Dewdrop and Banyan Tree  (English, Paperback, Ramachandran Rajasekharan)

Short sweet joys, shadows of darkness and testing moments in life, short sighted vison of progress at the cost of Mother Earth, beauty of nature, religion, vibrancy and happiness of childhood, perspectives of grownups, trauma of war, ageing, memories, nostalgia, instillation of values in childhood, poverty, tender relationships, the burden and despair and the tears of unfair bondage of helplessness and the pandemic are some of the themes Ramachandran Rajasekharan deals with in his poetry. Most of his poems can be enjoyed for their beauty and simplicity; at the same time, they draw the reader into layered thoughts. To that extent these poems are complex and intricate with the delicate balancing of emotions of helplessness and pain, offset by the small drops of joy and tenderness of relationships. These poems are influenced by happy childhood and the values passed on by the poet’s parents. Absolute simplicity, smooth narrative, delicate balancing of complex thoughts, lyrical quality, and the poetic imageries they create, all combine as a marvellous bouquet of poems to read, enjoy and ponder upon.