In an Exclusive Interview with Poet Kirti V, Meet the Holistic Pine Personality Interview Series Launches
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Hi, I'm Ankush Bharti, Editor-in-Chief of The Holistic Pine. Welcome to the inaugural session of "Meet The Holistic Pine Personality," in which I had the privilege of conversing with Kirti V., a former IT professional turned educator whose journey into writing amid the 2020 pandemic is a testament to human resilience. Exploring poetry, prose, and storytelling, Kirti's works have graced anthologies across languages, earning her prestigious awards like the Literoma Author of the Year 2021 and Ukiyoto Poet of the Year 2022. Her debut poetry book, "Tides of Life," released in January 2022, received acclaim and was honored at the ALS Annual Awards 2023. February 2024 marked the release of her second collection, "From My Pen," showcasing her growth as a writer. Dive into Kirti's literary universe at www.kirtisignature.com, where her words invite introspection and celebration of the human experience.
Let's delve right into the interview:
Ms. Kirti, your journey from an IT professional to a renowned writer is fascinating. Can you share what inspired you to make this transition, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic?
I quit IT and ventured into teaching when my kids started school. I had taken a break just before the pandemic struck.
The pandemic did see everyone venture online, and silence prevailed at home with two kids attending their classes and husband busy with his office work. I started getting bored then.
My friend Anu, who had seen me write introduced me to a poetry writing group Artoonsinn Poetry Parlour on Facebook. Initially, I was just a spectator who enjoyed reading the poems written and astonished with the different styles of writing. Slowly, I started penning down my words and posting it onto that group. People started appreciating the way I wrote and gave me suggestions to improve my skills.
This motivated me and I vouched to write at least one poem a week. After the first year of the pandemic, there was no looking back. 
Your poetry covers a wide range of topics, from raw human emotions to nature and even inanimate objects. How do you find inspiration for such diverse themes, and what draws you to explore them through your writing?
I observe a lot and often think beyond what I see. I also make it a point to stand out from the crowd. Having said that, the happenings around me, what I read influence my writing a lot.
For example, the bench in a park, is not just a seating area. Lots of events would have happened when somebody sat on it. Just imagine if the prison cells at Kalapaani or the well in Jallainwala could speak. Don’t we feel that they still weep? The waves, the gates to a mansion, the walls, the notebooks or even our phones… That makes me think. Even though they are inanimate objects, they are so full of life.
Human emotions are evoked within from the images that I see and what I read. Armed forces and refugees instil a lot of raw emotions. Being a mother and a teacher, I see small children with varied feelings around me. All these inspire a lot.
Nature, well isn’t she a poet’s favourite muse? So varied, so colourful and full of mystery, she indeed inspires. I grew up reading Wordsworth, Frost and Kumaranasan (Malayalam poet) who described nature and people so effortlessly and that too has influenced my poems.
Congratulations on the release of your second poetry collection, 'From My Pen'. Could you tell us about the significance of the title and what readers can expect from this new book compared to your debut work?
Thank you!! The title is straight from heart telling my readers that the words are just flowing from my pen to their hearts. I tend to keep my work simple. When I say simple, I mean that I try not to use ornamental words to enhance my poetry. The title is also as simple as that.
I think the poems in my second book showcase my growth as a writer. That is what makes it a bit different from my first title – Tides of Life.
Khalil Gibran's quote on poetry being a mixture of joy, pain, wonder, and the dictionary is quite profound. How do you personally relate to this idea, and how does it manifest in your poetry?
Poetry is indeed a medium to express joy, pain, wonder. I personally feel that these expressions are well delivered through verses. For me, I see poems as a way for me to express myself. Be it happiness, sorrow, anger, or hatred, I get the apt words to express the same. Poetry is now a catharsis for me and a way out to broadcast my thought.
As I mentioned, simple words can convey a lot. Haikus and other short poetry forms can bring out the feelings in very few words or syllables. Imagine a 3 line poetry conveying love…
Those tightly clasped palms,
locked lips and eyes full of love,
moments froze in time.
Your debut poetry book, 'Tides of Life', received critical acclaim and even garnered a special mention at the ALS Annual Awards. How did you feel about this recognition, and did it influence your approach to writing your second collection?
