AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Ritu Bali, the author of Heart to Art, shares her experience in this short interview..

Read below to know more..

Greetings Mam, Hope you had a good day...

To begin with, Tell us about yourself mam.

My name is Dr Ritu Bali from Agra . Studied M,A from Dayalbagh university and did Ph.D from Agra College. The subject of my research was poetry of Dom Moraes, "Dom Moraes; the man and the poet". I had contributed in numerous literary magazines since the age of nineteen and won awards in paintings. as well.

Worked as a pgt English in kendriya vidyalaya from 1993 to 1996, In Anta, kota. Taught part time in ignou branch Muscat Oman. Currently residing there in Muscat, I'm in an active member of Muscat internations poetry group. Love to read the Upnishads and purana And painting is my other love

Wow cool

Do you remember your first piece of writing

Yes of course. It's on the cover design of my book and My painting is in the backdrop

Lovely

How did you get interested in painting?

It was my main subject apart from English in B.A. Abstract art and landscapes always inspired me

Was your passion really into writing and painting?

Both. I can't segregate them. Words and colour dance into the memory lane when charged with emotion. All arts are associated. I love music too but had never a great voice

Who's your favourite singer mam?

Atif Aslam, kailash Kher, Rehman

Which is your most liked genre?

Poetry

How do you feel when u paint and write?

I kind of feel the relaxation and happiness that a mother feels after delivering a baby

Wonderfully expressed mam

Is this your debut book?

My first book ofcourse . I had always been contributing in other journals but wanted to do something of my own.

How was your publishing journey with blue rose?

It was excellent . Blue Rose not only suggested me how to bring about the best ( from cover design to font ) but took pains in the minute details . Great staff and very professional .

Yeah, true.

According to you how should a poem or story be?

Heart felt , simple diction and captivating the readers ; so that they associate themselves . Powerful at emoting and purging the thought process and simple like opening of a bud into a flower. It should lack artificiality

Who or what is your inspiration for writing?

I'm inspired by BHAGWADPURAN and Upnishad s lately however, I got inspired reading Shelley and Alexander pushkin. I love the naked truth of emotions as and when they occur and ring on the minds screen. Words dance to and language takes colour and shape of poetry or painting. It's spontaneous and fulfilling experience

My teachers and research guide Dr Nibir Ghosh encouraged me to produce more and my late dad always inspired me to follow my dreams . I was really encouraged by my professor late Dr Darshan Dayal of dayalbagh university to write . He got my work published too in literary journals

Wow. So kind of him

Yeah

Is there any incident in your life that has deeply touched you?

Yes my life is rife with incidents and anecdote. My fathers dubious death and my only brothers disowning my mom who now lives with me broke me. My dad was my guiding star . I miss him and there is a poem dedicated to him in my book.

I was talking to him a day before I lost him. I had never wept as tears have frozen in me. I am fearless and poised because I took the refuge of religion to understand more and more . I consider my self a learner . Not a learned

Are you planning for your next book?

Yes of course

What is it about mam?

I had been offered to write a chapter for a series of the best seller A journey to Riches by John spender, From Australia. I also want to write on the power of positivity and merge it with the impact of spirituality And also a book with my co writers , a joint venture from Muscat, Oman where I reside

What are your views on life and society mam?

Life is a tale repeated and I 've learned not to judge anybody . Human emotions are universal . I love to agree with the Gitanjali of Tagore, Where the head is held high, Society and perfection are paradox .

I love to merge universal brotherhood beyond any boundaries made by human hand. I've respect for all religions and believe that spirituality is higher than the individual tags that segregate us . One society , one earth , one human race .

Beautiful

What do you wish to say to your readers mam

I wish that my readers that associate with the theme and enjoy each subject such a love , lust , spirituality , pain . Emotions are universal and so are feelings and so poetry is a medium where the readers got to enjoy the theme and associate themselves . My sketches too are heart pourings done on paper that they may love to see.

Your advice to budding writers?

No I am not to judge. My suggestion to the readers of poetry. I love to say that poetry shouldn't be dwarfed in rhyme and numbers and should pierce the time zone to reach the heart and soul .

well said mam

Where can readers contact you And read your other works?

Through my fb ID – Ritu Bali

Thank you for your time mam.. All the best for upcoming ventures.