HARINDER CHEEMA INTERVIEW

 

NILAVRONILL TALKING WITH

POET OF THE MONTH

HARINDER CHEEMA

NILAVRONILL: Welcome to Our Poetry Archive. Since April 2015 we are publishing and archiving contemporary world poetry each and every month. Up to the last month we have published 136 monthly issues and 12 Year Book. I hope you would also like OPA very much, like hundreds of poets around the world.

HARINDER CHEEMA: Our Poetry Archive is truly a wonderful initiative. What makes it special is the way you bring together poets from different parts of the world and give their work a meaningful space. In doing so, you are not only celebrating poets of today but also creating a valuable record of contemporary Literature and Poetry for future generations. You truly are preserving and archiving the voices of contemporary times. Publishing 136 monthly issues and 12 Year Books speaks highly of your dedication and service to Literature and humanity. I truly feel honored to be featured in OPA and also to share space with renowned poets from all across the world.  Thank you for this opportunity and recognition, and Gratitude for preserving verses that will continue to speak to posterity and resonate across generations.

NILAVRONILL: Why do literature and poetry in particular interest you so much? Please give us some idea about your own perception of literature or poetry in general. And about your favorite writers in the growing phase of your life.

HARINDER CHEEMA: As a student, I was good at academics, but I developed a special love for English literature and poetry, largely under the influence of my father, who was himself a true man of letters. He began his career as a Professor of English Literature at a prestigious University. Our home was often filled with lively and intellectually stimulating discussions on literature and poetry. I would eagerly look forward to these interactive sessions every day. At a very young age, my father introduced me to the works of poets such as William Wordsworth, John Keats, P. B. Shelley, Alexander Pope, John Milton and William Shakespeare among many others. He not only discussed their poetry and literary contributions but also shared fascinating anecdotes from their lives, which further deepened my curiosity and encouraged me to read more about them. Looking back, I realize how profoundly my father influenced me. I am deeply indebted to him, not only for nurturing my love for literature but also for playing a defining role in shaping my destiny. Literature is a reflection of life itself. It captures our experiences, emotions, dreams, and struggles. Through stories and poetry, we come to understand not only the world around us but also ourselves. Literature keeps memories and histories alive, passes values from one generation to another, and allows us to connect with people and experiences far removed from our own.

NILAVRONILL: I think living together with a particular language is very much essential in writing poems in any particular language. And this experience makes a poet more mature in his or her literary writings. I would like to know your own experiences, especially when you write both in your own language and in a foreign language such as English.

HARINDER CHEEMA: I write mostly in English, and I owe much of my comfort and proficiency in the language to my education and the institutions where I studied. My father, who had an exceptional command of English, also played a significant role in shaping my linguistic abilities during my formative years. His influence, combined with my academic environment, helped me develop confidence in both communication and writing. Over the years, I have found it increasingly natural to think and express myself in English. My reading habit has further enriched my vocabulary, sharpened my expression, and deepened my understanding of the language. In many ways, English has become not just a language I write in, but a language through which I naturally articulate my thoughts and ideas.

NILAVRONILL: Our Indian subcontinent had a colonial past. We too are the product of this colonial legacy through our education, social upbringings and political cultures. Consciously or even unconsciously most of our literary works bear this marks either explicitly or implicitly. I would like to know your own experience on this matter, in respect of your own literary works.

HARINDER CHEEMA: One of the most enduring legacies of our colonial past can be seen in our education system, particularly in the place that English came to occupy in our intellectual and academic life. English was introduced and promoted largely to serve the administrative needs and interests of the British rulers. Yet, over time, it acquired a significance far beyond its original purpose. It became a window through which we could look beyond our own immediate cultural and geographical boundaries and engage with the wider world. As generations of Indians became proficient in English, they gained access to a vast body of literature and ideas. We could read the works of great English writers, novelists, playwrights, and poets in the original language and engage directly with their thoughts and imagination. Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Dickens, Austen, and many others became part of our intellectual landscape. At the same time, English enabled us to appreciate ideas from different cultures and traditions, broadening our horizons and encouraging us to think more progressively.  It became a bridge between India and the wider world. For me personally, this legacy has been particularly meaningful. My familiarity with English opened the door to a world of literature that continues to inspire, challenge, and shape the way I think and write.

NILAVRONILL: Is it possible to put into the words everything that as a poet you wish to express literarily? If not, why?

HARINDER CHEEMA: No, it is not possible to express everything that I wish to express and perhaps that is precisely the strength of a poet. The source, the inner core from which my poetry originates, is like a perennial spring of thoughts. It continues to flow, quietly and endlessly, regardless of how much I draw from it. Even after giving so much of myself through my words, I feel that there is still so much more waiting to be expressed. Perhaps poetry lives in that space between what we feel and what we are able to put into words. The more one writes, the more one discovers that the well of creativity within is inexhaustible.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think the primary obligation of a poet should be to communicate with the temporal as well as with the eternal essence of life and the universe? If so, how can one fulfil that particular obligation?

