Crafting Ideas: Embracing prose as my medium of expression

Soumya Salek, a gifted poet of our time, constantly immerses himself in self-reflection and personal growth, always exploring new ideas. In addition to his poetic works, he has also penned insightful essays on literature. His passion for poetry ignited at a tender age, and he has since published five remarkable books of poetry. Not only that, he has also shared his thoughts through a book of essays and a captivating travelogue. Currently, Soumya serves as an esteemed officer at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, showcasing his dedication to the arts. Born on February 27, 1987, in the quaint village of Tetiya in Kachua upazila of Chandpur, Soumya recently sat down with Views Bangladesh during the book fair to discuss his artistic journey and his profound connection to poetry. The interview was conducted by Kamrul Ahsan, a distinguished co-editor and fiction writer.

Views Bangladesh: So, Soumya, I'm curious about your writing journey. How is it going?
Soumya Salek: Well, I primarily focus on writing poetry. I believe poetry is something that flows naturally and spontaneously. Whenever I feel inspired or overwhelmed, I capture those emotions in a little note, and eventually, it evolves into a complete poem. Apart from poetry, I have also been honing my skills in essay writing for quite some time now. Although I have been a bit neglectful lately due to some temporary busyness, I aspire to maintain a consistent practice and continue improving.

Views Bangladesh: How did you develop your passion for writing?
Soumya Salek: Well, it all started in my childhood. I remember writing my first rhyme when I was in class seven. Although I can't recall the exact next line, it went something like, "Nowadays boys can do everything if they ask." I guess reading rhymes in textbooks influenced me to explore my creativity through writing.

Views Bangladesh: Can you share with us when you first realized that you would become a poet?
Soumya Salek: The journey towards becoming a poet has been a bit uncertain for me. However, my inspiration for writing poetry stems from my uncle, Nurul Islam B.Sc. Even before that, my grandmother used to recite rhymes that many boys had forgotten when she was a child. Rhymes like "Ghum parani song" and "Baromasi song". But it was my uncle who truly ignited the spirit of poetry within me. Being a school teacher, he would often recite poetry, especially the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam. Poems like "Kandari Hushiyar", “Bidrohi", "Daridro", and "Kamal Pasha" left a lasting impact on me. His recitation, with his powerful voice, had an irresistible appeal. It was through his influence that my love for poetry was born. Unknowingly, I started writing numerous poems while still in my early years of education.
Another significant factor in my journey was a dear teacher I got close to during my college years, Manzurul Islam Sir. He, too, had a deep love for poetry and had a good understanding of rhythm. One day, he overheard me writing poetry and invited me to his house after the exams were over. He offered to teach me the intricacies of rhythm, providing me with personalized guidance. However, after teaching me the rhythm, he advised me to explore prose poems. He was a very modern man and understood that contemporary poetry often takes the form of prose.

Views Bangladesh: So, Soumya, it seems that there has been a shift in the style of poetry in Bangladesh, with most poems now being written in prose without rhyme. What do you think is driving this change?
Soumya Salek: Well, I believe that rhyming in poetry showcases a poet's skill, but it also has its limitations. Rhythm sometimes fails to properly convey the intended meaning and can restrict the use of imagery. Maintaining the rhythm often requires sacrificing the depth and coherence of thoughts. On the other hand, prose poetry allows for more freedom of expression. It enables poets to convey their message in a concise manner, without the constraints of rhyme. Rhyme poetry can be impactful, but it may lack the seriousness and depth that prose poetry offers. Personally, I write prose poetry to better express my thoughts, although I have also written poems in rhyme. However, it is important to note that simply writing in prose does not automatically make it poetry. Prose also has its own rhythm, and unfortunately, the prose of many contemporary poets reads more like a newspaper report than poetry.

Views Bangladesh: What are some of the characteristics that you have observed in recent poetry that sets it apart from poetry of the past?
Soumya Salek: In recent poetry, I have noticed a strong influence of older poets, particularly Jibanananda Das. However, there has also been a significant focus on the examination of language in the past twenty years. Some poets have attempted to create a form of poetry that resembles sculpture, much like Michelangelo spoke through stone. This trend in recent poetry aims to establish life in inanimate objects and explore how they can communicate with us. The effort to create vivid and evocative imagery has become more prominent.
Poetry, at its core, consists of both speech and feeling. However, not all feelings can be easily expressed through language, as it has its limitations. For instance, the pain of losing a loved one cannot be adequately conveyed through words alone. Nevertheless, poets strive to overcome this limitation by creating a language of their own, using images and symbols that can only be understood by those who possess a certain sensitivity. This can sometimes make it challenging for the general audience to fully grasp the meaning behind the poetry.
Poets have the freedom to explore and express themselves in their own unique ways. However, personally, I try to maintain a connection with the reader by incorporating mnemonic elements in my poetry. This helps to establish a sense of familiarity and resonance with the audience.

Views Bangladesh: At one time poets were thought to be vagrants, wanderers; But, looking at many modern poets, corporate mindset. As a senior officer of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and a poet, how would you describe your poetry life?
Soumya Salek: Poetry is not just a hobby for me, it is my true calling. I believe that every human thought holds a certain mystery within it, and it is this mystery that I strive to capture in my writing. In a world filled with artificiality and superficiality, poetry allows me to delve deep into my imagination and embrace that sense of wonder. It is a vow I have made to myself to always cherish and nurture this creative process.
Whenever I have some free time, I make it a point to introspect and connect with my inner self. It is during these moments that I truly feel alive and in tune with my poetic spirit. If given the opportunity, I would dedicate my entire life to these four passions - traveling, thinking, reading, and writing. These activities bring me immense joy and fulfillment, and I have always prioritized them above anything else.
Of course, I understand the importance of fulfilling my family responsibilities and I do so diligently. However, my ultimate devotion lies in these four pursuits. They are not just activities for me, but rather a way of life. I believe that by living beyond the limitations imposed upon us, we can truly experience the essence of our existence. So, for me, poetry is not just a part of my life, it is my life itself.

Views Bangladesh: How responsible are your books in terms of publishing isolated poems throughout the years as poetry books, without any specific plan or subject?
Soumya Salek: Well, I must admit that the process of publishing my poetry books lacks proper planning due to time constraints. Unlike earlier poets who wrote poems based on specific subjects or feelings, my poems are written in isolation, whenever that particular feeling is awakened within me. This lack of a predetermined time frame for writing poems is a result of the separation of time and the differences it brings. Similar to many other poets, my poetry books also reflect this approach. However, I strive to maintain a certain consistency in my poems, even if they may seem disjointed. This consistency is evident in the titles of my books, which serve as a unifying factor.

Views Bangladesh: View Bangladesh: What is your chance of survival in Bengali literature? How is your confidence?
Soumya Salek: It is difficult to determine the longevity of my poetry. I strive to convey my knowledge and wisdom through my writing to the best of my ability. Whether or not my poetry reaches people will depend on luck. Only time will reveal how long my poetry will endure. However, I do not consider it a misfortune if my work does not reach a wide audience. I have a poem that goes, "Deep in the forest there are some birds, nobody knows they sing, they sing in their joy." This is how I approach my practice. I will continue writing for my own happiness, and if it resonates with someone, it will be a source of contentment.

Views Bangladesh: None of your books are being published in this year's book fair. Do you have any regrets about this?
Soumya Salek: No, I do not believe books should be published every year. My previous books are already available at the fair. I am currently preparing diligently for my next book. Although I had a manuscript for an essay, I decided not to publish it. Instead, I plan to write additional articles and revise my previous ones gradually.