Flowing… in the River of Life (Poems)

“Flowing… in the River of Life is a collection of 60 poems borne from my belief in the oneness of the universe and interconnectedness of life on earth” is how the exceptionally eloquent and reflective poet Avantika Vijay Singh introduces her stunning collection of poetry. Adorned with a foreword and afterword par excellence by master wordsmiths and award-winning writers Dr. Santosh Bakaya and Alistair Towesland Allen respectively, the book is a definite delight to the senses. I heartily concur with Alistair TSE Allen and Santosh Bakaya's immaculate judgement that the book is "an eclectic, creative romp that leaves the reader with a satiated intellectual and enchanted emotional palette" (Alistair Allen) and that "the poems urge one to look inwards, let go of our mammoth egos and emerge rejuvenated" (Dr. Bakaya). In fact, it is quite impossible to top a description of the book as well as Dr. Santosh Bakaya does in her foreword in which she says "The poetic specks in the elegant book are packed with wisdom, in four sections, nudging one to introspect, meditate, and rise above narcissism and self-aggrandizement, leaving the readers with gold dust on their fingers".In this spectacular collection of lyrical and evocative explorations of the poet’s experiences, observations, and emotions, the poet begins by paying touching tributes to her parents (“Many a tempest you have absorbed, to let the house sleep peacefully. Many a rain you have channelled into the barren ground for it to flower! Many a scorching summer you have borne, to serve soothing shelter in your shade!” from “The Tree of Grace”), her family and their homes (“Through the stained-glass windows, the sunbeams dance in hues of delight. As they sweep into each room with its own stories to write. And in the rooms at twilight, you can catch the motes of starlight, playing across the mists of time to memories that take flight” from “The House of my Ancestors”), then intricately delves into the themes of universe and nature (“Mother earth, your rivers chuckle with mirth as they flow abundant from your unbound hair. (…) Silver and purple is the mountain mist cherishing your countenance that none can resist. Your diamantine crown of snowy spirals sparkles in the sun, soft are the stories in gold you spun” from “Mother Earth”) and the temerarious destruction of nature (“Is this the price we pay for progress? Barren hills! Impoverished lands! A bereft culture! A legacy lost!” from “Age of Change”), of ecofeminism (“A rock flower is she, delicate, resilient and sprite, blooming in the face of adversity, on the harsh, grey might that rise steeply in grandiosity, and command attention in the harsh light for their masculine beauty” from “A Rock Flower is She”), of the interconnectivity between all beings living and non-living (“one can look into the soul of everything” as she quite rightly states), and of the agonizing pain of losing loved ones (“You were amongst the brightest stars on earth really, doing all things so nobly, perhaps that’s why the heavens called you so early, to light them ablaze similarly” from “In Remembrance”) - all with immense lyrical grace and profound emotional depth. The poet draws from her personal experiences, cultural heritage, societal low-downs, and environmental awareness to craft poems that are both intimate and universal, poignant and hopeful. She celebrates the bonds of family, mourns the loss of loved ones, and calls for a more harmonious and sustainable relationship with the natural world. The poems are rich in imagery, metaphor, and musicality, and invite the reader to reflect on their own lives and values. The poems are both personal and political, intimate and expansive, raw and refined. The poet demonstrates a remarkable command of language and creativity, making this poetry book a treat to read and savour.Moreover, what fascinated me was the poet’s passionate and inspiring call for unity and oneness, to be connected and be in harmony with nature, with life, and with one another – something I know she stands by as a person as well. She uses powerful and emotive language creating poems that are uplifting, for instance in the lines:“And so is life!We grow,We flow!We merge,We emerge”(from the poem “Sangam”)“Come sisters and brothers,In golden sunshine let’s live with the others.A chance to live, a chance to love.A chance to fly free in the sky above!”(from the poem “Prayers of a Heron”)“Swimming in the ocean,Of universal consciousness,We are each a light,Sparkling, luminous, and bright,Reflecting the divine light”(from the poem “Swimming in the Ocean”)“In those lapping waves I find magicAnd to them I am drawnTill I am one with themDancing upon them to the rhythm of the ocean breeze.”(from the poem “Rhythm of the Universe”)Every poem in this compilation is a gem, every poem will strike a chord with the reader. However, if I must choose two favourites, they would be “From a Soldier’s Daughter” which is a heartfelt homage from a proud daughter to her beloved soldier father, the beauty and purity of which moved me to tears, and the poem “Ode to a Butterfly” in which the keen observations of the remarkably recorded transformation “From a selfless sating of the self, to a tremendous generosity to mankind and God’s creation” just blew my mind away! This is however not to take away from any and every other brilliantly written poem in this book.One mustn’t forget to mention the beautiful cover intelligently designed by Sujeet Shyam of Acira Media which arrests one’s attention due to its classy soberness that aptly captures the essence of the blacks, whites, and greys that life flows us through. The cover does justice to the refined and sophisticated, layered and nuanced poems inside the book, which require careful and attentive reading, as they focus on the true essence and core reality of things.Avantika says in the book that she identifies herself and all beings as "those little lamps in time, afloat in the river of life" (from the poem “Ganga Arti”) and a lamp she indeed is, not little though, but glowing a lot more resplendently than most others in said river. Although she describes herself as a "whimsical and absent-minded writer", the depth of her words and poetry most certainly divulges otherwise. As acclaimed writer Dr. Ampat Koshy very rightly summarises in his illuminating blurb of the book, Avantika is "a very stylish poet whose mastery of English is pleasing to the ears and to read, as it makes each of her poems a treat. She is no ordinary writer, and her poetry grips you with its ability to move you".Indeed, this is a poetry book that will touch your heart, captivate your senses, stir your emotions, challenge your mind, and inspire your actions. I wish Avantika continues to share her powerful and unique voice with the world and eagerly look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

