Explore the Infinite by Mandira Ghosh

Modern Indian Poetry by women poets isn’t just about feminism. We all agree that women have suffered for centuries and now have a voice to revolt openly but as their educational capabilities have expanded beyond patriarchy they are also writing on travel,  adventure,  science,  fine arts and politics. But I should not have conflict with men who laid the railway track through my native village.
I have written on Benares,  Poetry and Science Opposites meet,  Combating War by Art and Poetry   my dear friend Rachna Joshi has written on travel tapestry,  Usha Mujoo Munshi has  written on Situation in Kashmir,  Mayura Tiwari has written on many themes,  Neelam Saxena Chandra has written on Brussels, Tanuka Endow has written on Time, Sukrita  Paul Kumar has penned on The Chinese Cemetery and above all J. Bhagyalakshmi has written on Let there be Peace All Around. Similarly several women poets have taken up several different subjects, issues and written wonderful poetry and not just on troubles the women face because of men.

Racha Joshi writes in Celestial Nights

At Edfu, on a ride
through the old city
we go to Horus temple
see the falcon headed Sphinx
and the shrine of God.

Here her fleeting mind goes to Egypt and her secular self watches Horus temple.

I too have no grudge with men, as there are several situations when I was encouraged by men. I write though on women of the Hills, women of desert, women near the river. But i have also written in Cosmic Tour,

I cosmic dust
Miniscule life
in a gigantic universe

Also on Prakriti and Purusha on feminine and masculine genders.

Swami Vivekananda who was a great advocate of women’s independence and education, mentioned   ” A Bird of humanity can’t fly with one wing.”

Lets respect men and women both as humanity needs two wings to fly. Whenever protest is needed we will but will also acknowledge the bridge across the river which has been made by a male labour’s hands.

To quote J. Bhagya Lakshmi who says no to suffering and violence, no to battles and conflicts, and no to Hiroshima and Nagasaki  and writes against Terrorism. I write art and poetry that can combat war, like through  works of Picasso and Salvador Dali.

My objection is with crying women. Let you explore many dimensions of life and be fearless to combat negativity. All of us are not paragons of virtue, this implies for both men and women.
Women be fearless and express your identity in verses eloquently. And you are doing it.

Mandira Ghosh
Secretary and treasurer
The poetry society India