‘Poetry is creating your world with your own words’

Aadrija Mitra, a student with Apeejay School, Nerul, is a talent to watch out for. Just a child and she already had read the works of many greats like Tagore, Sukumar Ray and more. This literary richness reflects in her writing as it is imbued with a rich imagination and beautiful language skills. 

Selected in this week’s Apeejay Promising Poet interview, let us know more about the young poet’s philosophy about her craft and other literary ambitions. 

Aadrija, at what age did you start writing poetry?

I am so lucky I came to know poetry very early in life. I was 9 years old when I wrote my first poem. I was a fourth grader then.

So sweet! And what inspired you to pick up the pen?
I started reading at a very early age. I remember humming nursery rhymes and then gradually reciting some wonderful ones in the school poetry competitions. Reading fun stories and seeing cool things around me inspired me to write poems. I just wanted to tell my own stories in a fun and rhythmic manner.

Ahaan! So what’s the cool story behind your poem The Dreamy Chase?

The Dreamy Chase is about a fun adventure where anything is possible. We often wake up from our dreams, sometimes from crazy ones, especially to our parents asking us to get up. Occasionally, these dreams remain incomplete. This was the inspiration behind my poem. 

Who is your favourite poet and which poem do you like the most?
Actually, there are many. I have read many poems by Rabindranath Tagore and children’s poems by Satyajit Ray’s grandfather, Sukumar Ray, who penned some really imaginative and fun ones for kids. I have also enjoyed works by Dr. Seuss, Lewis Carroll, and our very own Ruskin Bond. It is very difficult to choose a favorite among these.

The all time poet’s question: Rhyme or free verse?
I like rhymes because they sound fun and musical. But free verse is cool too because you can write whatever you feel.

And writing poems in the day or night?
I like writing poems in the day because I feel more awake and can think of more ideas when it’s bright and many times even just out of my dreams. m

But how does your school help you to write such lovely poems?
My school has been the wind beneath my wings. It all began when I started participating in poetry competitions. I had to look for relevant poems to recite, which deepened my love for poetry. Teachers always encouraged me to be creative and to share my work. I have seen many of my teachers’ writing poems, and we also have a great school library. The entire atmosphere encourages creativity in the students and it has also inspired me.

How do you approach writing a poem? How much time does it take you to finish one?
I start with any thought that comes to mind. It can be a fun idea, something related to what’s happening around me, like the environment, or any experience, and I just let my thoughts flow. It can take an hour or a few days, no time estimate as such. I write about nature, dreams, my experiences, my friends, etc.

And finally the best thing about writing poetry for you?
The best thing is creating my own world with words. It’s like painting but with my imagination!