included in this anthology for their valuable contribution and enthusiastic co-operation.

I am also grateful to P. Lai, V. K. Gokak, Krishna Srinivas, Pritish Nandy and Pranab Bandyo-pathyay for their valuable suggestions in bringing out this anthology.

In conclusion, I would like to quote Pritish Nandy— The stage seems now set for some excite­ment in the seventies. More experimental work is being done* more young poets joining the fray and despite the claims of the language chauvinists, the interest in Indian Writing in English is certainly increasing. Things have changed over the last two decades. Much better poetry is being written today than ever before.' I wholeheartedly endorse the statement of Pritish Nandy and endeavour sincerely to present in this anthology the most exci­ting and the best poetry that is being written today.

— SYED AMEERUDDIN

( Book Description - INDIAN VERSE IN ENGLISH - Published by  POETS PRESS INDIA - Chennai - 41 Poet's Poetry Collection in 145 pages )

Editor's note

From time immemorial poetry has been striving to provide solace, psace, amusement and enduring pleasure to mankind. Primarily poetry imitates life and communicates this imitation to its reader.

Poet alone can influence the minds and hearts of masses and can help in changing their attitudes, views and beliefs. A good poet must bring about a permanent change in the minds of readers. Only poets with real concern and dedication to their art and genuine involvement in their contemporary, social and spiritual situation alone can reach the hearts of their readers.

Indian poetry is no more an infant, struggling to stand on its own legs. Now Indian poetry in English is a tradition and has established a significant place in the vast body of World Literature. Within a short span of three decades, we have already produced a group of talented poets who have achieved world esteem by their creative insight and artistic expression.

Nevertheless Indian Poetry in English must maintain its individuality and uniqueness. Our poets should strive to delve deep into the rich Indian ethos and bring out the timeless tradition and culture, imbedded from ages, without ignoring contemporary relevance of such ' Indianness '•

Indian Poetry in English must evolve evocative imagery which is our own. It must be based on our cultural aesthetics. Our poets must create images which express vividly the Indian moods, patterns, attitudes and traditions and this alone gives viability, individuality and universality. Indian poets must come out of their infatuation of the western influence and put across their own culture, tradition and hfetory.

Five years ago, I edited an anthology Indian Verse In English', hailed by the press and scholars as the most comprehensive and representative anthology of our time. Leading contemporary poets in English from all the regions of India were repre­sented. Since then young and promising poets with flashes of their own asked for an anthology to encourage the budding and unknown talents. Hence this anthology to vehicle creative explosions from new frontiers.

Sixty six poets writing in English are carefully selected, representing all regions of our great country. This is just an experiment. I feel sure this anthology has a significant appeal in view of the documentary value of the thought, spirit and attitude of the 'New Voices'. It also endeavours to project a very comprehensive and representative panorama of the tradition, growth, achievement and historical perspective of the new generation.

I am grateful to Dr. Krishna Srinivas for his scholarly introduction.

I also thank all the poets in this collection for their variegated verses.

I am sure, these 'New Voices' will be heard and appreciated by poets and critics all over the world.

SYED AMEERUDDIN

( Book Description - NEW VOICES - in Indian Poetry in English - Sayeeda Publication - Chennai - India - in 1981 - 66  World Poet's Poetry Collcetion in 135 Pages )

Editor's note

The poet has a two fold nature, as man and as artist. Poetry comes from a mysterious inner compulsion and a fully conscious technical discipline: it is a process in which both living and language mingle, meaning and method marry, visions and revisions play their parts. From time immemorial, poetry has been striving to provide solace, peace, amusement and enduring pleasure to mankind. Primarily poetry imitates life and communicates this imitation to its reader.

Today poetry in general is complex, because there is ravenous complexity all round. Poets do not write for themselves, or a select audience or a particular country. Their audience is the entire world.

In July 1981, I visited U.S.A. to attend 'the 5th World congress of Poets in San Francisco. I met several poets of international repute from various countries who expressed their desire for a very comprehensive and representative anthology of contemporary world poetry.   Hence this anthology.

The treasures inside are the shimmering glimpses of world poetry that is being written toddy, characterized by diversity, universality, and strife. Not every poem in this anthology is a jewel in the literary sense, but each one, verbal emerald as well as verbal opal has its intrinsic quality and character. Together they represent a cultural and Poetic Treasury.

73 poets, writing in English, are carefully selected, representing all regions of the world. This is just an experiment. I feel sure this anthology has a significant appeal in view of the documentary value of the thought, spirit and attitude of the "Voices International". It also endeavours to project a very representative panorama of the tradition, growth, achievement and historical perspective of the contemporary literary world.

I am grateful to Dr. Krishna Srinivas for his scholarly "Introduction".

I also thank the poets in this unique anthology for their variegated verses.

I am sure these "Vioces International'' will be heard, appreciated and preserved by poets, critics, and institutions of higher learning all over the world.

