Mosaic is a picture or pattern produced by arranging small stone, tile, glass, etc. It is what the poet in film-maker Manish Mundra has done in his book of poems- Mosaic. Before I talk of the poems, I would like to draw attention to brilliant illustrations by Mayuri Shahane; fifty-plus illustrations maintain a pattern, perfectly capturing their essence. The doodler in me really appreciated these sketches.
I always believed, if stories do justice to incidents and episodes, a poem, on the other hand, is primarily a device for emotive expressions. Poetry emerges from the heart. On the impact scale, both may deliver a similar experience to the audience. There is a polarisation among readers liking poetry or stories. A poet needs to open up, be emotionally transparent before the audience. Yet, as Pritish Nandy says in his foreword, few dare to share and publish them. Reading this, I, too, have found the courage to re-visit the poems I wrote at different life phases and consider publishing them.
I have heard of Manish Mundra but really did not know him. The author’s page came to the rescue, introducing him as a creative person who writes, paints, captures images in his photographs, and makes movies. This sent me to the internet for more information. I realised he is the producer behind films like Ankhon Dekhi, Masaan, Waiting, Newton, Rukh, and Kadvi Hawa that I have watched and appreciated. Moreover, Wikipedia also tells that Manish was CEO (Africa)and MD of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, Nigeria. This additional information on the poet made reading the book more interesting for me.
The poems by Manish Mundra in Moasic flow smoothly and use simple language. However, within those words are polarised thoughts and emotions. Too polarised for me. And they then create an impact that lingers with you. Many of them resonate as I could relate to them. Feeling, how could he borrow or steal my feelings.
If you like poetry, go pick the book. Mosaic, by Manish Mundra, published by Ratioauream. INR 499.
Disclaimer. The book was sent by Indic Academy and Indic Book Club under the Thousand Reviewers Club initiative.
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