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“Every moment it is proven, why poems are composed, and every moment, the grounds of that logic are turned on its head. Small pieces of wood joined together with different skills and techniques, a chair, a small piece of wood rocking in the wind with a variety of gestures and postures, a tree. A chair has a story. A tree has a story. Everything is burnt down by the fire, except the story. The forger of stories is language, where everything happens, where everything is possible. What does it mean that language can do everything, that it can break, mould, revive and set things ablaze? Does anyone know? Is it possible to surpass the genius of language? Is language a piece of feather or an egg? I am not able to figure it out!
The one thing I know is that language is not accountable to anyone, its obligations are impressed upon it by people from without. In this truism I have discovered the kernel of literature, its liabilities, how it is shaped into value. It ceaselessly goes on to prove that the understanding of poetry lies in its value. The creation of poetry is the creation of meaning.”
One of the most distinctive voices in Assamese poetry, Alakesh Kalita (1985 – 2024) lived and wrote fervently, exploring a few very critical issues of our times: relationship of poetry and life, role and responsibilities of poets, human condition at large, free will and up to some extent the realm of the subconscious.
Born in the sleepy town of Jorhat, on 4th September, 1985, as the youngest child of Pramila & Phani Kalita, Alakesh finished his schooling from Guwahati, Axom Jatiya Vidyalay, and finished his post-graduation (first class) in Mass Communication from Gauhati University in the year 2012. A brilliant student and voracious reader all along, Alakesh had access to a social, cultural and literary environment at home, owing to various factors like the involvement of his father with literary and cultural organisations, his elder sister Jyotshna Kalita’s poetic pursuit, and his brother Bikash’s and Mother’s passion for…
In this first collection, the poet proves to be a skilful wordsmith and a fine practitioner of poetry. These are poems etched in the stones of civilization from where life begins and perishes and again returns back to unite with the hallowed ground. The poet’s deep compassion towards mankind and the sufferings of his fellow beings.
Should an artist strive to please his readers or perfect his art? In these poems, the poet turns to this universal dilemma and breathes fire into the raw passion of desire and the peace that comes from surrender.
Rummaging through the drawers of life, the poet creates a vivid collage of heartfelt emotions. Take a dip into the pool of nostalgia, of rainy evenings, struggles with writer’s block, the prospect of flowers blooming in December among several other pieces which linger like petrichor long after you’ve left them.
What possibilities remain to be recalled, to be embraced and cherished after all is said and done, after the fruitless festival has faded away? Come, sit with these philosophical poems and meditate on the twin flames of absence and presence which shape our flickering lives.
The poems of this collection embark on a tranquil journey to penetrate deeper into the problems which ail humanity. The poet’s canvas is filled with portraits of loss and pain, the real sufferings of people caught in existential crisis and their longings to escape the tortures of life. To keep going forward with purpose also means to recollect the past by paying heed to the lessons taught by time.
Poetry fearfully tries to find its safe shelter in the world of profit and loss. Our material existence requires the presence of a poet who can show us both the absurdities and the profundities of our existence. These razor sharp poems delve deeper into the metaphysical weight of language in the context of our modern existence.
A charitable trust to enable individuals and organisations working towards the goal of a happy, healthy and harmonious society via meaningful work in the arts and humanities, children welfare and mental and emotional wellbeing.
Research and development of poetry in Assam.
Empower regional youths to achieve economic independence via creators economy in the arts and social subjects.
Preserve and promote folklore, oral poetry, indigenous art.
Create a safe space for marginalised individuals to share their stories of mental emotional struggle.
Free or subsidised mental health counselling and treatment.
Raise awareness about schizophrenia and other debilitating mental ailments and conditions.
Mental health sensitisation for young adults, teenagers and their parents.
Partial or complete grants to creative and research projects in poetry and its studies.
AK Memorial Lecture.
Activities to inculcate love for Assamese poetry amongst children.