SYED AMEERUDDIN

 Madras - 30-6-82

( Book Description - VOICES INTERNATIONAL - An Anthology of World Poetry - Published by - Sayeeda Publication - Chennai - in 1982 -  72 World Poet's Poetry Collection in 184 Pages )

Krishna Srinivas

PREFACE

Associated as I am with Krishna for the past thirty years, I feel I atone can make an outstanding indepth study of his unique poetry and offer an assessment that will guide University students, research­ing on his Poetry for their doctoral theses.

From a humble post of a bank clerk, Krishna has reached a peak adding new dimensions to his achievements at every step he takes.

Along his votaries in parnassian world are - Richard Eberhart, Panos D. Bardis, Knaring Boyadjian from USA: Virginia Rhodas from Latin America: Auden, Spender, Thurkey and Stella Browning, B.Vitsaxis Padron from Europe; Senghor form Africa; Cho, Chung, Ikeda from Asia; J.B. Cripps from Australia and thirty thousand eminent poets from the Six continents.

What is the saga of his success? Yes, I have written the poet's progress to our present day, highlighting his epics.

Very few poets have acquired such unexcelled excellences that have made Krishna stand in the forefront of glory. His poetical works will be a legacy to future generations.

SYED AMEERUDIN

1st September 1995

( Book Description : KRISHNA SRINIVAS - Published by - World Poetry Society - Chennai - 13 Poem in 94 Pages )

POET - MARCH -1980

SYED AMEERUDDIN'S POETRY

Sri Aurobindo visioned 'future poetry' as mystical and meaningful. To Sarojini Naidu poetry is orches­tration of senses. But poets of Seventies act as a bridge between tradition and dream worlds of surr­ealism. They hear dark voices silent to others. Their lyrics sweep into the sun. Passion and vehemence leap in waves of rhetoric, twistings of the phrases, paradoxes and ingenuities. They are poems of reality— not realism : of sentiment—not sentimentality. Their restraint of emotions is often judged as cold, abstract, intellectual—often very difficult. These poets speak in images.

There are frequent dialogues between poet and the world. The poet is caught up in something that infinitely surpasses him. There is an awareness of the presence of things in space and the present moment in time. Past and future are ideas: only the present is real.

Jorge Guillen's 'Beyond' is an excellent exposi­tion of this precept ;

"All things,ihe millennial

Sum of our being, packed

Into the web of a minute

Eternally here, and my own.

As over the instant

That ranges in ceaseless succession

I pass through eternity's tension

To salvage the present.

The blood races on ; it flows

With a fatal avidity.

A destiny blindly assembles. Itself:  I will that I be.

To be—only that !   It suffices

For pure delectation !

Thus, in a kinship of silence

To be one with the essences !"

The whole of Ameeruddin's poems is an ascen­sion towards love. The poet attains through love the fullness of reality. Love yields him its greatest treasure. The act of love surges and resurges. He traces the passionate multi-facet^ of love and presents in very evocative way the process and evolution of love from the ideal and platonic to the pragmatic and surrealistic trends of our time :

"Gypsy river runs through my bones.

This road where you and I stand

Leads back to a barren land

We have left far behind......

Let us part,

I must wander.

Do not follow me.

Let the love

      in your oyes

      blossom

      into secret

      constellations."

Ameeruddin is a realist of the senses. The two realities, the earth and the soul, are firm in his own. The winding galleries of his mind unfurl strange tunes. There is verbal magic in his verses Green echoes haunt him like a passion. He feels poetry like fire in his hands. He replaces rpeanings by sugges­tions. Unsuspected impulses and unfathomable fears throb and explode.

Nature to him is a merciless genetic force which transmits to its creatures its own frenzied fury. Man-nature's favorite offering—mirrors its riotous cruelty. Love is stripped of its sentimental wrappings and reduced to the starkness of its violent rapture.

Like Lorca, Ameeruddin hungers for static inward illumination:

"Love is awakened in the greyness

                  of its rhythm.

Our interior sky

                  contains a triumph of blood.

But all our optimism

                  turns to sorrow.

To contemplate

                 the dead drops on the glass

And these drops

                 are eyes of the infinite; gazing

Back into the white infinity

                which is their parent.

Each drop of water

               trembles on the dim glass

Leaving divine

               wounds of diamond.

They are poets of water

               who have seen and meditate

Things which the vast crowds

              of rivers ignore."

                                                                                              (Lofca in 'Ltuvia')

There is sheer imagistic delicacy as in "Remini­scences :"

"we sit together

holding each pulsating rhythm

in cascaded heart

and eloquent in dumb deeds

we felt the creep

                of velvety longings

and eternity captured

in mute mellow mystic night."

and as in "Love Strings:"

"Yet another night

I gazed and gazed

on your rippling smiles

and diving through

your spectroscopic eyes

saw the hidden spectrum

of soul's solace

in the dewy dusk in you/'

Ameeruddin is restless of the waltzing civilisation. He lays bare the agony in the inner recesses of his soul. His poetry is lyrical and subjective: has the stamp of his unique personality — a slenderness, a nervous subtlety which makes him the finest and the most sensitive of our contemporary poets In his "A Warning/' he cries:

What happened

               to that stupendous glory of man?

The ancient Nile...

                 and Mahenjadaro...

