The newest contemporary sensation in the world of poetry, Mamta, writing under the pen name Turiya, is deeply influenced by eastern philosophy and mysticism and draws inspiration from the likes of nature and Rainer Maria Rilke. While the aforementioned combination may not be typical, it certainly is intriguing and this has also been the common feedback received for her debut collection of novel poetry- The Vast Empty.
Let’s dive into a conversation with Turiya and her Publishing Manager from The Write Order about her journey of penning down words that have transcended boundaries.
Turiya is dressed in a white button-down and smiles gracefully, brimming with excitement to begin. Her easy-going smile is as inviting as her poems are.
TWO: First of all congratulations on your newest book, The Vast Empty. Has this book been what you thought it would be?
Turiya: Well, I never expected it to get the response it did, that’s for sure. Especially with all the heartfelt messages that keep coming in. To be honest, I had thought I would be singular in its appreciation and so I dove into being a first-time writer, throwing caution to the wind and only sculpting this collection with words that matter most to me. I was pleasantly surprised when readers voiced their resonance with my words. So this book is already more than I thought it would be.
TWO: What’s your reasoning behind your chosen pen name?
Several of the poems explore a state of oneness and are written in a state of mind that can only be called inspired and elusive. Turiya is a state of being with One’s Self. As per Hindu philosophy, it is pure consciousness- the fourth state that underlies the other three. It is in that sense our spiritual essence. A lot of my poems explore this concept and it led me to inadvertently choose this as the identity that would be going with the name of my book.
TWO: Is there a specific event that inspired this telling or was this an out-of-the-blue idea?
My own experience is that poetry, unlike a novel, cannot be planned. If you are aware, and observant of life, and live in the moment, then you can feel poetry in your soul impatient to get out and spill itself into words.
TWO: What are your two cents for the yet-to-be authors out there?
You define your writing and story. No one can stop you but similarly, no one can make you start. So dear writers-to-be, your words matter. A simple ripple of your words can cause avalanches of feelings in someone else’s mind. Allow yourself and your words the chance.
There are writers you fall in love with and they sort of become your first loves, and you never really grow out of that, especially at a very young, formative age. Believe that you’re worthy of being someone’s first love with your words and work towards that! Any creative expression in any form or manner is a wonder. If you are able to leave a piece of paper better than you found it, that is all that matters. And if you’re looking for a little inspiration, I think the pages of The Vast Empty are just where you need to start!
Grab your Copies now: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9355652259?ref=myi_title_dp
