Mrs Pratibha Payyadi is a woman of many dimensions – an electronics engineer, turned psychologist, an award winning poet, an educator and a passionate seeker. With a deep love for words and a flair for emotional expression. She began writing at the age of 13 inspired and supported by her family. Her writing is an honest reflection of life layers – raw, real and relatable.
She is the author of Soulful Versus, a heartfelt collection of poetry that earned her, the Emily Dickinson award and the Sahitya kosh Samman award. Her second book, Mind & Mirages, continues to explore the intricacies of human emotion and introspection.
Beyond writing, Pratibha wears many hats – she is a counsellor has being a lecturer, and is an artist who finds joy in sketching, painting and cooking. Her poems often flow from a deep spiritual connection influenced by observations of life around her, meditative practices, and a strong belief in righteous living.
Her goal is simple yet profound : to reach people, touch hearts, and offer a different perspective on life journey – while staying rooted in authenticity and compassion.
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.
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: Soulful Verses received, heartfelt appreciation from readers across different walks of life. many found the poems deeply relatable, healing, and spiritually enriching. The awards and recognition, reaffirmed that the book touched hearts and opened inner dialogues.
My second book Mind & Mirages is also very close to my heart. It is the result of a year long journey through layers of thought, emotion, and reflection.
Through poetry, I have tried to explore how we perceive, react and evolve. For me, this book is not just a collection of poems – but a mirror and a quiet observer of life’s silent shifts.
The Literature Times: What motivates you to become a writer?
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: What motivates me to write is life itself – in all it’s beauty, complexity, and silence. Writing is my way of pausing, processing and understanding the emotions that often go unspoken. It allows me to give voice to what is felt deeply, but rarely expressed – whether it’s a fleeting moment, an inner conflict or a profound realisation. I am also deeply inspired by people – their stories, their resilience, their quite strength. Often a conversation, a glance, or even a moment in nature becomes a spark. The spiritual practices that I do play a major role too – they open up a space within me from which words naturally emerge.
Writing for me is not just an art – it is a form of service, a way to reach others, to comfort, to awaken, and sometimes simply to say “you’re not alone.”
The Literature Times: What are your favourite writing topics? Please tell us a little bit about your literary interests.
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: I am most drawn to writing about emotions, introspection, human connections, and spiritual experiences. I find beauty in every day moments – a quiet sunrise, a conversation with a loved one, a lingering silence – and I enjoy transforming them into verses that speak to the soul. Themes like healing, inner strength, love, loss, and the journey within, often find their way into my poetry.
My literary interests are quite diverse; I deeply admire poetry that evokes emotion with simplicity and grace, whether it’s the works of Sadhguru, Rumi , Thich Naht Hanh, Khalil Ghibran. I also enjoy reading motivational books & books on spirituality & psychology. They not only feed my curiosity, but often inspire my own reflections and creative expressions.
Ultimately, I gravitate towards writing that’s authentic and soulful, and I write to bring that essence into my work – where words become a bridge between thought and feeling, between the writer and the reader.
The Literature Times: We were hoping you might tell us about some of the authors that have influenced you and who you read!
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: Two figures, who have most profoundly inspired me, Sadhguru and Kabir.
Sadhguru’s wisdom has deeply influenced not just my writing, but also the way I live and perceive the world. His clarity, depth and ability to convey profound truths in simple words have made a lasting impact on me. His teachings often become the silent thread that weaves through my thoughts and verses.
Kabir’s dohas have always fascinated me, they are rich in spiritual insight, and yet strikingly grounded. His mystical depth and poetic brilliance continue to influence me every day. There is something timeless and universally human in his words that I try to reflect in my own way.
Alongside them, I also draw inspiration from Rumi for his mysticism and Khalil Ghibran for his poetic wisdom. Writers like Maya Angelou, Paulo Coelho and Eckhart Tolle have also influenced me with their unique voices and perspectives on life, love and inner growth.
These authors have in many ways, helped me shape a voice that is intuitive, reflective, current, and rooted in both emotion and awareness
The Literature Times: The title is unique and appealing; how did you come up with it? Please tell us the story behind it.
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: The title Mind & Mirages was actually suggested by my husband and it resonated with me. I was working through the manuscript, reflecting on the themes and emotions woven into the poems, and his suggestion struck a deep chord. The mind with all its complexities, questions and reflections often creates mirages – illusion we chase, fears we nurture, and stories we tell ourselves.
So Mind & Mirages became more than just a title – it became a doorway into the heart of the book. And the fact that it was born from a quiet conversation with someone who understands me deeply makes it even more special.
The Literature Times: What are your achievements so far? Tell us something about your writing career.
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: My first book Soulful Verses was a meaning full step in my writing journey, and I was honoured to receive the Emily Dickinson award and Sahitya kosh Salman award for it. These recognitions have motivated me to continue writing with more purpose.
Being named – featured author of 2024 on Writers Excellence was another humbling moment, which has encouraged me to keep writing.
My second book Mind & Mirages is a reflection of the time I have spent exploring deeper dimensions of the mind, it’s illusions and the truth we seek.
Writing continues to be a way for me to express what I have learnt, and to reach others who may connect with those thoughts.
The Literature Times: What is your current goal in writing a career? How do you see your future in writing?
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: Currently my goal in writing is to continue exploring deeper dimensions of life & human emotions. I would like my words to resonate with the readers on a personal level- offering them comfort, clarity and maybe even a fresh perspective on their own experiences. I also hope to continue honing my craft, experimenting with new forms, and pushing my own boundaries as a writer.
In the future, I see myself continuing to write, not just for personal expression, but also to connect with an inspire others. I hope to explore more diverse genres and themes, and perhaps one day write a collection that blend poetry with other forms of creative expression. I would love to continue sharing my work with people and contributing to a conversation about life, and the beauty of everyday moments.
The Literature Times: Do you have any other novels in the works? Please keep us updated on your future endeavours.
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: Yes, I’m currently working on new ideas and projects that continue to explore life and themes of self reflection. While I don’t want to give too much away, just yet, I’ll surely keep everyone updated as things progress. And I look forward to sharing more soon.
The Literature Times: How do you view Indian writing in the twenty-first century? What changes do you see in today’s writing style? Do you feel it has been changed by the time?
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: Indian writing in the 21st century has become more diverse and experimental. Writers are exploring a wider range of themes from personal identity to social issues while embracing regional languages and modern storytelling techniques. The style has shifted to become more accessible and conversational, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life.
Digital platforms have also open doors for new voices, making Indian writing more inclusive and global in its reach.
The Literature Times: How simple/difficult was it for you to publish your book? What message do you want to send to aspiring authors?
Mrs Pratibha Payyadi: Publishing, my book was a mix of challenges and rewards. The writing itself came naturally, but finding the right publisher was a journey in itself. Once I found the right publisher, sailing became much smoother and everything fell in place.
To the aspiring authors, my message would be : don’t be discouraged by obstacles. Stay true to your voice, keep honing your craft and never give up on your dream.
Please attach a photo of yours; it will be great if you may provide your photo holding a copy of the book.