The great Greeks...

                 and the Roman grandeur...

To what disastrous doom

                 they were destined,        

Is a monumental reminder

To the every soaring

And all bewildering

               civilisation of Today...

                of its frightful fate

                and its

                Dreadful Doom To Come..."

Here is a poem fit to adorn the airports of all warring nations.

Will humans pause and listen ?

Future is ephemeral, a mirage, a wheel coming to a circle.

KRISHNA SRINIVAS

1—2—1980

( Book Description - POET - An International Monthly - Published by - KITHABISTHAN - Book publishers -Allahabad - India - A special number on Prof.Syed Ameeruddin & Sarojini Naidu - in 65 Pages )

POET - July 1974

EDITORIAL

At Taipei, Republic of China, hundreds of Poets, ajttending the Second World Congress of Poets, ex­pressed to Dr. Krishna Srinivas their desire to translate into their languages all that is best in • Indo-Anglian poetry. As such this Number, carry­ing the best poems of India's most outstanding poets.

Poetry comes from a two fold source—a mys­terious inner compulsion and fully conscious techni­cal discipline. It is a process in which both meaning and method marry, and in which both vision and revision play their parts. Like every living crea­ture, the poet acts and re-acts to experience. He tries to translate the buzzing confusion that sur­rounds him, from birth to death ; he tries to inter­pret his particular pains and pleasures, to appease his private fears and hungers, to give form and meaning to the more permanent and perplexing facts of life. Yet, his essential function as an artist is to communicate—to communicate sharper states of awareness, to break down barriers and build bridges between his fellowmen.

This Number is released at 2nd All India Poets Meet on 7th, 8th, and 9th June 1974 at Rajaji Hall, Madras where more than one hundred outstanding Indian Poets read their poems and discuss on Poetry India. Is there any better example of National Integration and Human Understanding in general worth emulating than this—in these days of restlessaess, anarchy, chaos and disunity ?

Prof. SYED AMEERUDDIN

( Book Description - POET - An international Monthly  July 1974 - Published by - World Poetry Society  - Channai - in 60 Pages )

POET - An International Monthly - SEPT 1973

FOREWORD

Poetry has a revealing power. It opens our eyes to sensuous beauties and spiritual meanings.

As guest-editor, I have tried to make this Number a true representative of Indo-Anglian poetry. You will find each poem an outstanding one.

This anthology-first in the series of the monumental publication: "GREAT INDIAN WORLD POETS'- is released at the All India Poets Meet, convened for the first time in our country at Kavita Hotel on 16th and 17th June 1973.

The author of this historic Meet is Dr. Krishna Srinivas. Hon. Amado M. Yuzon of Philippines proclaiming Dr. Krishna Srinivas as POET LAUREATE LEADER has crowned him with Golden Laurel Wreath.

Dr. Mabelle A Lyon of U.S.A. writes thus: "KRISHNA has been entertained, publicized, and read his poems across the country over Radio and TV. stations, in Colleges, Unversities, Pen Women Conventions, national poetry groups and many other places .The young people all crowd around him and he is just great with them''.

Helen Shaw of New Zealand says: The spark in KRISHNA has travelled out to poets in New York, Ghana, Israel, Australia, USSR, Latin, America, Europe, Asia. He is a lamp in their midst. His message is illumination through poetry."

Poets in this inaugural anthology are really very fortunate to gain international audience.

Prof. SYED AMEERUDD1N

( Description of Book - POET - An International Monthly - Sept 1973 - Published by  World Poetry Society - Chennai - in 70 Pages )

Dear Poet,

Down the Ages, POETRY has gripped the imagination of Humanity and Poets with vision and dynamism rule the minds of Millions.

From homer to Virgil, from Dante to Shakespeare, from Goethe to Eliot, these dazzling chains of fire have blossomed immortal Epics that stay ever green in our minds.

Associational imagery, Confessional pouring defying analysis, Surrealistic experimentations - all these are hallmarks of modern Parnassus. And Poet to achieve prominence must give his BEST and stay remembered.

Our Academy rs started to bring all World Poets into one clan-their sole Motto being Universal Brotherhood and Peace and one World in the field of Creativity and all New Voices heard in all the Six Continents in the pages of our Periodical INTERNATIONAL POETRY.

The Academy also will have the unique distinction of patronising, honouring, publicising critically highlighting - and striving for - universal status - to all the deserving Poets of International eminence.

Further, the Academy proposes to organise International Seminars and Symposiums on world poetry. It also proposes to institute a best Poet award annually - through an evaluation by a panel of judges selected fron^all over the world. It also recommends delegates for International Seminars and deputes poets on International exchange basis for poetry reading tours. It also publishes - monographs and books of individual poets under our International Eminent Poets Series.

Hurry up ! And join the galaxy of world elite - in the contemporary field of world peotry soon - as a FELLOW OF THE ACADEMY. Your poetry will be carried to shores afar and claims beyond. For more details write to the undersigned.

Prof. SYED AMEERUDDIN

Founder - President

Where Bards of East & West mass Orphic Arms of Peace in Poetry