How We Measured Time by Sivakami Velliangiri: A Memoir, A Review

The author, Sivakami Velliangiri, a dear friend of mine of more than a quarter century is bonded poetically. Be it by the publications we get published in or the innumerable poems that we have written and read in poetry clubs. Until COVID stepped in we were time-immemorial regulars at The British Council reading poetry by all and sundry every month. We also met on the beach with our poetry books reading poetry aloud!

So, it was with great pride that I got to read some of her beautiful poems from her debut book, How We Measured Time, at her book launch. Do not get deceived by the slim size of the book. It is filled with blasting emotions that leave you astonished, moved that there was someone who could write on the special relationship between mother and daughter and simultaneously throw light on the world of mental disorders that not only brought pain with it but also, united emotions thrown in complete disarray.

Javits, Indrani, and I were privileged to introduce the poet’s poetry to the esteemed gathering by reading her poems. Somehow, it wasn’t about Sivakami and her mother anymore.

The sprinkling of Tamil words in the poetry, the honesty chopped and mixed in a batter of time frozen in childhood brought with it an aroma of moments that we all could identify with in our own little ways.

The poems mentioned in the book are not mere lines or emotions put to paper. They are precious jewels that Sivakami has been carrying close to her chest for a very long time. “Writing these poems has definitely been cathartic,” she said when questioned by the audience. Hesitation, wit and, the courage to lay bare all that one would usually hide in one’s family chest reflects on the transparent personality of the poet and in turn, her reflective, charming poetry.

In a conversation with poet, physician, Prabakar Thyagarajan, the poet revealed the reasons and the person behind the beautiful poetry.

In conversation

Ranvir Shah of Prakriti Foundation released the first copy of her book.

Sivakami Velliangiri was born in Madras, raised in Thiruvananthapuram and now lives in Chennai. Her works have appeared in magazines such as Asia Literary Review, The Little Magazine, Vayavya, Indian Literature, and in several Indian and international anthologies. She is one of the poets featured in The Penguin Book of Indian Poets (2022) edited by Jeet Thayil. In 2005, Lily Literary Review published her online chapbook In My Midriff.

Name of Book: How We Measured Time

Author: Sivakami Velliangiri

Publication : Paperwall Media and Publishing Pvt. Ltd