Dr. Santosh Kumar has successfully shown that he has both a good understanding of the classical form and literary history of the haiku as an art form, and more importantly possesses the literary experience, expertise, sensitivity and dexterity required to update and further develop this classical art form in his own way – thus both ensnaring and enticing the reader to join him in his own contemporary pas de deux, expressive of the wonders and dilemmas of today's social, spiritual and psychological experience. This resonance in the reader/audience, together with the «magic» of boundless possibilities, is essential to the success and the survival of the artist's expression as a «living, and ever changing» organism.
Author: Santosh Kumar
Front Cover: TheaterOfCrueltyNOH AZSACRA
Binding: Paperback (pp: 52)
ISBN: 978-81-903812-0-8
Availability: In Stock (Ships within 1 to 2 days)
Publisher: Rochak Publishing, India
Pub. Date: 2008
Condition: New
Description: NEW UTOPIA .. MORE THAN A MERE "HAIKU MOMENT"
Dr. Santosh Kumar has successfully shown that he has both a good understanding of the classical form and literary history of the haiku as an art form, and more importantly possesses the literary experience, expertise, sensitivity and dexterity required to update and further develop this classical art form in his own way – thus both ensnaring and enticing the reader to join him in his own contemporary pas de deux, expressive of the wonders and dilemmas of today's social, spiritual and psychological experience. This resonance in the reader/audience, together with the «magic» of boundless possibilities, is essential to the success and the survival of the artist's expression as a «living, and ever changing» organism.
I would encourage readers of this gem of a book to put away their musical scores and mathematical-literary formulas, to momentarily forget their guardianship of the more restrictive regulations regarding classical haiku-writing .. and even to attempt to avoid the perils of getting "stuck" in the search for the perfect «haiku moment», as that could possibly inhibit one's ability to recognize (and co-create) the essence of the poem. Furthermore, I would encourage the reader to try to see all poems in this book as being integral and connected parts of the entire artistic work. Although these individual works function quite well on their own, there is even greater "music" to be heard in discovering the silent transitions from haiku to haiku .. and experiencing the work in its totality: a comprehensive mural which rivals the frescoes of the greatest known and un-named painters from several centuries ago: yes, a haunting image dating from the earliest cave-dweller paintings on record to the Renaissance and Classical periods to Post Modern expressionism.
– Adam Donaldson Powell
Excerpt
HAIKU
dove in a garden enclosed
lives in lord’s temple:
virgin mary
nuke-capable fire
kills every thing
except suicide bomber
ten headed devil
talks of peace-
before attack
that ambush
that stratagem
satan explodes bomb
Professional Reviews
New Utopia Haiku: By Santosh Kumar (1/15/08)
Reviewed by Joseph S. Spence, Sr., Trilogy Poetic Literature & Thoughts
Staring with the Endless Helix lines by Ban’ya Natsuishi and the End of Summer by Sayumi Kamakura, to the forward by Adam Donaldson Powell, which sets the stage for this excellent book of haiku, the reader has a lot to experience with the literary movements of contemporary haiku poetry. The interrelationship of the elements at work, and the collective beauty of God’s natural creations are exemplified in a grand manner between the inspirational lines of haiku in this creative text. One must read it to experience it with a smile. With spirituality haiku flowing from the bodhi tree; to imaginative bird noises within the tree; seeing an orphan child’s cheek; understanding the butterfly quest for nectar; and, living in God’s temple, the array of haiku poems in this text is uplifting to the soul. One must not forget the glossary for further understanding of words in the text. This is an excellent haiku book for everyone to read with joy and to smile while reading. Santosh Kumar has out performed himself on this one!
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