Year: 2013
Place: My School
Period: English
My English teacher, Charu Maam was always my favourite. Not only did she excel in her subject but held the same level of knowledge in other subjects as well. One day she gave us a task of writing poetry on the topic: My class. Almost the entire class wrote it. Within just 25 minutes, I wrote it too. I went home, elongated it and made it a 2-page poetry. That was the moment I realized, I could write. Since then, the journey has been veracious.
From wishing my favourite Author a silly good morning on his Facebook block to becoming a heartbroken writer, I kept writing. Initially, thoughts would come as bits and pieces and eventually, they grew from a seed to a tree. Now there is an ocean of thoughts in my head.
I still wonder what term I should give myself under the sub-category of a writer. Someone who writes from the heart, someone from the era of Gulzar, or just an old-school type. When things grow one way, it might start depleting the root essence. I might be wrong but seeing the upsurge in the content industry, I sometimes feel that the spark of traditional writing needs re-ignition. A virtual high-five if you feel the same.
Writing is a natural flair instilled within me. I haven’t “learned” it but now since I am professionally a Content writer, it has made me realise that research and optimization are what matters more. Writing is just 20% of the entire game. I identify myself for my writing abilities, integrity, and wide range of interests. Along with earning my degree, my passion and enthusiasm earned me the title of co-author of numerous anthologies. In my work, I discovered that every major component has a plethora of minor details that require accuracy and clarification to frame the significant part appropriately.
It is believed that to see the bigger picture, observe the environment around you as it could teach you something that might result in a larger purpose. Hence seeing my friends being good at something or the other urged me to resume my journey of writing. Since then, the journey has been rigid, smooth, full of harsh falls, and optimistic days. I am lucky enough to taste the medicine and fruits of life simultaneously.
In this journey, I found the true purpose of my life. A purpose that brings me back whenever I go off-track and become a non-believer of predictions but a partial believer of destiny that truly reserves some parts is how I embraced spiritual teachings. I believe that every writer has a story to tell that serves as a powerful weapon, akin to impenetrable armor, offering protection and strength in the face of the most challenging circumstances. While writing alone has the power of healing when combined with self-awakening, it can do wonders. I always try to craft my words in a way that is contagious and powerful to inspire hope in the world.
They say a pen is the most powerful weapon of a writer. Hence, I always enjoy writing about topics that bring something to light the inner flame that drives me to spread optimism and affection. Some of these include Sustainability, Wellness, Life Sciences, etc.
With time it steadily came to my attention that every transformational story resonates with the teachings of Srimad Bhagvatam. “The Abode of universal energies, the superior, the recitation of lord Krishna”, this holy book teach us the way of life. The history and culture of India lie in a place that is far away from our imagination so all in all what comes front is the result of human exploration. Be it the concept of Stoicism in Greek Philosophy or the Law of Conservation of Energy in Science, the foundation of all the theories and the preface of all the self-help literature is stated on every single page of the Bhagavatam.
While Spirituality is somewhere inclined towards our connectedness with the highest being present in the external realm, “Adhyatam” says that this higher being is within us and therefore it teaches the importance of shifting the focus from the outside world towards the self. The soul is not mind, neither heart nor body. It is the purest entity lying within us yet distant from us.
More than a hobby, a passion, writing is like a true friend to me. A friend who listens without judgement and keeps all your secrets. My poetries are closest to my heart because they come straight away from my soul which is sometimes broken and sometimes rigid. To hold my readers’ hands and march forward this is the never-ending gifted journey of my life.
Here’s a hierarchy of Indian Literature I tried to portray:
Ramayan se Mahabharat tak
Sikha gaye Bhakti ki Vani,
Shakuntala Kalidasa ne
Toh Yoga Sutra Patanjali ne Pali.
Jo Buddhi ka Strot kehlaye, Vahi Arthashastra hai
Kautilya sa Gyani
Kya tumne suni wo Khani?
Dohe aur Bhakti ki Mithas
Kabir aur Mira ne Jaani,
Ram sa Charitra ab har Manas mein Samaya
Yahi thi Tulsidas ki Jubani.
Gita ka Anjal har daur mein ayega
Tagore ka Nobel zoro se shor machayega,
Anandmath ki gunj lagaye
Chal pade the Bankim Chandra.
Bharat Kokila ka taj sajaye
Jiye sarojini hum sab ke lliye,
Apne fate joote lekar
Premchand Godan ko Chal diye.
Khoob ladi mardani thi wo, Subhadra ki zubani thi,
Gulzar ke nagmo ne yaaro, na jaane kitno ke dil siye.
No Matter into how huge technical “industry”, writing has evolved, the traditional form shall remain on the pedestal. Right from Rishi Valmiki who wrote the legendary Ramayan around 200 BCE, there’s an infinite list of writers from India. So no matter what piece of Content you are working on, let’s pledge to never forget our roots.
-SHRADDHA THUWAL
People can reach out through
Mail- shraddhathuwal98@gmail.com