IN PRAISE OF BONE NEW AND SELECTED POEMS (1991-2021)

Spanning poems written over two decades, Anand Thakore's In Praise of Bone

is a significant achievement. It displays his deep knowledge of the poetic

form. He has written nocturnes and aubades, villanelles and sonnets, odes

and dramatic monologues, apostrophes and ekphrastic poems, hymns and

blues, picking the perfect tempo and tone to suit the contents. The poems

in this collection are seeped in a wide range of emotions. They bravely

linger in the intensity of feelings, be it grief or joy or wonder or outrage.

By accepting experiences without judgement, the poems invite readers to

immerse themselves in the present fully and live life without fear. There is

deep, philosophical seeking here and this includes shades of self-loathing and

regret as well. There is humour and sardonic wit at play too. The poems also

celebrate moments of genuine human connection, raising many insightful

questions about the nature of the self and its bond to others.

The selected poems from the Mughal Sequence weave a shimmering tapestry

to give voice to Indian history. They share intimate glimpses of the lives of

historical figures such as Humayun, Gulbadan Begum, daughter of Emperor

Babur and Emperor Babur himself, and the Koh-i-Noor diamond, once a part

of Mughal ruler Shah Jahan's throne which was then acquired by the British.

Poems such as 'Puppet's Life Ends on String' and 'Buddhist Monk Hangs Self'

are inspired by contemporary events.

This landmark collection eloquently captures the nuances of both history and

modernity, embracing tragedy and joy with equal grace.