I am a Woman

By Dr Pravat Kumar Padhy

The Magic Pen Press, Suffolk, United Kingdom, 2023

A Melodic Ode to Womanhood​

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Vandana Parashar reviews 'I Am a Woman' by Dr Pravat Kumar Padhy

Pravat Kumar Padhy is a name to reckon with in the haikai world and his books are cherished additions to every haikai poet’s book collection. His recent book, “I Am a Woman”, a long sequence of poems in tanka form, is no different.

 

This collection of tanka serves as a melodic ode to womanhood, painting vivid portraits of love, resilience and the pursuit of identity amidst societal expectations.

 

The cover art by Shloka Shankar sets the perfect mood, and with his very first tanka, Pravat crafts a narrative that transcends time and borders and engulfs the reader in the shared happiness.

 

full moon day

fondly they name her Chandani

blossoms of blissfulness

swing all around

raining happiness in their life

 

With every tanka the reader gets more and more invested in the story of the little girl. Every parent can relate to the sentiments portrayed in the poems.

 

they wait

as she boards the school bus

eagerly watch

murmuring at each other

till the bird goes out of their sight

 

Within these pages, each poem acts as a prism, refracting the diverse hues of women's lives.

 

like a plant 

she is shifted to a new pot 

tries to share 

her aroma and warmth 

as a fresh flower in the new garden

 

slowly 

there is a change 

in the colour of the dialect 

things look half-ripe 

like unseasonal fruits in the cold storage

 

Pravat does not shy away from addressing the darker facets of women's experiences. From the scars left by abuse to the shadows of self-doubt, Pravat fearlessly delves into the depths of pain and vulnerability.

 

he compels 

her to breath in silence 

with all limitations 

like a prisoner of war  

bowing head to surrender

 

she stares 

at her glimmering eyes 

on the album pages 

wishes the time to rewind 

the pristine caress of her parents

 

abandoned…

for how long 

she shall wait 

under the barren sky 

for the river to flow again

 

Echoing the indomitable spirit of women who refuse to be confined by the limitations imposed upon them, each poem serves as a testament to the enduring strength found within the feminine soul.

 

the seed 

is thrown to the wind 

abandoned she feels 

as life slowly rejuvenates 

she gathers hope to breathe

 

Amidst the trials and tribulations depicted within these pages, there exists a palpable sense of hope—a rallying cry for empowerment and change. 

 

she desires to revise 

the pristine manuscript 

for her daughter 

as she reckons with a crescent smile 

‘I am a Woman’ to prove again

 

The book is structured in a way that mirrors the stages of a woman's life. It begins with poems reflecting the innocence and wonder of childhood and progresses into the challenges and accomplishments of adulthood. Each poem is a testament to the unique experiences that shape women, capturing the joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

 

This exceptional book encourages readers, regardless of gender, to reflect on the experiences of women and to gain a deeper understanding of their struggles and triumphs.

 

For women readers, the book is a reminder that they are not alone in their journey and that their experiences are shared by others. For male readers, it provides an opportunity to gain empathy and insight into the female perspective, fostering a greater appreciation for the women in their lives.

 

It is a must-read for anyone in search of a deeper understanding of the human experience. The book's eloquent and heartfelt poems will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page.