M O K S H a: Poems of Liberation

M O K S H A - meaning liberation in Sanskrit - contains English-language re-imaginations and translations of original poems in Telugu, Hindi and Bhojpuri by the celebrated Indian musician, composer, choreographer, musicologist and poet Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao.

The collection highlights a poet's impulse to use the power of his art for freeing his society from ages-old limitations wrought by oppression, systemic bias, conflict and upheaval. Embracing unvarnished values ensconced in love of family, empathy for fellow beings, socially meaningful artistic expression and a profound realization of one's own frailty, the poet says, paves a path to fulfillment. Engaged thus, honing his skills through observation and introspection, he is also on his way to liberating himself intellectually.

Written over a span of fifty years traversing the Indian nation through social, political and economic upheaval, M O K S H A is a microcosmic view of a people unlike any other, even as it is a unique work of poetry. Universally relevant themes of living, relationships, love, devotion, joy, bondage, grief and freedom provide context for perspective. When interpreted through a contemporary lens, M O K S H A: Poems of Liberation is a concise treatise on eternally relevant constructs intrinsic to genuine freeness.

Through the past century into this, Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao shaped and influenced the essential form and derivatives of culture known to the world as classically Indian. With performances on the Indian flute for audiences worldwide, he interpreted ancient music for modern ears with chaste understanding and an elocution that continues to stimulate intellects, both mature and young. Live and recorded renditions of his compositions for orchestra and ballet have received critical acclaim, acknowledging an energizing originality that reshaped traditional boundaries. As a poet he published five well-received anthologies of poems and short stories in Telugu and English. Common themes in his poems include calls for societal awakening to the fading aspirations of the marginalized, the all-too-real risk of losing noble traditions that shape democratic practices, and threats to a proud, benevolent people's inherent humanity. His literary work has appeared in Muse India, The Indian Literary Review, Indian Literature, Lipika, Andhra Prabha, Andhra Bhoomi, The Journal of the Sahitya Akademi and The Illustrated Weekly of India. A detailed bio, curated discography and interviews with Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao on topics in literature and the fine arts can be found at Colloquy, the fine arts blog on the website of The Red and Green Company. https: //theredandgreencompany.com

Steve Elchuri, PhD, is Contributing Editor, Colloquy, the fine arts blog of The Red and Green Company. In addition to M O K S H A: Poems of Liberation his writing credits include THE APHORISM - An Original Screenplay, NASCENCE - A Novel, VORTEX - An Original Screenplay, QUIETUDE - A Novel, AUTUMN RAIN - An Original Screenplay, PIECES FOR THE PIANO, IMPRESSIONS - Music for Classical Instruments, MY FATHER, AN ARTIST - A Feature Documentary, as Writer, Director, Cinematographer and Editor. As an executive producer for The Red and Green Company, he has released 24 albums in the world classical music genre (1990-2024) available in fine music outlets worldwide. Steve is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology and The Wharton Business School. Since 1985, he has authored 45 articles published in business and marketing journals.

Sailaja Rao has degrees in Education and Science. She was born and brought up in the Telugu-speaking environment of Andhra Pradesh, India. She is currently collaborating with Steve on The Book of Chutney and an anthology of short stories.