POETRY BEYOND BORDERS-IX

EWITH BAHAR

&

JYOTIRMAYA THAKUR

ABOUT EWITH BAHAR

Ewith Bahar is a multi award-winning poet, novelist, translator and essayist from Indonesia, with a long time career in radio and television industry, as script-writer, interviewer and anchor. Prior to joining RCTI (The biggest private TV station in Indonesia) in 2004, she previously was a host for several musical and cultural programs for TVRI (Indonesian  government TV station). Ewith was one of TVRI’s announcers who was often sent to be master of ceremonies at presidential palace, ministries and embassies, conveyed in Indonesian or English. She has published eleven books, in all genres: poetry, novel, short stories, and essays. Her poems were published in many newspapers, journals and online medias, home and abroad. And also can be found in approximately 90 poetry anthologies in Indonesia and international level. She’s also editor for more than ten poetry anthologies since 2014. The recent ones, as co-editor for poetry book with hundreds of poets from five continents, World Contemporary Poets, and as editor-in-chief for World Poets’ Legacy, that gathered almost two hundreds international poets. Many of her poems have been translated into foreign languages, such as English, Spanish, Indian, Serbian, Armenian, Uzbek, Tajikistan, Bengali, Nepali, French, Italian, Arabian, Chinese, Catalan, Bulgarian, Montenegrin, Macedonian and Korean. One of her poetry books, Sonata Borobudur, got a prestigious prize from Indonesian National Library as The Best Five Indonesian Poetry Books 2019. 2021 and 2022, she won third place in the two essay writing competitions, each on literature and insurance. And in 2023, her another book, Impromptu Terzina, won the top literary prize "Anugerah Buku Puisi Terbaik" (The Best Poetry Book) from Indonesia Poetry Day Foundation. As a literary activist, she joined many  international literary associations and communities. She is a secretary general of Poetry and Literature World Vision; once appointed as a member of Organizing Committee of yearly Panorama International Literature Festival in 2021, 2022 and 2024, organized by Writers Capital Foundation, as a prominent collaborative event between India and Italy. August 2021, she obtained an honor as a keynote speaker, conveyed virtually, in a K.M. Anthru International Literary Prize in India. She is now active in KaBi (Kanal Buku Indonesia – Indonesian Book Channel) and as a public speaker for creative writing, communications and bibliotherapy.

**************

ENCOMIUM - JYOTIRMAYA THAKUR

A nubile mind from east India set out on a journey across the world some 30 years ago. On the way she collected postcards of life in her heart, scribbling notes, keeping a montage of impressions in her head, inhaling the intensity of the passage of days. With tiny brushstrokes, her canvas was coming to life. The real merged with the surreal. And a writer was born. If she seems like a lady with a vision to me today, the tomes of her work testify to my instincts. I came across her poetry some years back. I was intrigued enough to delve into the net for more on her. Soon I found a literary site citing prominent contemporary authors. There was a post with her bio. I became her ardent follower.

The cerebral power of Jyotirmaya Thakur is enhanced by her philosophical and meditative sides. As intuitive as she is, her capacity for understanding and reflecting on the smorgasbord of life with its twists and turns, peopled by humans in 50 shades of grey, is immense. Long years in academia gave her exposure to both impressionable minds and the pressures on them. Being a mentor to them was a life experience she was to cherish. Her continued tryst with learning all her life gave her the insight and knowledge she wished to impart to her wards. As a Principal of a Cambridge- affiliated school, she had a dream run. Enough to satisfy many great people. Education was the keystone to change lives and societies. But for Jyotirmaya the explosion was yet to happen.

Years of expertise in imparting education emerged into a persona who was pulsating to explore other arenas. She states,

"Yes, my first quest or passion was for literature of the world and second, but not less, was to study philosophy, so I got the highest marks in Philosophy. Later, I was very influenced by Buddhism. Studied Jainism and Judaism also. I admire the spirit of Israel and Jews for surviving despite so much displacement and facing the holocaust."

Jyotirmaya Thakur -The name embodies an auspicious, holy light. This perhaps is also her latent mission in life. For a poet, academic, motivational writer, researcher and commentator at a global level, her influence can be established from her 50 published books, hundred-plus anthologies and diverse dissertations on peace, ethics, duty, humanity, nature, existence, spirituality, literature, culture and brotherhood. Her innate writing skills soon found expression. It began with her intensive training in Reiki healing. A series of books by her saw the light of day. The healing touch of Jyotirmaya Thakur had begun to spread.