Finally, I got to read your book Avantika!And I have to admit that it is one of the very best books I’ve read so far.Loved all your poems, each part and section of the book is extremely enriching and inspiring.Especially the one about home “The Essence of Home”, it is my absolute favorite. It is heartwarming and captivating. I was so much immersed in the moment and felt a sense of tranquility and peace washed over me as I was reading your book.I consider myself truly blessed to have you as a friend and I am so proud of you 👍 👏👏

I took dip in “ Flowing in the river of life” After reading this poem “Ganga Aarti” I was mesmerised by the words of peom because the words brought the image in front of me. I felt tranquiled and calm with the positive vibrations that poet Avantika Singh wrote. I felt that I was in front of river Ganga myself and particularly liked these lines “ we are like those little lamps in time “ A float in the river of life let us then burn bright, And spill as much as light. Before the wind blows us out “.poet use metaphor by using little lamps with our life’s and we should burn bright till we die.

*A plethora of emotions and memories*Reading each section of the book I went through a plethora of emotions. Exhilaration in the eulogy to the soldier father and charismatic mother. Joyful memories in vivid painting of the ancestral house, essence of home and visiting my land. Deep connection with mother nature so beautifully put in Kosmos. Extreme sadness in the floodgates to heaven.Thank you for such beautiful work my dear. I loved it. Wish you the very best from the bottom of my heart.Captain Jitender Singh Kanwar

Avantika is a magician with words ; her poems transport us in wonderland where we are enchanted under her spell. At such a young age , her thoughts are so mature. In “sangam” how remarkably, she portrays , “reality of the universe ! “ All that grows , flows continues to merge , not to submerge instead merging leads to emerging and she concludes about life !We grew , we flew ! We merge, we emerge and “ A wave in the ocean “ so too our life , “ our purpose” so beautifully depicted to be a contributor to humanity. The “ swimming in the ocean” realising the universal consciousness, let go ego , embracing the oneness , awareness “ in gentle peace with brethren flow “, These are few of her poems I’ve read and still look forward for more.Good bless her.Neera VP Bhalla

“Flowing in the River of Life" by Avantika Vijay Singh is a poetic gem that invites readers to embark on a profound journey through the twists and turns of existence. In this beautifully crafted poetry collection, words flow like a serene river, carrying readers along with each poem, immersing them in the depths of human experience.My personal favourite is “The Essence of Home” took me into my memory lane, relived the moments spent there with the heartwarming sense of nostalgia.

This poetic gem authored by Avantika Vijay Singh is a true delight to read even for a non-poetic person like me. The nuances of life are beautifully depicted throughout the book. The poems traverse through the barrier of time and space and takes you on a journey called life. I hope everyone enjoys the book as much as I did.

Every poem has a beautiful story behind it. The poet Avantika Singh has strung it beautifully through the verses. The words flow like a gentle river, creating an immersive experience for the reader. It is a poetic gem that deserves to be on every book shelf. The poets ability to tap into real human experiences is truly commendable.