Even God Needs Work to Do

By the time I was six, my father, a hobbyist in palmistry, was

convinced I was a "born artist". That prompted him to enrol me

in one of Chennai's reputed institutions in classical dancing.

The sensitivities I gained thereafter through the training I

received in two different classical dance forms, followed by my

pursuits in singing, acting, photography,

craft, public speaking, painting and a

career in advertising, eventually found

common ground in poetry-writing. Dance,

in particular, did much to influence my

feelings about the Supreme Being whose

implied presence in many of my poems,

finds its way through praise, loving

complaint and even frustration.

I think this world is beautiful notwithstanding the pain, poverty

and persecution because the goodness overwhelms what is bad.

I see beauty in the most ordinary things in life even as I walk

by on the road. In fact, many of the poems I have written have

been inspired by the endearing sights I have been exposed to on

the roadside.

I am greatly troubled to think that I should soon be gone --- there

are too many things to see, love, admire, ponder over and enjoy

on this earth! This book of poems, to say the least, is an open,

unstoppable celebration of life!