Graphic Poetry

Figure of an intricately-drawn dragon features alongside a haiku that describes the fire-breathing beast’s ability to destroy and create again. In another set of graphic artwork combined with verses, a snail’s shy nature and its need to guard itself by staying in shell has inspired another poem. These and many such graphic artworks have been combined with poetry by mother-son duo Purabi Das and Amrit
Patnaik in their book The Plumed  Serpent and other poems (Rs 155) by Bird’s Nest publications.

Das, who has been writing poetry since the age of nine, chanced upon her son’s doodles inspired by the fantasy-filled world of anime and Manga characters. The collection explores themes such as love, life, beauty, freedom, birth and death — all of which find references in anime and manga series that are hugely popular among teenagers. “Like any other mother, I would be furious when Amrit would fill his study books with these doodles. However, when I looked at them again, I had this strong desire to pen my thoughts as I found them to be extremely creative and inspiring,” says Das.

With this book, available online, Das has tried to interpret art, which is relevant to a generation that is influenced by these Japanese animated productions. Most of the artwork features motifs such as dragons, snakes, scythes, swords and knives that are often found in anime and Manga artworks. The corresponding poetry captures this imagery. Whether you choose to look at the artwork first and read the verses later or vice versa, the interpretation of both elements have been left to the reader as all the poems are untitled.

“Amrit’s sketches spoke to me and the poetry is my interpretation of his artwork. It is similar to when when one looks at clouds and one tries to see shapes in them,” says Das, who published her first collection of poetry titled Quest during her college days. The duo is also planning to collaborate on a collection of children’s stories. “I grew up with two extremely naughty siblings. Their growing up years were full of funny stories that can make for an interesting book that children will enjoy reading,” says Das.

meenakshi.iyer@expressindia.com