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Creation and Criticism

ISSN: 2455-9687  

(A Quarterly International Peer-reviewed Refereed e-Journal

Devoted to English Language and Literature)

Vol. 03, Joint Issue 10 & 11 : July-Oct 2018

For You to Decide by C.L. Khatri


Khatri, C. L. For You To Decide. Authorspress: New Delhi, 2016. Pp.82. Price: Rs 150/-. ISBN: 978-9352074068


  

Reviewed by Shamenaz Bano

 

C. L. Khatri is a senior Professor in the field of English Literature, Hailing from Bihar. Currently he is teaching in Department of English, T. P. S. College, Patna. For You To Decide (2016) is his fifth poetry anthology of the bilingual poet after Kargil (2000), Ripples in the Lake (2006), Two-Minutes Silence (2014), Goolar Ka Phool (Hindi: 2011). He is a prolific writer and has published 20 books of literary criticism. He has won Michael Madhusudan Academy Award for his poetry anthology Kargil due to its sensitive issue of Kargil war and its impact on people and the families of soldiers.

 

For You To Decide is a collection of 51, which he has dedicated to his father. The poems in the anthology are on myriad themes of vital importance in the contemporary scenario. The very first poem, ‘Mask’ is symbolic in nature, as the lines from the poem indicate: "I was tired of wearing you/changing you as I had changed clothes/for different days and ways." It seems that poet is talking about failed relationship. In his next poem, ‘Flames Within’ he is comparing himself with a candle giving it a metaphysical touch. He has dedicated his poem, ‘Mission Mars’ on India’s achievement in Science by the successful launch of MOM comparing it with Mother due to its typical name of ‘mom’. As he says in the following lines:"Every mom and mom’s son are/rejoicing at MOM’s success/I am not blasphemous/I congratulate all ISRO, VSRO, NASA, VASA." By writing this poem, he has celebrated the success of Indian science & technology giving a message to the world that we are lagging behind in Science.

 

The poem, ‘Unresolved Sensations’ is mystical in tone and ‘Love’, ‘Genesis’, ‘Muse’, ‘Waiting For a Vishnu’ are mythical poems. Some poems are in a form of dreams; Sometimes I Dream, Suck My Sap, I Kissed a Fish, Hundaroo Waterfall. Being a sensitive person, he is conscious of various issue relating India and world and has expressed his concern in poems like, ‘Deluge of Development’, ‘Statistics of Suicide’, ‘Writing a New Ramayana’, ‘Drama of Death’. While he has taken up the issue of farmer’s suicides in some states of India like Chhatisgarh, Odisha and Bihar. As he says: "Had it been so” one countered, “Chhatisgarh, Odisha, Bihar would have outnumbered the South in statistics of suicide."

 

In ‘Deluge of Development’ he talks about various developments taking place in the world and their impact on this world. ‘Writing a New Ramayana’ and ‘Drama of Death’ is on Akhlaq issue. He has dedicated poem, ‘Statue of Liberty’ to America and ‘We Cherish What We Inherit’ is about one’s love for his history. Poet has firm belief in God which can be seen in poem, ‘I Have God’ and in ‘Religion’ he has shown respect for all religions. In the end adding more colours to the anthology he has written some Haiku poems which are very popular in the contemporary scenario. The Poet has used many metaphors like, “clothes”, “wardrobe”, “masks”, “candles”, “horse”, “springboard”, “white beard”, “static magistrate”, “polling booth”, “mechanical tool”, “Swati bird”, “Brandie”, “shadow”, “river”, “smog”, “sandwich”, “squeezed mango”, “shawl”, “balm”, “boat”, “flag” and some others defining various feelings and themes and exhibiting his poetic skills. 

 

Khatri is considered as a careful craftsman by critics who sometimes depict philosophical musings on life and another time he sketches satirically contemporary India. In his verses he has exhibited his love for his land, people and culture. His poems reflect his attitude towards humanity as he considers entire universe as his home. He has touched various issues of everyday concern beginning from personal to national, from physical to metaphysical meanderings.

 


 

shamenaz-banoAbout the Reviewer:

 

Dr Shamenaz Sheikh is the Author, Co-author and Editor of 10 books: 'A Visit to the Ruins of Vijaynagar Empire at Hampi', 'Women Poets: Within & Beyond Shores Volume I', Volume II' & Volume III, 'Verses on Racism, Resistance and Refugee Crisis', 'Gender Studies: Fragmentation and Formation', 'Trends, Issues & Implications in Asian Women Writings', 'Shades of Life', 'The Celebration of Our Voice' and 'Feeling For You'. She is currently teaching in Rajarshi Tandon Mahila Mahavidhyalaya and has taught English Literature & Language in S. S. Khanna Girls' Degree College, Ewing Christian College, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, U.P. Dr. Shamenaz's Blogs are: www.shamenaz.wordpress.com, www.drshamenaz.blogspot.in and www.shamenazsheikh.blogspot.in.             


 

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