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But we live in a cage and are afraid to flee."
In “Papri, My Love,” the opening poem in this collection, Das makes clear his profound appreciation and admiration for his wife, Papri Das. While the central theme of love permeates throughout the poetry, there are many vital, current-era ideas that Das explores. As an Indian American from Kolkata, Das salutes the ultimate sacrifice of a soldier for the love of one’s motherland and its inhabitants. Das conveys powerful ideas of simply being a human being removed from all forms of discrimination in “Soldier’s View.” Ultimately, as expressed in “Bird,” Das’ poems seem to seek a return to the times of innocence, freedom, and an endless canvas of hope.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the compilation is the idea that nirvana, or enlightenment, can be achieved through true love. Interestingly, romantic poems like “Love Paradise” and “Different Love” strongly represent the booming Indian cinematic culture of Bollywood’s emphasis on the pure elements of love. However, the author’s book is more than just a compilation of love poems; a range of existential and philosophical thoughts pertaining to the future of humanity are examined, initiating a healthy discussion on critical issues of modern, 21st century society. For example, “Freedom” encapsulates the state of the modern man and his inability to escape the desire for more money, more property, and more luxury. Today’s human is always running and rarely has the time to step away from the chase and bask in the energy and beauty of nature. As the compilation progresses, Das infuses his poetry with positivity, as illustrated in “Be positive” and “A Smile.” Although his poems employ a rather simple rhyme scheme, the depth of the concepts makes reading them a meaningful and worthwhile experience.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review