HARINDER CHEEMA: A true poet is connected to both temporal life and the eternal life of the universe. He lives not only in the world around him but also in the vast landscape of his own thoughts and imagination. And thoughts, unlike the physical world, have no boundaries, they can travel freely across space and time, reaching into the past, imagining the future, and touching the timeless. Perhaps this is what defines the journey of a poet. He stands firmly in the temporal world, with all its joys, sorrows, struggles, and uncertainties and yet feels an irresistible pull towards something eternal. In this sense, the poet becomes a bridge between the temporal and the eternal, between the world we inhabit and the world we imagine, between the finite human experience and the infinite mystery of existence.  Through his words he can capture both, the transient nature of the physical and the timelessness of the eternal.

NILAVRONILL: It is an established fact that every poet should create his or her own poetic language as an unique literary signature that would eventually keep him or her alive beyond his or her time. I would like to know your personal experience in this regard, and how can one achieve that unique literary language in his or her lifetime?

HARINDER CHEEMA: It is fascinating to observe that poets belonging to different cultures, societies, historical periods, and personal backgrounds often share something deeply human which are their thoughts and emotions. Although their experiences may be shaped by very different circumstances, the feelings that inspire poetry are often universal. Joy, sorrow, love, loss, longing, hope, loneliness and pain are emotions that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. At the heart of poetry lies the human response to life. Our thoughts are rarely isolated from our emotions, rather, they emerge from the experiences we live. A poet may write about a deeply personal moment, yet the emotion expressed can resonate with someone living in a completely different culture or time. This is perhaps one of the most remarkable qualities of poetry. Yet, if poets share many of the same fundamental emotions, what makes one poet different from another? The answer often lies in the way those emotions are expressed. A poet's uniqueness is shaped by his or her voice, choice of words, imagery, rhythm, metaphors, and overall literary style. Two poets may experience the same emotion, but they may express it in entirely different ways. One may use simplicity another may rely on rich imagery and symbolism, while yet another may choose irony, humor, or philosophical reflection. It is this individual manner of expression that gives poetry its distinct identity. Poetic language therefore plays a crucial role in shaping a poet's voice. Sometimes the choice of a particular literary language is conscious and deliberate.  At other times, the choice seems almost instinctive. A poet may naturally gravitate towards the language in which emotions feel most authentic and thoughts can be expressed with greater freedom. The language of poetry, therefore, is not merely a medium of communication, it can become an essential part of the poet's identity. Many poets also develop a distinctive style and remain faithful to it throughout their creative lives. Their recurring themes, images, rhythms, vocabulary, and ways of looking at the world gradually become recognizable. Over time, these characteristics form what we may call the poet's unique voice. We may read a few lines and immediately sense who the poet is, even without seeing the name attached to the poem. That recognition is a sign of artistic individuality.

NILAVRONILL: Do you think literary criticism has much to do with the development of a poet and the true understanding of his or her poetry?

HARINDER CHEEMA: Personally, I believe that it is a matter of great pride and fulfilment for any poet when his or her work becomes the subject of literary criticism. To have one's poetry examined, discussed, interpreted, and engaged with by readers and critics means that the work has invited thought and conversation. In many ways, literary criticism gives a poem another life. It takes the poem beyond the private world of the poet and places it in a larger intellectual and cultural space where different interpretations and perspectives can emerge. Literary criticism, however, should not be understood simply as criticism in the sense of finding faults or pointing out weaknesses. It is a much richer and more meaningful practice. At its heart, literary criticism is an attempt to analyse, interpret, question, and explore a literary work in depth. It encourages us to look beyond the surface of words and examine the emotions, ideas, symbols, imagery, historical context, language, structure, and philosophical questions that may lie within a poem. A poem can often appear simple at first reading, but poetry has a remarkable ability to contain layers of meaning. Sometimes a particular word, image, or metaphor can carry a significance that may not be immediately apparent. Literary criticism allows us to pause and look more carefully. It opens different doors into the same poem and helps us understand not only what the poet is saying, but also how and why the poet is saying it. I strongly feel that we can develop a deeper and more complete understanding of a poem when we approach it through the lens of literary criticism. Poetry is an evolving conversation between the poet, the critic, and the reader. Different readers may discover different meanings, and each interpretation can add another dimension to our understanding of the work. For a poet, therefore, literary criticism can become an opportunity for growth. Honest and sensitive criticism can encourage a poet to reflect upon his or her craft, understand its strengths and limitations, and continue evolving as a writer. Ultimately, literary criticism enriches both the poet and the reader.

