M. Srinivas Sarma,
Freelancer Writer

An Interview with Mr Srinivas Sarma

Mr Srinivas Sarma is a freelancer writer who has made it big recently by winning this year’s "International Society of Poets Award " given from the United States of America.

Hailing from Coimbatore, Mr Sarma has been moving all over India. His writings are a reflection of what he has observing over decades in various parts of the country.

The following is an excerpt of the interview that he has given exclusively to Khojhyderabad.com

A) It is wonderful to get this award and this is a great honour, but I wish to accept it with great humility and would like to dedicate it to my parents and all my family members and friends because of whom I am where I am.Coming to the award, it is being given by the International Society of Poets every year which also conducts a symposium and seminar for nearly 3 days at Washington. They also give an opportunity to interact with publishers and printers to enable poets to publish their works. It is really a good idea.

Q) Mr Sarma, please tell us something about yourself

A) I am a freelance writer and journalist and I love poetry, journalism as well as reading books. I hail from Coimbatore, the Manchester of South India and my parents stay there with my brother there. I have three sisters, who are by God’s grace fine and well-settled. My wife is working with Andhra Bank and I have two kids. My daughter is studying in Chinmaya Vidyalaya and my son is studying in Hyderabad Public School.

Q) When did you take to writing poetry?

A) I don’t exactly remember. First I started writing in papers, even if they didn’t publish my letter. In those days getting letters published in "The Hindu" was a great achievement. Every alternate days I used to sent letters to The Hindu and at last they published my letter after almost 6 months of writing letters to them. After coming out of college I started writing poetry and used to jot down thoughts regularly.

Q) What is your principle source of inspiration in writing poetry?

A) I love nature, but human sufferings and their agony kindle the thoughts of poetry. They touch the core of my heart.

Q) Whose work has inspired you the most?

A) In English I love Rabindranath Tagore and Keats, Bharathiyar and Kannadasan in Tamil. I adore Swami Vivekananda, Swami Chinmayananda of Chinmaya Mission and Swami Dayananda of Arsha Vidya. The works of the mentioned luminaries inspire me a lot.

Q) How far has the city of Hyderabad inspired your works?

A) My wife and in-laws hail from this city. Having said that, I must admit that I am inspired more on either ways. If I say more, you would create rift at home….(in the lighter vein)

Q) What do you think is the function of a poet/author in the modern society?

A) The poets and authors can play an important role in the society through their works. It is for the society to understand and assimilate their thinking . Tagores, Kalidasas, Thiyagarajas and Bharathiars have always been always relevant and such people keep inspiring the people all over the world. It depends upon how we fine tune ourselves to receive their message.

Q) What are your future plans regarding your works as well as life?

A) As of now I am trying to go to Washington to receive the award in person. I am writing to various people and companies whether they can sponsor my trip, since it is very costly for me to go to Washington. I am also planning to write to the Chief Minister of AP. I am planning to publish my poems as well. I am writing a small book consisting of various experiences I had undergone at various places of my stay at Coimbatore, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad and during my visit to various cities in the country. I would like to contribute in whatever way possible to the society with the spirit of Karma Yoga.

Subho Datta.