Description
This book is a compilation of some of life’s moments, and as is the case in anyone’s life, the moments may be beautiful, aching, heart-wrenching, or just very ordinary, written over the last 20 years. … Writing about ordinary moments is what makes haiku special — one doesn’t have to write about earth-shattering happenings, an everyday morning stroll is inspiration enough.
Geethanjali Rajan’s knowledge of Japanese clearly gives her a vantage point in this project. But this is infused with a deep understanding and appreciation of the short forms and shot through it all are humility and innocence. — Sonam Chhoki
You travel everywhere in this book. And yet, all the time, you are deep within. A conversation with moments, emotions and all that is rustled up inside, flows into the meditative penmanship of Geethanjali Rajan’s longing for sun longing for rain. — Shobhana Kumar
Geethanjali Rajan discovered haiku in 2003. Her English language haiku and haibun have been published in online and print journals and anthologised in several books. Her poems have been in award lists, the Genjuan International Haibun Contest (2014, 2016 and 2020), Tata LitLive Haiku Contest (2014), Raedleaf Poetry — Haiku (2013), Sonic Boom Senryu Contest (2015), Vancouver Cherry Blossom (2017), Gene Murtha Senryu Competition (2018), International Polish Haiku Contest (2019), Akita International Haiku Contest (2019, Japanese haiku). Her book of collaborative verse with Sonam Chhoki (Bhutan), Unexpected Gift, was published by Éditions des petits nuages, Canada in 2021 and shortlisted for the Touchstone Awards (The Haiku Foundation). Another book of collaborative verse with Sonam Chhoki, Fragments of Conversation, is forthcoming.
Dhaatri Vengunad is an artist and illustrator. She has illustrated three children’s books and has been a part of several illustration projects. This is the third poetry book she has worked on. Her haiga, digital art and visual poetry have been published in international journals. Her visual poems (collaboration with Geethanjali Rajan) were awarded in the Sonic Boom Vispo Annual Contest 2021 and 2022. Her cartoon creations Kat & Apila, an unapologetically peace-loving cat and caterpillar combination, have their home at cattails, the online haikai journal. She is based in Chennai and holds a degree in Visual Communication and a Diploma in Children’s Book Illustration. She advocates for neurodiversity and endorses the embracing of differences in every sphere.