NILAVRONILL: Literature encompasses every aspect of life, it blends the various shades and textures of human aspirations as well as drawbacks. It also lights up the new horizons and new dimensions of human capabilities relentlessly. I would like to know your particular viewpoints; how do you relate all these in your own writings?

HARINDER CHEEMA: Literature, to me, is life itself. It is a reflection of both our inner and outer worlds. It reflects the world we inhabit and the world we carry within us. Through words, we try to make sense of our thoughts, emotions, experiences, dreams, fears, and contradictions. Literature gives language to what is sometimes difficult to express in ordinary conversation. It allows us to articulate our feelings. Life is never one-dimensional, and literature cannot be one-dimensional either. It captures the fragility and uncertainty of human existence, but at the same time, it also celebrates the remarkable strength of the human mind and character. We experience loss and love, failure and hope, loneliness and companionship, despair and resilience. All these experiences can be understood in the space of literature. For me, writing is also a way of engaging with this complexity of life. My writings are no different in that sense. I write about the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, and everything that lies somewhere in between. I do not believe that poetry must restrict itself to one particular emotion, subject, or mood. Life itself is a vast spectrum, and I feel that poetry should have the freedom to embrace that spectrum. My poetry moves across different worlds and different states of being. It travels from the mundane to the mystical, finding poetry not only in extraordinary experiences but also in the seemingly insignificant moments of everyday life. It moves from the temporal to the eternal. Time, mortality, existence, and the possibility of something beyond the visible world often find their way into my writing. It also moves from the physical to the spiritual. The physical world is what we see, touch, and experience, but there is another world within us which is the world of consciousness, belief, longing, imagination, and spiritual questioning. Poetry allows these worlds to meet. There is also room in my poetry for the satirical and the reverential. I believe that life deserves to be looked at with both seriousness and humor. Satire allows us to question human follies, social contradictions, hypocrisy, and absurdities, while reverence allows us to pause before beauty, faith, nature, love, and the mysteries of existence. Sometimes we need laughter to understand life, at other times, we need silence and contemplation. Similarly, my writing moves from the philosophical to the comical. Philosophy asks us to confront the larger questions of existence, while humor reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. The two may appear to be opposites, but both are deeply human responses to the world around us. Ultimately, I see poetry as an open space where all these seemingly opposite dimensions of life can coexist. The sacred can exist alongside the ordinary, the serious alongside the humorous, the beautiful alongside the disturbing, and the physical alongside the spiritual. Human life itself contains these contradictions, and perhaps poetry becomes most authentic when it does not try to resolve them but simply allows them to exist together. That is what I try to do through my writings. I hold a mirror to life in all its richness and complexity.

NilavroNill: Would you consider, it should be the goal of a poet to enlightens the readers towards a much greater apprehensions of life and eternity in general? Or is it better to write poems only to console the poet’s soul? Do you believe, literature can eventually help people to uplift human conscience?

HARINDER CHEEMA: Poets, in many ways, are free-spirited souls. They do not always conform to the established ways of thinking, feeling, or expressing themselves. A poet often looks at the world from a different angle and is willing to question what others may simply accept. This freedom of thought is perhaps one of the most essential qualities of a poet. A poet writes not merely because there is something to say, but because there is something that must be said. Most poets write about what touches them most deeply. It may be an experience, a person, a memory, a moment of beauty, an injustice, a personal loss, a spiritual awakening, or even an ordinary incident that suddenly acquires extraordinary meaning. Poetry often begins with something intensely personal, a feeling that refuses to remain silent. When that feeling is transformed into words with honesty, imagination, and artistic sensitivity, it can become something much larger than the experience that gave birth to it. This is where poetry acquires its real power. A poem may begin in the poet's individual world, but its emotional truth can travel far beyond it. A poet may write about his own loneliness, yet a reader who has never known the poet may recognise his or her own loneliness in those words. A poet may write about personal grief, and someone else may find comfort in it years or even centuries later. In this way, the subjective can become universal. Perhaps this is one of the reasons impactful poetry has such extraordinary longevity. Anything that becomes truly immortal in literature does so because it continues to speak to human beings across generations. Time changes societies, cultures, languages, and ways of living, but certain emotions remain remarkably constant. Love, longing, loss, hope, fear, wonder, loneliness, faith, continue to be part of the human experience. When a poet succeeds in giving these universal emotions a distinctive and memorable voice, the poem can transcend its own time. I also believe that, somewhere within the heart of every poet, there exists a quiet desire for immortality, not necessarily immortality of the person, but immortality of the voice. The poet knows that life is temporary, but words have the possibility of travelling beyond the lifetime of their creator. A poem can remain when the poet is no longer there to recite it. It can be discovered by a reader who was not even born when it was written. In that sense, poetry offers the poet a way of continuing to exist through language. Yet true poetic immortality cannot be achieved simply by wanting to be remembered. It has to be earned through the work itself. A poet must touch something genuine in the human heart. The poem must carry an emotional or intellectual truth that readers can recognise, even if it originates in a completely different time, culture, or personal circumstance. This is why even deeply subjective poetry can have a universal purpose. The poet may begin by speaking of I, but the reader may discover we within those words. A personal experience becomes a shared human experience. And when poetry does this, it acquires a purpose far greater than mere self-expression. It can enlighten, move, challenge, influence, console, awaken, and transform. It can make us question ourselves and the world around us. It can give words to emotions we were unable to articulate. It can offer comfort in moments of darkness and inspire courage when hope seems distant. At times, a poem may even change the way a reader sees life. For me, that is the highest achievement of a poet, not simply to write beautiful lines, but to create something that continues to live in the minds and hearts of others. A poet becomes memorable when the words cease to belong exclusively to the poet and become part of the reader's own inner world. If his words can enlighten, touch, challenge, or inspire generations of readers, then the poet has achieved something very rare. The poet may be mortal, but poetry has the power to outlive the poet.

