‘A PINCH OF SALT’ BY DR. RAJNI CHHABRA: PRELUSION BY Dr. Jernail Singh Aaanand

 

 

‘A PINCH OF SALT’ BY DR. RAJNI CHHABRA

 

FOREWORD

 

Rajni Chhabra is a well-known signature in the field of poetic creation, translation as well as Numerology. She has translated and trans-verted [as she describes some of them] 22 books and written 13 books of Numerology. Apart of these varied interests, she has shown exceptional power so far as poetry writing is concerned. What makes me wonder is how Numerology accords with poetry. It seems the poet and the Numerologist have decided to share the kitchen and assist each other in the creation of poetry as well numerical constructions.

It is interesting, however, to see the impact of Numerology on poetry. I see the poems are in absolute balance and observe complete precision of expression. The poetic creation in the book ‘A Pinch of Salt’ bears the imprint of a master and the poet shares her experiences and her formulations in a language which is highly intelligible, clear and impassioned.

Anybody can write articles, and anyone can write an essay. But anyone cannot write poetry. Because for poetry writing, we need a poetic genius, which involves a sensitive mind and a highly inflammable imagination, coupled with the power to articulate the truth. Generally poets are talking in abstract terms about life, marriage, age, death etc. They use abstractions, so that the truth which waits to be told, is told but indistinctly. Poetry is a word play to an extent, but, in majority of the cases, it  remains word play only, as most of the poetry today is, just a conglomerate of words, lacking poetic genius,  which finally end up saying nothing.  

When we look at the poetic oeuvre of Dr. Rajni Chhabra, from the outset it becomes clear that she is a serious artist, and knows the value of words. The space of a poem is very short, and in this space, the poet has to lay down his/her beliefs. And she never falters in her passion. In the poem, ‘The Poet’, she makes a serious confession and lays down the parameters of being a poet:

        He deals with human passions,

Not with numbers and casualties,

        This is profound liability of a poet

        This is proof of his identity.

 

In ‘Murmuring River’, she notes the passion of the flowing waters for the sea, even if the river has to lose its own being. The expression ‘the lovelorn river’ lends the poem an endearing human quality:

But that lovelorn river

Did not stop flowing

Lost her attribute of sweetness

Merged in hard water

Embracing the sea

And put an end to her synaphea

Her own sustenance.

 

‘Whispers of the Wind’ appears to be the seminal poem of the collection, in which the poet listens to the voice of life, which loves to let go, to flow, and to be free. Her love for freedom, like the wind lends voice to a universal aspiration of mankind:

In the silence, I hear its voice

A gentle reminder of life's choice

To let go, to flow, to be free

Like the wind, wild and carefree.

 

‘Strayed Travellers’ contrasts the olden times when people had time to guide an unknown visitor with modern times, when a strayed traveller has to take recourse to the GPS:

On an unfamiliar path
In an unknown city
There is no fear of
Getting path deviated
Google map protects all
Showing way to 
Strayed travellers.

A wall is a common metaphor in poetry to suggest division. ‘Mending Wall’ is a famous poem by Robert Frost in which he says, good fences are necessary for having good neighbours. But walls often divide old parents from  their sons and daughters which is very painful. Yet, this poem amply shows how walls cannot imprison the love and affection of an elder, testifying to the edifying presence of elderly love for their offspring however uncaring they might be:

But, will she be able to stop
Flight of her mind

Flying on wings of mind
She wanders 
Across the wall

‘Art of Living’ is a highly instructive poem. Through the metaphor of the ‘Bichhu Buti’, a stinging plant, which you can uproot and replant anywhere, which soon gathers life again and starts blooming, the poet wants humans to learn this Art of Living, perhaps, in the background are the thousands of battles, fights, riots, which uproot people and they leave their homes, and resettle at other places:

Bichhu Buti adjusts 
And blooms again
With its colourful glory.
O, That! We could also learn
This unique art of living.

 

The poet philosophizes on the idea of perfection in her beautiful poem, ‘Will to Accomplish’ and remarks that it is better we remain short of perfection and keep working for it:

 

The purposefulness

That is associated with efforts

Is missing in perfection

 

Brimmed goblet

Does not have

Room to add more.

No expectation remains

From life

 

Rajni Chhanra is a votary of change, and believes that although the same Sun rises every day, yet, every day is not the same. We should explore new horizons rather than wishing to remain the same, which represents our comfort zone too:

 

Though same is our life.

Don’t get stagnant.

