Author Bio: Mr Rakesh Kadyan ‘Akbar’ is a student of life who indulges in literature and philosophy with zeal to nourish his soul. For him, poetry is the vessel by which the chaotic beauty of the world is cherished and expressed. He lives to experience the life full of emotions and vulnerabilities. Growing up in the countrysides of Haryana and then travelling all across India, he sees life with a lens of curiosity and introspection. Apart from writing and reading, he finds peace in sketching, nature and bike rides. His book गुफ़्तगू is a soulful conversation between the author and the audience.
The Literature Times: Author, welcome to The Literature Times. Congratulations on the publication of your book! What feedback do you get from your readers? Please share your thoughts on this book.
Author: Thank you so much!Feedback on the book has been consistently good. It gives me pleasure to hear that the readers are able to relate to the content. The poems in this book are a work of nearly 10 years and range from love to patriotism and childhood to being an adult and carrying the weight of the responsibilities. Language is simple and ample meanings have been given on each page to help the new readers.
The Literature Times: What motivates you to become a writer?
Author: I strongly believe that art chooses you and not the other way around. I simply am blessed to be able to feel and write. Sharing it with you all has been joyful for me.
The Literature Times: What are your favourite writing topics? Please tell us a little bit about your literary interests.
Author: I mainly write poetry about the issues and incidents that move me. Because once something touches your soul then poetry just flows like a river. I love reading history, fiction & non-fiction novels, poetry/ shayari, stories etc. I have a tendency to read any book I could lay my eyes on.
The Literature Times: We were hoping you might tell us about some of the authors that have influenced you and who you read!
Author: I have been an ardent admirer of Munshi Premchand Ji. Maybe mainly because I have a middle class rural background and I have seen the struggles of farmers and can relate to his writings. Another all time favourite of mine is रश्मिरथी by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. I read it every now and then. Apart from that some noteworthy mentions are गुनाहों का देवता, A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Room On The Roof.
The Literature Times: The title is unique and appealing; how did you come up with them? Please tell us the story behind it.
Author: I am an introvert yet an extremely sensitive person. I feel a lot, think a lot and write a lot. So this book is a conversation that I want to have with the audience and myself. Hence the name गुफ़्तगू (Conversation)
The Literature Times: What are your achievements so far? Tell us something about your writing career.
Author: गुफ़्तगू is my first book. I have participated in a few poetry competitions. In 2019, Mount Carmel College Bengaluru had organised one such event in which I won the best poem award and was published in a poetry collection book. Mrs Madhuchanda, a lecturer at the college motivated me to keep writing and publish someday. I am grateful to maam for being the light and the guide.
The Literature Times: What is your current goal in writing a career? How do you see your future in writing?
Author: The goal is just to share the art with you all. I keep writing poetry and am working on my second book. I have story writing and biographies in my mind which I will explore in near future.
The Literature Times: How simple/difficult was it for you to publish your book? What message do you want to send to aspiring authors?
Author: Publishing the book was not difficult at all. I would urge the aspiring authors to take a leap of faith and publish. Its not about fame or best sellers. Its about an experience like no other!
