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The core of life is to find the flame: Rochelle Potkar
Updated on: 19 August, 2016 12:07 PM IST |
Fiction writer, poet and an ardent logophile, Rochelle Potkar dons many hats. Her literary works include story-writing and poetry. Her works have been published across Indian and international publications including, The Medulla Review, The Nassau Review, Writer’s Hub, Poems for the Road Podcast UK and Rollick Magazine. She is an immense influencer who is constantly involved in promoting the art of story-telling through workshops and readings. She has also judged inter-collegiate competitions at Mood Indigo – IIT, Powai, Malhar festival – St. Xavier’s college, Spectrum – NIFT, Kharghar, and American Library.
Team Radio City caught up with the writer-poet ahead of the third edition of the Free Verse Sessions by Radio City Freedom, for a quick tete-a-tete. Read on to know what goes on behind that contemplative mind.
Where and when did you first seek inspiration to writing?
Rochelle: In 2007. I visited Tapi estuary at Dumas Surat and witnessed the environment of a sangam. I thought of how this estuary – the offspring of an uproarious sea and gallant river was so quiet in its lovemaking.
I took that essence home with me.
When later I went to my first ever fiction-writing workshop, I wrote Tropical Estuary, a short story. It was about a girl who had lost everything to the floods, and who visited an estuary to confess her truths, fears, and feelings to it.
This story later got published in an international magazine.
Literature and poetry does not find instant support. How did your family react to your pursuit of becoming a writer?
Rochelle: My family considers my practicing of poetry a hobby. I cannot blame them. The world is largely a money-driven, bottom-line driven place. External parameters are talking points. Internal transitions are invisible.
But in this mad rush, when we seek philosophy, when we stop and take in a breath, we find art with its richness. So poetry is invaluable. Maybe that’s why we cannot attach a price to it. Still, we buy poetry and books because thankfully, they exist. Your tequila shot to sense and silence.
A writer might earn 10 annas more than a poet. So that is not considered as much of a hobby by my family. But forget family. Family oppositions come over many things: live-in relationships, love marriages, career choices, late-night freedom, following one’s impulses and dreams.
What does one do in most cases? We sit the loving family down and explain our position. Then, we continue doing what we love anyways, and the lineage falls in line.
The practice and pursuit of art is a drug only addicts will understand.
The core of life is to find the flame.
What in your opinion needs to be done to make the art of poetry relevant for the masses?
Rochelle: Making it accessible. Keeping it simple in form and vocabulary though as complex in thought. Contemporary English poetry now-a-days is a lot of fun – very rich and very accessible. The point is how many of us have visited open mics or poetry readings? Do that, and witness its magic for yourself. It’s no longer abstract and archaic stuff.
Authors and poets whose works you would recommend to young aspirants?
Rochelle: Poetry: All books by Mahohar Shetty. Arundhathi Subramaniam’s work is brilliant. Sumana Roy’s, too. I find Rohan Chettri’s poetry remarkable. Dilip Chitre and Arun Kolatkar are old favorites.
Fiction: Still the old favorites: Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Vikram Seth and Rohinton Mistry.
Lastly, one memorable line/quote from a book/poem that has stayed with you
Rochelle: Since I am contemplating a lot these days on the relationship one has with oneself, I will share this line not from a book or poem.
"Figure out who you are separate from your family, and the man or woman you&39;re in a relationship with. Find who you are in this world and what you need to feel good alone. I think that&39;s the most important thing in life. Find a sense of self because with that, you can do anything else."
- Angelina Jolie
You can catch Rochelle Potkar live at the Free Verse Sessions, this Sunday i.e August 21st, 2016, at Monkey Bar, Mumbai.
For event details, click here.