NILAVRONILL: How would you evaluate your contemporaries and what are your aspirations for or expectation from the younger generation?

HARINDER CHEEMA: It feels wonderful to see how much is happening in the world of poetry today. There is a renewed energy, openness, and diversity in contemporary poetry, and it is especially encouraging to connect with poets from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds. Despite our geographical and cultural differences, it is striking to see how many of us are thinking about the same concerns that shape our lives and our times. Poets today are writing about issues that cannot be ignored -environmental degradation, climate change, gender inequality, violence and crimes against women, social injustice, and the growing misuse of technology. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence has also opened up new questions about creativity, originality, ethics, and what it means to be human. Alongside these contemporary concerns, poets continue to explore deeper questions about spiritual sterility, moral decline, loneliness, compassion, and the loss of human values. This makes contemporary poetry particularly significant. Poetry is no longer seen merely as a private passion or an aesthetic exercise. Increasingly, it is being understood as a purpose, a means of engaging with the world, questioning what is wrong, creating awareness, and perhaps even contributing, in its own small way, to healing a wounded world. A poem may not change the world overnight, but it can change the way one person sees the world. And sometimes, that is where meaningful change begins. I find the younger generation of poets especially exciting. They are often more experimental, creative, fearless, and direct in their expression. They are not afraid to question established ideas or explore subjects that earlier generations may have approached more cautiously. They are also using new forms, digital spaces, and emerging technologies to reach readers and create communities across geographical boundaries. Their poetry reflects the rapidly changing world they inhabit, and in doing so, it brings a fresh sensibility to literature. However, in a world where so many voices are constantly competing for attention, becoming a truly unique poetic voice is not simply a matter of being different for the sake of being different. It requires honesty, originality, and authenticity. A poet must have the courage to write from a place that is genuinely his or her own. I believe readers can sense when poetry comes from lived experience and sincere feeling, and they can also sense when words are merely being used to create an impression. We write poetry, but poetry also writes something within us. It makes us more observant, more questioning, more compassionate, and sometimes more courageous. If we allow it to, poetry can change not only the way we write, but also the way we live. If poetry can awaken that humanity within us, then it has already begun to fulfil its deepest purpose.

NILAVRONILL: We are almost at the end of the interview. I remain obliged to you for your participation. Thank you for sharing your views and spending much time with us.

HARINDER CHEEMA: It has been an absolute pleasure discussing my favorite subject - "POETRY”. Thank you so much for your thought-provoking questions and for having me here. I truly appreciate the opportunity. My very best wishes for all your future endeavors.

 

HARINDER CHEEMA: is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist, author, editor, anchor, and motivational speaker. A distinguished Naji Naaman Laureate, she is recognized among prominent global literary voices and has been featured in 50 Memorable Women, Asia by the Stockholm Project. Her work has also been showcased by the prestigious Farsala Academy, Greece and Café Philo, New Delhi and her name and work finds a place of pride in "Vibrant Voices", a poetry anthology of contemporary Indian Women poets published by the Sahitya Akademi. Her poetry has been translated into numerous national and international languages, reflecting its wide resonance across cultures. As a motivational speaker, she has been invited by several colleges and universities across India, where she inspires audiences with her literary insight and thought leadership. She has also graced various national and international literary festivals as a distinguished guest. With a rich body of work and a profound literary presence, she is a proud recipient of numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions in the field of literature.