Today, with her 51st book on the way to the press, she has written intensively in eight genres. Strict in her respect and adherence to great literature and its forms and norms, her experience of a wide range of people gives her a modern and free approach to expression. Her poetry is reflective, pensive, persuasive. Her prose is sharp, impactful and introspective. Metre and rhyme merge with motifs of minds representing both East and West. Sympathetic at all times, but gently leading onto light, she guides even as she gropes through pain and disappointment, duty and diligence, morality and the man. The micro and macro make a mosaic of many hues in her works. She guides even as she grapples with the myriad events unfolding around her. Her sphere of influence has spread around the world. As accolades and appreciation poured in, her duties to the global society grew. As a distinguished member of umpteen international literary forums, she became a key reference point for literary events and discourses. Her extensive work on brotherhood and amity began to be noticed. And her role as Peace Ambassador in multiple organisations gave her the leverage she needed.

As a voice of conviction and amity today, she's noteworthy. Always uplifting, focused and actively promoting peace and fellowship, she interacts with the literary and civil society luminaries to impart a healing touch to people in pain, trauma and confusion. Her regular posts on ethical and practical purposes in life show the range and depth of her understanding of the world. Its dilemmas and dichotomy is not lost on her. She deals with them gently, but also directly. In all her writings, she imparts something of value. Hers is not a complex weave of inscrutable metaphors and convoluted vocabulary. She speaks from her soul and connects to people instantly. Her works are transparent in their message. The clarity of her expression showcases her intelligence as well as her intellectual capacity. She talks simply. To be understood. And she delivers. 

Empathy is what she propagates. Hardships undergone have made her more sympathetic to turbulence in society. But her motivation and determination have not wilted. Spirituality has been key in her development all her life. As she matured, this became her fundamental strength to imbibe and impart wisdom. Now she has been translated into 40 languages and is an official translator too for Ithaca, Spain.

She does not ignore the existence of trials and travails in life. But she has ventured on a mission to explore the methodology to overcome challenges. She shows how to focus on continuous growth and development, healing and happiness, giving and gratitude. With paeans to the Almighty, she professes meditation to alleviate pain. Her odes to humanity, peace, ethics, duty, nature, existence, spirituality, literature, culture and brotherhood all project the values of love, humility, simplicity and generosity. Kindness is the leitmotif of her work.

Alongside her hundreds of poems and prose pieces in her own books, literary sites and 150 international anthologies of significance, she's now penned her latest series called Journal, a 4-volume manual - Spiritual;  Gratitude; Discovery and Inspiration. Her vision is clear. She has chosen her path. Cleared the roses of its thorns. There's work ahead. And she intends to complete the journey she has set her heart on.

Her gentle, persuasive philosophies put her in a pole position in the international literary fraternity. As a Peace Ambassador, her prolific and prolonged effort is to make a difference in thinking among common people. Based in the United Kingdom, she's a Master's in English Literature from her homeland, India. As a veteran Principal in a Cambridge-affiliated school , she was a mentor of young minds. Her extensive reading, her various qualifications, her simplicity and accessibility combine to make her a thinker and writer of influence.

The bilingual author writes extensively in five genres and has been translated into forty languages. She's won numerous global accolades from literary and social organisations. She serves as advisor and President on the boards of prestigious global committees

****************

LIST OF POEMS

The Body I Don’t Belong
The Meditation
The Hidden Strength
Victory
Somebody In the Mirror
A Future
The Sound
Confession
From the Prisoner’s Window
Too Much Changes
Ultimate Aim of Happiness
Myself and God
Eternal Dream
Teacher
Barter Transaction
In Silence
An Apology Roses
The First Blush of the Morning
The Aroma of Seine
A Scream From the Forest
Blood Lilies and Dahlias
I am Thankful For Being A Woman
Mama
Mozart
Rimsky Korsakov’s Piece
1001 Nights
Scheherazade and Syahriar
Their Tears
And Peace Becomes Luxury
War Field  In Mouths
Inner Stillness
Absurdity
My Lungs And Heart Are On Fire
Love
Destiny
Sublime Romanticism
A Fluffy Blanket of Romanticism
A Peaceful Sleep
Midnight - Midday
CASTAWAY WOODS
SUN AND MOON
BREAKING DAWN
ROBES OF NIGHT
FALLEN TREE
THE ROCKS
ROSE GARDEN
STONES REMEMBER
MIST
MID MORNING MOON
SEASHORE
THUNDER
VILLAGE RIVER
VINEYARD
WHISPERING WAVES
WATERLESS
WINTERS CALL
ANNABELLE FLOWERS
HYACINTHS
SWEET FIGS
MIMOSA FLOWERS
LITTLE SUNBEAM
APPLE TREE
AFTER THE RAIN
CONCH SHELLS
CONSERVATION
COUNTRY LANE
DANDELIONS
DELTA
DEWDROPS
PEEPAL TREE