ABOUT POETRY OF RAJNI CHHABRA : GROK

 Rajni Chhabra is a renowned Indian multilingual poetess, polyglot, translator, and numerologist, born on July 3, 1955. A retired lecturer in English, her poetry is known for its emotional honesty, vivid imagery, and universal themes that blend Indian culture with human experiences. She writes primarily in Hindi and English, and her works have been translated into languages like Rajasthani, Punjabi, Nepali, Gujarati, and Bengali. Below is an overview of her poetry, including themes, style, and notable works, based on available information.

Themes and StyleChhabra’s poetry explores a range of themes, including:

• Human Emotions: Her poems delve into loneliness, love, aspiration, and existential reflections, connecting deeply with readers through raw emotional expression. For example, "Eternal Loneliness" portrays solitude in a poignant setting, while "Why Are Dreams So Fascinating" weaves affection and surrender with vibrant imagery.
• Nature and Spirituality: Poems like "Withered Leaves" and "Existence___Is Existence" use natural elements like rivers, glaciers, and grass to reflect on life’s transience and spiritual depth.
• Social Issues: In her translations, such as Vent Your Voice, she addresses moral decay, poverty, and exploitation, urging justice and resilience, particularly in rural Rajasthan.
• Indian Cultural Imagery: Her work often incorporates Indian landscapes, traditions, and spiritual motifs, as seen in Aspiration and her translations of Rajasthani poetry.

Her style is characterized by:

• Emotional Honesty: Chhabra’s poems are direct and heartfelt, creating a strong emotional bond with readers.
• Simplicity and Depth: She uses accessible language to convey profound thoughts, often with metaphors drawn from nature and everyday life.
• Multilingual Versatility: As a polyglot, she writes and translates across languages, preserving the essence of the original works.

Notable Poetry CollectionsChhabra has authored several poetry collections in Hindi and English, and she is also celebrated for her translations. Some key works include:

• Hindi Poetry:
  • Hone Se Na Hone Tak (From Being to Non-Being): A collection reflecting on life’s fleeting nature.
  • Pighlate Himkhand (Melting Glaciers): Explores emotional and existential themes with natural imagery.
  • Baat Sirf Itani Si: A Hindi collection focusing on subtle yet profound human experiences.
• English Poetry:
  • Mortgaged: A collection that delves into emotional and societal constraints.
  • Maiden Step: Focuses on new beginnings and personal growth.
  • Reveries: A reflective work exploring dreams and introspection.
  • Aspiration: An English translation of her Hindi work Akanksha, showcasing Indian imagery and universal aspirations.
• Translated Works:
  • Let the Birds Chirp: English translation of Shakuntala Sharma’s Hindi poems, blending Indian culture with universal themes.
  • Vent Your Voice: English translation of Dr. Shyam Maharshi’s Rajasthani poetry collection Keen to Bol, addressing rural life and social issues.
  • Gems of Rajasthani Poetry: A collection of translated Rajasthani poems, her seventh translation work in this language.
  • Sky is the Limit: An anthology of English translations of poems by 25 Rajasthani poetesses, a pioneering effort.
  • Fathoming Thy Heart: English translation of Punjabi poems by Dr. Amarjit Kaunke.
  • Language Fused In Blood: English translation of Dr. Neeraj Daiya’s Rajasthani poems.
  • Recollecting Obliterated: Poetry About Vincent Van Gogh: A unique collection inspired by the artist’s life and works.

Sample PoemsHere are excerpts from some of her poems available online, showcasing her style and themes:

1. Withered Leaves:
   • “Dried, withered leaves / That are being crushed / Ruthlessly / Under feet of passers-by ...”
     This poem uses the metaphor of withered leaves to reflect on fragility and neglect.
2. Eternal Loneliness:
   • “On the withered grass / Of orchard / She was / Sitting alone ...”
     A poignant depiction of solitude and introspection in a natural setting.
3. Existence___Is Existence:
   • “Water of rivers / Flows / Like these thoughts / Water of sacred Ganges ...”
     This poem connects the flow of rivers to the flow of thoughts, evoking spiritual and existential musings.
4. The Peace and Harmony:
   • “Why an aloofness / Persists in human beings / Why we confine ourselves / In self built castle ...”
     Published in Setu, this poem questions human isolation and advocates for connection and harmony.

Contributions and Recognition

• Multilingual Reach: Chhabra’s poetry and translations have been published in prestigious journals like Indian Literature (Sahitya Akademi), Wandering Cloud, and Rustling Breeze. Her poems are also featured on PoemHunter.com, with 33 poems listed.
• Translations: She has translated extensively from Rajasthani, Punjabi, and Urdu into English, preserving the cultural and emotional essence of the originals. Her work includes eight Rajasthani poetry translations, six Hindi translations, and one Punjabi translation.
• Broadcast and Recitation: For 19 years, her poems were broadcast on All India Radio, Bikaner. She has participated in national and international poetry recitation events.
• Other Works: Beyond poetry, she authored an English grammar book, Bright English New Course, and three e-books on numerology: Numerology Galore, Comprehensive Numerology Guide for Career Orientation, and Vyvaharik Ank-Shastar (in Hindi).

Where to Find Her Work

• Online: Poems are available on PoemHunter.com, SetuMag.com, and her blogs like imprintrajnichhabra.blogspot.com and expressionrajnichhabra.blogspot.com.
• Books: Her collections and translations, such as Gems of Rajasthani Poetry, Sky is the Limit, and Aspiration, are available on Amazon Kindle.
• YouTube: Chhabra shares her work on her YouTube channel (username: therajni56).

Critical ReceptionChhabra’s translations are noted for retaining the original spirit of the poems, as seen in reviews of Vent Your Voice and Let the Birds Chirp. Her poetry is praised for its sensitivity, depth, and ability to resonate globally while rooted in Indian culture.If you’d like me to provide full texts of specific poems (where available), analyze a particular work, or explore her translations further, please let me know! Alternatively, I can search for more of her poetry or provide details on accessing her books.