BOOK REVIEW OF HARMONY AND HOME ALONE BY AABHA VASTA MIDHA.

About the Book
 

Harmony is the author's debut as a published poet. An anthology of 38 poems, it is a collection of contemporary poetry which is both delicate and bold. The poems have a wide milieu, ranging from the dipped in love, 'My first Lover' to the 'The Empowered Woman' giving a call to women to rise above patriarchy, from 'Harmony' gently warning man about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence to 'Gratitude' asking the reader to court one's blessings in life.

The contemporary poems written in free style will both delight and make you ponder about the message s locked in each poem. Harmony has all the attributes of a desirable poetry product.

About the Author

Aabha Vatsa Midha is a post-graduate in Pure Sciences based in Faridabad. She is an ex-teacher, a blogger, a poet and an author. She grew up in Allahabad and Zambia imbibing diverse cultures. Her first published work is a travelogue on Amarnath titiled Barfani Baba, To Amaranth Happily which was published in 2013. She is a quintessential lover of life and is married with two daughters.
You can reach her at aabhavatsa@gmail.com



 Review

 "Harmony" begins with a preface that sketches the journey of the poet that led to the penning of her poetry book. After her stint at poetry as a kid, it was a couple of years back that she started writing poems, again.

This book contains 38 poems of varied themes - from nature to devotional, social and personal. What stands out in almost all her poems is the refrain. They have at times served the purpose of emphasis, but at many places become unnecessary repetition...which could have been avoided.

The poems are easy to understand. They are short and to the point. Belief in self and in the divine, the power of the stoic soul, of finding happiness within, being a mother...these are some of the themes that are repeated.

For me personally, The Empowered Woman is one poem that stood out. It has a powerful message to the society keeping in mind the current social scenario.

"Do not take away
My right to think
Do not take away
My right to walk with freedom

I seek no master
I seek no approval
All I desire
Is my voice be heard."

With life passing us by in a speed which we cannot comprehend at times, we keeping wishing for a break either in form of a vacation or just some time spent with ourselves...Interlude is one such poem where the poet who has been searching for this break finds it, reveals in it and has the wisdom to accept that it is short lived and waits for it to pass by again. We can sense her child-like glee in this poem.

"You seemed
Like
The sweet fresh wind
As I gathered
My wits.
I decided
Your gentle ways
Were meant for me

I took advantage
To the full
As if running
In mustard fields
My heart full of
Gaiety."

You Sang to Me is a romantic poem and it tugged at my heart in a way we all can relate to this feeling making you caught up in this whirlwind yourself.

"You sang to me
The love song
In a language
Alien to me
But I felt my heart flutter
To your melody."

Verdict
Aabha is an upcoming poet with a lot of potential. This book makes it a light read. 

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Authorspress (2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8172739710
• ISBN-13: 978-8172739713

HOME ALONE.

 About the Book
 

Home Alone is the author's second poetry book. A melange of 34 poems ranging from prayers to mindless slaughter of cows in Nepal.

The book starts by invoking the Goddess of learning, art and music, Saraswati and covers a spectrum of topics. From the intense 'Lost Passion' to the happy 'Picnic'. From the though provoking 'Prejudice' to the delightful 'The Orchard'. From the warm and glowing 'Home Alone' to the sell motivating 'Awake! Arise!'. Home Alone will delight and appeal to one and all.

Review
This book too has varied themes but a few poems are written about her daughter who recently got married. The book starts with an invocation to Goddess Saraswathi.

Since her first book, the poet shows a marked growth and touches the right cords. But again the refrains are too many and repetitive.

Scars is a poem that again deals with the plight of the women in general. The way we are expected to sacrifice our dreams and aspirations for the sake of others just because we are women.

"I know of many scars
Of cheated practices
Of undermined appreciation
And forgotten dreams."

Towards Light is about the realization of self-worth and breaking free.

"Sifted through controversy
And heartache
No more of your
Capricious tantrums
I choose to walk in light
Walk towards light."

The Burden again is a woman centric poem which highlights the plight of women who are made to hide behind the veil...and the veil does not actually mean anything except oppression.

"Would she ever get freedom
Like her enviable counterparts?
The Purdah
The Veil
The Scarf
Heaved a sigh of wanting
Would the burden ever be released?"

Verdict

The poet has done a good job of talking about the women and the societal status she has in many religions. Aabha has a way with portraying sensitive issues and it hits you hard. There are some spelling mistakes in both the books though which has to be looked into. A good read.

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Authorspress (2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 935207002X
• ISBN-13: 978-9352070022