BeyondBooks: ‘I discovered a talent I never knew I had’

He is, at present, studying in Class VIII at Apeejay School, Kharghar. He is a creative, confident, and responsible person who enjoys expressing his thoughts through poetry and writing. It allows him to turn his ideas and feelings into meaningful words. Meet Archit Pathak, a creative writer who recently won the first prize in the SPIRITS competition. In a candid interview, he talks about the theme and message he wanted the poem to convey.

Tell us about yourself.

Apart from writing, I like participating in school activities, speaking in front of others, and learning new things. I believe my creativity, communication skills, and willingness to take responsibility help me make a positive contribution to my school. I always try to learn from my experiences and become a better version of myself.

What inspired you to write this poem, and how did the idea first come to you?

I believe we are sometimes unaware of our hidden talents. Sometimes, the things we think we aren’t good at turn out to be our strengths. Until the middle of Class VII, I had never written a poem and wasn’t even interested in poetry. One day, my Hindi teacher conducted a competency-based activity in which every student had to write a poem. Since it was compulsory and carried marks,

I decided to take a humorous approach and play around with rhyming words, and my teacher appreciated it. That experience inspired me to try new things and discover talents I never knew I had.

How did you decide on the theme and message you wanted the poem to convey?

I participated in the SPIRITS competition this year and won first prize in poetry writing. The topic was Mother Earth, and as soon as I received it, I knew I wanted to write something emotional.  I believe emotions are an important part of good poetry. Through my words, I wanted to portray Mother Earth as a mother calling out to her children in pain. I think this emotional message helped me win the prize.

Which part of the poem was the most enjoyable or challenging to write?

To find rhyming words that give the poem a musical flow while ensuring that the message reaches the readers clearly. Interestingly, this is also what I enjoy the most. I love experimenting with different words and finding ways to make them rhyme. At times, the combinations turn out to be quite funny, which makes the whole process even more enjoyable.

Do you usually plan your poems first, or do the words come naturally as you begin writing?

I usually begin by writing a rough draft. Sometimes, I plan the message I want to convey and decide how to arrange the stanzas. At other times, ideas come to me as I write. Even after completing a draft, I may feel that something needs to be added or connected better. That’s when new words and ideas come to my mind, and I make the necessary changes.

Are there any poets, books or experiences that influence the way you write?

I have never been particularly fond of reading, although I enjoyed comics and fictional books in Class VII. I haven’t read any books specifically about poetry, apart from the poems in my textbooks. I also enjoy writing stories, and I think that influences my poetry. I believe the way a writer presents a story and chooses words can make a strong impression on readers.