Its raining quotes!

Rain has inspired writers as they go about their lonely business of writing. For some it is a harbinger of joy and hope while for others it spells heartbreak, lost love and desolation. The author asks some of our poets about their favourite rain experiences.

July 06, 2015 08:32 pm | Updated 08:32 pm IST - COIMBATORE

Arundhathi Subramaniam

Arundhathi Subramaniam

Arundhathi Subramaniam,

Author of When God is a traveller

“Rain is inspiring primarily because it defamiliarizes the world, doesn't it? Suddenly, the everyday world, with its fixed limits and boundaries, turns fluid and magical and green. It's a time when the world – otherwise so stoic and indifferent – seems to be brimming over with signs and cues, even if you can't quite decode them. Poetry is essentially about the same quest: to re-enchant the world for oneself. That makes the rain the ideal time to write poetry. And frequently, I do. But since the work of enchantment has been already done by the rain, it's often the best time to sit back beside an open window with a cup of masala chai and a cat on your lap! Which also means you end up snoozing – and I do plenty of that too.”

Favourite quote is by American musician, Roger Miller:

Some people walk in the rain. Others just get wet.

Syam Sudhakar

Author of Drenched by the Sun

“Rain reminds me of my childhood, when I stand in front of the doorway and a strong gush of wind beats against me. There is so much loneliness you experience in that moment. I feel Malayalam poetry has a rhythm, because of the influence of the rains. No one from Kerala can deny that.”

Favourite quote from Manaswini, poem by twentieth-century Malayalam poet, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai:

In dead of night during the Edawa months/when rains rage with thunderstorms /…As deafening roars arise /Deep down from the fathomless caves /…Does not your harassed soul / Writhe in an anguish of undivinable cause/ Like a helpless fawn/Under the fatal arrow of the hunter?

Shinie Antony

Author of The orphanage for words

“Rain can intensify a mood. And when one is writing, rains can be a steady background music to pitch your thoughts or sentences against. Most words are at their best when spoken in the rain.”

Favourite quote is by American poet, Sara Teasdale:

The sound of useless rain in the desolate courtyard/ Makes me more alone/ If you were here, if you were only here/My blood cries out to you all night in vain/ As sleepless as the rain.

Sharanya Manivannan

Author of Witchcraft

“I adore the rain – everything from sentimental drizzles to ferocious thunderstorms. Among all the beautiful pieces of literature that exist were inspired by the rain.”

Favourite quote is from the ancient Tamil poem, Kuruntokai 40:

In love our hearts have mingled like red earth and pouring rain

Meena Alexander

Author of Atmospheric Embroidery

“I have learnt to treasure the monsoon rain. I remember how as a child I was terrified of the great thunderstorms in Kerala and lightning that sometimes struck and killed. But my father held me up in his arms and spoke of the great rain storms as Nature’s glory. He was a meteorologist and taught me the names of clouds. There is much mention of rain in my poetry and also clouds. I feel that one of the great pleasures of life is being able to sit and pick up one’s pen to write as the monsoon rains fall.”

Favourite quote is from Kalidas’s Meghadhutam, stanza 21:

Your rain disgorged, draw up the river’s water/ Whose flow impeded by rose-apple brakes/ Is pungent with the scent of wild elephants in rut/ And journey on: gaining inner strength/ The wind cannot make light of you, O Rain Cloud/ For hollowness makes things light; fullness bestows weight

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