Daily endeavour

To tread new paths

And explore

New horizons. [The Sun is the Same]

 

 

The mother in the poem ‘A Prayer for Daughter’, brings to mind a poem with nearly the same title, by William Butler Yeats. She prays to save her innocence, and protect her from the winds of time, so that she never faces disillusionment:

 

O! God, I pray thee
Save her innocence
Protect her from
Merciless winds of time
Don't ever, let her face
Disillusionment of rainbow
Ornament her life with
With colors of faith
Let true happiness 
Fetch her glow.

 

 

What is needed for the flight are guts and determination’, [Flight], and “As long as there is breath/Hope to survive persists” [From Book of Life].  The poet’s monologue “Are you Listening Ma!”, in which she addresses her mother is highly emotive:

 

               “I am vocal now,

               ..

I will pen-craft
Spontaneous flow of
My thoughts
Like a stream of pure water.
My silence has vocalized.
But, are you listening Ma?

 

Her poem ‘Withered Leaves’ is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life, where dried leaves are crushed underfoot, once having brought joy and shade to those around them. ‘Eternal Loneliness’ presents a haunting portrayal of isolation, where a lone figure sits amidst withered grass, evoking feelings of desolation and disconnection. And ‘Glaciers’ is  a powerful metaphor for the thawing of cold relationships, urging us to endeavor towards connection and understanding.

In conclusion, I would like to say that ‘A Pinch of Salt’ breathes with the sweet and bitter taste of life, and the poet has lent to her work the glow of her experience as well as her personality, which is rife with a passion for universal well-being and love for mankind. Her keen vision invests with significance things which otherwise appear quite prosaic. This work is an authentic evidence of the fact that the poet in her is as transcendent as her numerical genius. I welcome this work as an admirable addition to English literature of contemporary times. 

 

Dr. Jernail Singh Anand,

Poet and philosopher,

President, International Academy of Ethics.

[ethicsacademy.co.in]

Winner of Seneca Award [Italy] & Charter of Morava [Serbia]

Email: anandjs55@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRELUSION

A PINCH OF SALT 

 

It gives me fathomless pleasure to share my third English Poetry book , 'A Pinch of Salt', with Poetry lovers all over the world.

"Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo," said Don the critic.

Poetry is the world's premier human eloquence, a sheer spontaneous out flowing of sentiments, from the innermost recesses of heart and should be felt in heart of voracious readers. Poetry touches every inch of habitable earth and acquires cultural conquest. It is also cultivating culture.

As for me, poetry is the opening of door, on hearing the knock at the door of mind. While retaining deep love with treasured memories of past, I don't dare to ignore present and cherish hopes for a vibrant future for society as a whole. For me, poetry is reviving past; additionally an instrument of social change, re awakening and attempt to transform attitude of generation towards better. When, I come across chaos in society and degeneration of human values, I can not stop myself from expressing my pang. My poetry explores themes of hope, inspiration, and the human experience. Many a times, our thoughts are poetic; our dreams are laced with little gems of poetry. I just endeavour to pen-craft these dreams with ink of emotions.

My journey of letters is going on side by side with Journey of Numbers. I am into Numerology since 1989 and balancing scales of two utterly distinct spheres, sometimes calls for a lot of adjustment on my part. At this juncture, support of my family is a great boon for me, who always stands by me in pink and blue of life.

Additionally, since, last ten years, I have indulged deeply into translation and trans-verted 22 books from Hindi, English and vice-versa, from Rajasthani, Punjabi and Nepali into English as target language. Overall, whether it be my original poetry or trans-version, my poetry is imbued with emotional depth, varied themes, and accessible language, resonating with readers from diverse backgrounds.

Mentioning a few of my favourite poems : 

*Withered Leaves: A poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life, where dried leaves are crushed underfoot, once having brought joy and shade to those around them.

*Eternal Loneliness: A haunting portrayal of isolation, where a lone figure sits amidst withered grass, evoking feelings of desolation and disconnection.

*Glaciers: A powerful metaphor for the thawing of cold relationships, urging us to endeavor towards connection and understanding.

The world is not exactly the same for all. We perceive the entire diverse world according to our outlook. Hence, I humbly present the world of my thoughts to you, to interpret it in your distinct way. Surely, I will appreciate your views and treasurable comments about my poetic compositions.

Lastly, my special thanks to the Publisher and entire team for creating this Poetry book so aesthetically.

Rajni Chhabra

Multi-lingual Poetess & Translator

e-mail: rajni.numerologist @ gmail.com