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Rituparna reviews Rajorshi Patranabis’ book of poems, Shaktirupen: The Deepest Secret, exclusively for Different Truths.
Shaktirupen: The Deepest Secret is another commendable collection from the pen of multitalented and multilingual poet and translator Rajorshi Patranabis. Women mirror strength. The poet has articulately portrayed this age-old truth through thirty (30) mythological women of our land with more authenticity than any truth can reveal. The poems are short, very poignant, and profound. No wonder a colossal research work is the basic trump card behind the successful outcome of this beautiful saga of womanhood. The lucid style hits straight inside the reader’s mind, and each line from each poem speaks volumes about the character’s identity in her maximum depth.
Yashoda, Satyavati, Ganga, Dushala, Chitrangada, Devaki, and others are also vociferous in their sovereign way. Their joy, pain, sorrow, happiness, suffering, triumph, and all their emotions and states of mind and being are dexterously captivated by the poet with much affection.
Yashoda makes our heat wail
Yashoda makes our heat wail with the poet’s words:
He used her to grow She grew in his glory He was her destiny She remained after his accident
Valour of Warrior Princess of Manipur, Chitrangada is flaunted with poet’s poetic pride when he writes:
Prince of a princess Bloated folklore Swings to sever Simmering love Bows to arrows Galloping gallow Rhyme to deter Miscreant poetry
Kuru Princess, Dushala’s plight and negligence is depicted with such caress and affection, which is reflected in these two lines:
The corpse of her heart lay on her lap
Dushala, sister of the hundred.
Devaki’s bitter life, despite giving birth to the Lord of the lords, Sree Krishna, makes our hearts yell with pathos
Devaki’s bitter life, despite giving birth to the Lord of the lords, Sree Krishna, makes our hearts yell with pathos when the piercing lines say:
A womb that lost A womb that gained A womb that bled A womb that gave birth. Nomadic consternation Abysmal acoustics Thuds of death Reincarnated divinity. Burnt to ashes Pyre of reflections Maternal cessation Loner’s motherhood.
The more we enter the characters, the more they drag and capture us within their worlds.
These are just a few citations trying to analyse the degree of intensity with which the poet dared to delve deep into these characters. The more we enter the characters, the more they drag and capture us within their worlds. The poet’s pen has reflected that power which is sure to compel the readers to exercise their inquisitiveness for deeper into these Amazons who have given various shades to womanhood. Without any second thoughts, this collection is an epitome of femininity and should be hailed as a celebration of womanhood.
Rajorshi Patranabis is a man with fewer words, but words that are just appropriate reflect what he wants. This winning trait of the versatile poet is beautifully served again in this collection, like his other collection of poetry, in the precious tray of creativity for us to savour, relish and cherish forever. This anthology is a must-have treasure on the shelves of book lovers.
The foreword written by a mental health professional and acclaimed poet and singer Amanita Sen intrigues the readers
The foreword written by a mental health professional and acclaimed poet and singer Amanita Sen, intrigues the readers to tread this path of the cosmic power of femininity so well crafted by the poet.
The blurb by academic and acclaimed poet and translator Dr Nabanita Sengupta is no less in justifying the in-depth and intense spiritedness of these thirty-odd female icons of Indian mythology that are no less than reality.
The production of the book is to be mentioned with special appreciation. Kudos to team Penprints for publishing such a wonderful collection.
Thanks to poet Rajorshi Patranabis for unravelling the deepest secrets of womanhood.
Book cover sourced by the reviewer.
