About The Author
Harsha is a Spoken Word Poet & Storyteller with a rare fluency in English and Hindustani. With poems featured on Unerase Poetry, Spill Poetry, Kommune, and Spoken Fest, she has made a mark in just 3 years. Winner of a nationwide poetry contest, she has written and performed for relevant societal causes in prestigious venues like the NCPA, Indian Habitat Center, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Amidst this vibrant poetic journey, Harsha manages a full-time role as a Director at Collins Kitchens & Wardrobes and raises her 6-year-old with her husband in Mumbai.
Read the review here: A collection of mind-blowing poems – In Four Billion Years by Harsha Agarwal – Book Review
Interview
Q) Tell us about the idea behind the book.
In ‘Before Sunrise’, Celine says, “Isn’t everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?” The more
I reflect upon life, the more I find that to be true. I think our ability to love and our desire to be loved is really the starting and ending of everything. The idea of my book is simply to express all that love. The love that we continue to have for people who are long dead or the companionship we find in platonic friendships or the intense romantic love that consumes us or the heartbreaking longing we feel when we are apart from the people we love or the exceptionally private relationship we share with God – these poems are about all these loves and more!
Q) How much time did it take in the process of writing?
IFBY has 50 poems I have written across 2.5-3 years. When I curated the first 50 poems, I kept them aside for a month. After getting that distance, when I revisited the pieces, some of them weren’t working for me anymore. So I eliminated them from the collection, quite mercilessly. Started writing afresh – got distance again. I repeated the process till I was genuinely satisfied with the 50 poems I had. Once I locked them, I edited them over and over till I thought they truly reflected what I wanted to convey. So yes, it was a 2.5- 3 year process of intense writing, editing, and getting distance.
Q) What did the process of writing this book teach you?
The joy of doing something is in the doing itself, not in the rewards or the frills that come with it.
Q) A book that had an impact on you, which helped you in writing this one?
I could rattle off 10 books that have left an exceptional emotional imprint on me. Although I don’t think I consciously relied on any book to help me. Having said that, when I read a book of poems, I go in thinking- if I can find even one piece that destroys me emotionally, and rips my heart apart- it would be time well invested. When I started reading Andrea Gibson’s ‘You Better Be Lightning’, it felt like reading one masterpiece after another. There are about 38 poems in the book and barring two or three, I think every poem moved me. Left me speechless! I had a similar experience when I read Clint Smith’s ‘Above Ground’. The craft is exceptional but his ability to take the most mundane objects or the most routine experiences, especially as a first-time parent, and transform it into poetry left me spellbound.
My takeaway from both these books was- stick to your truth. Your truth in the phase of life you’re in and
then express it to the best of your ability. The Truth is the most powerful poem you’ve got! And I have
followed that learning like a North Star in my writing.
Also Read: Interview with Nanda Pavaday – Author Of Tizistwar Nou Pays
Q)What inspired you to write this book?
Kabhi kabhi woh sapne poore ho jaate hai jo aapne dekhe bhi nahi hote. For me, this book has been a dream beyond the realm of my imagination. In 2021, I participated in a nationwide poetry contest wherein the winner would get the opportunity to publish their book. I participated purely to have fun. It was a tricky competition as it had no language barrier. In one of the rounds, where I got exposed to other participants and their writing, I knew the competition was tough. But I ended up qualifying through multiple rounds and eventually, I was declared the winner! That was really how the journey of writing this book started.
Q) Which is your favourite part from the book?
The only honest way to answer this is- I have no favourites and all of them are my favourites. That’s the beauty of any creative work- whatever feels like a warm hug in a given moment can be the favourite!
Q) How your life changed after the book was published?
The biggest change in my life is that I am now dreaming about my second book and my third book. And none of it seems like mungerilal ke sunhare sapne! In fact, I have already started writing poems for both of them. In the case of the third book, I know the title and the dedication too! The conviction that I will author many many more books is the shift created in my life after IFBY.
Q) What is a literary success for you?
There are so many moments in my life when I think a poem saved me. Reading it made me feel less alone and more understood. Then there are moments when a poem expressed the love I felt but couldn’t articulate. All I would do is send a photo of the poem to the concerned person in question (could be my mom, husband, friends, etc). I want my poems and all my work to do exactly that. For millions of people across the world. To find such irrefutable resonance, that it saves them. To live another day. To love another day.
Q) A message for all the readers.
Keep reading! I don’t think we can ever find closer companionships than books. Also- if you like something (whether it’s a snippet or an entire poem or maybe even a line), SHARE that with the writer. Tag them on Instagram and tell them how their work has moved you. Believe me, there is no greater reward for any artist than the love of their audience.
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