Every award or words of appreciation is a pat on the back and a motivation to do better than that. That’s how I see these awards. It is a recognition for my words and I feel elated that it is read by some eminent writers who are part of the jury.
But like how I keep telling my students and my own children, awards don’t decide anything. They are just a motivation. Whatever we do, should be done from the heart and should make us happy.
As an award-winning author, you've been honoured with prestigious awards like the Literoma Author of the Year and the NE8X Tagore Commemorative Award. How do these accolades impact your creative process, if at all?
As mentioned earlier, the awards are just steps for me to improve my work. I often see how I can improvise and make it better. It makes me understand my flaws or fall backs and encourages me to work upon the same. So, yes, the awards indeed have a positive impact on my creative process.
Writer’s block does strike me when I stretch myself to write a lot. Especially during the National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) when you write every day for 30 days, it feels that the mind is drained out and devoid of thoughts.
I try to give myself a break and not write for a day or two but continue reading that helps me recoup and reassemble my thoughts.
Your website, www.kirtisignature.com, serves as a platform for readers to engage with your works. How do you utilise digital platforms to connect with your audience, and what role do you see technology playing in the world of literature?
My aim of having a website was just to keep my works organized in a proper way. Now that it is garnering readers, I would love to utilize that to bring out the beautiful world of poetry for everyone.
It also helps me to connect with my readers. I started from the online platforms only. So, I do strongly believe that digital media helps the writers connect to their readers.
With the advent of technology, the digital platforms help in connecting with fellow writers from different parts of the world. This creates a space for us, the writers to enhance our skills and broaden our perspectives.
Looking ahead, what aspirations do you have for your writing career, and are there any upcoming projects or goals that you're particularly excited about sharing with your readers?
As a writer, I want to write at least one poem a day or a week. I also want people to love poetry as there are very less readers for poetry. Even many writers prefer short stories or novels to poetries. I want the next generation to understand that poems are not devils, but angels in disguise who can take you to a world that is close to reality.
My thoughts for the next book is to come up with a book on the different types of poetry. I also would want to try my hands at writing sonnets, which is a task. I am also open to suggestions that my readers would want to give me.
I quit IT and ventured into teaching when my kids started school. I had taken a break just before the pandemic struck.
The pandemic did see everyone venture online, and silence prevailed at home with two kids attending their classes and husband busy with his office work. I started getting bored then.
My friend Anu, who had seen me write introduced me to a poetry writing group Artoonsinn Poetry Parlour on Facebook. Initially, I was just a spectator who enjoyed reading the poems written and astonished with the different styles of writing. Slowly, I started penning down my words and posting it onto that group. People started appreciating the way I wrote and gave me suggestions to improve my skills.
This motivated me and I vouched to write at least one poem a week. After the first year of the pandemic, there was no looking back.
Your poetry covers a wide range of topics, from raw human emotions to nature and even inanimate objects. How do you find inspiration for such diverse themes, and what draws you to explore them through your writing?
I observe a lot and often think beyond what I see. I also make it a point to stand out from the crowd. Having said that, the happenings around me, what I read influence my writing a lot.
For example, the bench in a park, is not just a seating area. Lots of events would have happened when somebody sat on it. Just imagine if the prison cells at Kalapaani or the well in Jallainwala could speak. Don’t we feel that they still weep? The waves, the gates to a mansion, the walls, the notebooks or even our phones… That makes me think. Even though they are inanimate objects, they are so full of life.
Human emotions are evoked within from the images that I see and what I read. Armed forces and refugees instil a lot of raw emotions. Being a mother and a teacher, I see small children with varied feelings around me. All these inspire a lot.
Nature, well isn’t she a poet’s favourite muse? So varied, so colourful and full of mystery, she indeed inspires. I grew up reading Wordsworth, Frost and Kumaranasan (Malayalam poet) who described nature and people so effortlessly and that too has influenced my poems.
Congratulations on the release of your second poetry collection, 'From My Pen'. Could you tell us about the significance of the title and what readers can expect from this new book compared to your debut work?
Thank you!! The title is straight from heart telling my readers that the words are just flowing from my pen to their hearts. I tend to keep my work simple. When I say simple, I mean that I try not to use ornamental words to enhance my poetry. The title is also as simple as that.
I think the poems in my second book showcase my growth as a writer. That is what makes it a bit different from my first title – Tides of Life.
Khalil Gibran's quote on poetry being a mixture of joy, pain, wonder, and the dictionary is quite profound. How do you personally relate to this idea, and how does it manifest in your poetry?
Poetry is indeed a medium to express joy, pain, wonder. I personally feel that these expressions are well delivered through verses. For me, I see poems as a way for me to express myself. Be it happiness, sorrow, anger, or hatred, I get the apt words to express the same. Poetry is now a catharsis for me and a way out to broadcast my thought.
As I mentioned, simple words can convey a lot. Haikus and other short poetry forms can bring out the feelings in very few words or syllables. Imagine a 3 line poetry conveying love…
Those tightly clasped palms,
locked lips and eyes full of love,
moments froze in time.
Your debut poetry book, 'Tides of Life', received critical acclaim and even garnered a special mention at the ALS Annual Awards. How did you feel about this recognition, and did it influence your approach to writing your second collection?
Every award or words of appreciation is a pat on the back and a motivation to do better than that. That’s how I see these awards. It is a recognition for my words and I feel elated that it is read by some eminent writers who are part of the jury.
But like how I keep telling my students and my own children, awards don’t decide anything. They are just a motivation. Whatever we do, should be done from the heart and should make us happy.
As an award-winning author, you've been honoured with prestigious awards like the Literoma Author of the Year and the NE8X Tagore Commemorative Award. How do these accolades impact your creative process, if at all?
As mentioned earlier, the awards are just steps for me to improve my work. I often see how I can improvise and make it better. It makes me understand my flaws or fall backs and encourages me to work upon the same. So, yes, the awards indeed have a positive impact on my creative process.
Your works have been published in several anthologies across languages. How does the experience of writing for multilingual audiences influence your craft, and what challenges or advantages does it present?
Writing across languages has helped me enhance my thinking process. It connects me with more people. Multilingualism does help me express my thoughts more as some thoughts are well expressed in a vernacular language.
I have written in Malayalam (my mother tongue) and Hindi (a language that I love to explore) but still lack confidence to write fluently. I would love to explore more in these languages and hope to write a full-fledged book in either or both of these beautiful languages.
Writing across languages has helped me enhance my thinking process. It connects me with more people. Multilingualism does help me express my thoughts more as some thoughts are well expressed in a vernacular language.
I have written in Malayalam (my mother tongue) and Hindi (a language that I love to explore) but still lack confidence to write fluently. I would love to explore more in these languages and hope to write a full-fledged book in either or both of these beautiful languages.
Many writers experience writer's block or periods of creative stagnation. How do you navigate through such challenges, and do you have any rituals or practices that help reignite your creativity?
Writer’s block does strike me when I stretch myself to write a lot. Especially during the National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) when you write every day for 30 days, it feels that the mind is drained out and devoid of thoughts.
I try to give myself a break and not write for a day or two but continue reading that helps me recoup and reassemble my thoughts.
Your website, www.kirtisignature.com, serves as a platform for readers to engage with your works. How do you utilise digital platforms to connect with your audience, and what role do you see technology playing in the world of literature?
My aim of having a website was just to keep my works organized in a proper way. Now that it is garnering readers, I would love to utilize that to bring out the beautiful world of poetry for everyone.
It also helps me to connect with my readers. I started from the online platforms only. So, I do strongly believe that digital media helps the writers connect to their readers.
With the advent of technology, the digital platforms help in connecting with fellow writers from different parts of the world. This creates a space for us, the writers to enhance our skills and broaden our perspectives.
Looking ahead, what aspirations do you have for your writing career, and are there any upcoming projects or goals that you're particularly excited about sharing with your readers?
As a writer, I want to write at least one poem a day or a week. I also want people to love poetry as there are very less readers for poetry. Even many writers prefer short stories or novels to poetries. I want the next generation to understand that poems are not devils, but angels in disguise who can take you to a world that is close to reality.
My thoughts for the next book is to come up with a book on the different types of poetry. I also would want to try my hands at writing sonnets, which is a task. I am also open to suggestions that my readers would want to give me.
Thank you so much Kirti!
Thank you Ankush ji
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