A new review of my first book Wrighteings: In Media Res by Anita Travis White

A new review of my first book Wrighteings: In Media Res by Anita Travis White

If only this book had been written in 2002. How snugly it would have situated itself amongst the concepts of organizational design and theory in my graduate studies in health administration both on my shelf and in my brain. Actually, the writing had begun during this period although I did not know this author until several years later. Compact, substantial, precise, Wrighteings challenges the intellect on many subjects. For the lay reader, it may take a bit of effort to get through. One must feed one's mind continually. Highly recommended. A brilliant book by a brilliant author.

http://www.amazon.com/Wrighteings-Media-Ampat-V-Koshy/dp/3844397310

I am in this book.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151900068489543&set=a.390739019542.168377.731519542&type=1

Poem of mine translated into Portugese by Cleber Pacheco author of many collections of poetry in Portugese.

My poem Pura Yoga translated into Portugese, for the first time! by none other thanCleber Pacheco author of many collections of poetry.

SÁBADO, 7 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2013

AUTOR CONVIDADO (DR. Ampat Koshy)
O autor convidado de hoje, Dr AMPAT KOSHY,da ÍNDIA, é crítico,poeta,editor,contista,pesquisador,ensaísta e professor universitário.Esta´é minha tradução para o seu poema Pura Yoga.

PURA YOGA

Sempre pensei que cada célula do corpo
é capaz de sentimento.
Somos portas para o Desconhecido.
Quando nos invertemos
e voltamos os pés para o céu
e mãos para a terra,
abrimos fissuras de fogo
para as profundas
águas,janelas para as estrelas.
Fazê-lo é estar em sintonia
com o orgasmo da matéria
e alinhados
com a energia do amor.
Meu amor,nunca te vejo
plenamente enquanto ser
em minha cabeça
em pura união
de entendimento.

Pura Yoga

I always thought every cell of the body
is capable of feeling.
We are doors to the Unknown.
When we invert ourselves
and become feet to sky
and hands to earth
opens the fire fissures
to the deeps
and the waters, windows to the stars
To make is to be in tune
with matter's orgasm
and in line
with energy's love
My Love, I never see you
as fully as when being
on my head
in a pure yoke
of under-standing.
Koshy



http://www.translittera.blogspot.com/

Happy I am going to be in Dazzling Bards (Volume one) of poets of today who write in English by Kiriti Sengupta to be brought out with an introduction by Yayati Sri Madan Gandhi, founder-president of Poetry Society of India.

Let me make a quick announcement here. This is something that I could never imagine beforehand. It was Subhankar Paul, the editor of 'Hiranyagarbha' who practically forced me to write on the contemporary Indian poets, the ones who are writing in English-language. I went on writing, critiquing, and much more with my select poets and their works, and kept counting on the scores of remarks of my readers and well wishers on the posts I made. My enterprise reached its pinnacle as Sri Madan Gandhi, the founder-president of The Poetry Society of India happily agreed to produce and publish my manuscript in the form of a book, titled MY DAZZLING BARDS (Vol:I). The book will be published in a month's time, and will be available all across the nation. I have personally requested Sri Gandhi to write the foreword of my book.

My beloved poets, you beget and feature in all the ten chapters that my book will comprise of. Would you, please, let me know your feedback?

I take this opportunity to present my first rendition in Hindi (edited by Nitin Soni, New Delhi.):

हर दिन सुनहरा होता है
बस अपनी और सिर्फ अपनी ही
नज़र का फरक बन जता है।

ये जो सूरज है, इसे
रात भी भुलाती नही
चांद भी सुबह
मुस्कुराते हुए नज़र आता हैं।

An article on my poetry.

My Beloved (Part IX)

Here comes a poet, who loves to research on the words and their mechanism of unfurling flavors; an extremely talented academician Dr. Ampat V Koshy (Ph.D.) is my next poet. He is presently an assistant professor in the department of English, Faculty of Arts (Girls), Academic College, Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He did his research on Samuel Beckett’s poetry in English, majoring in modern English poetry. Dr. Koshy was born in Trivandrum, Kerala, and he has had three poetry titles, and four titles on serious literary critiquing. Once a regular columnist with the Plumtree Books and Publishers (United Kingdom), Dr. Koshy prefers to remain reticent about his literary achievements. In the year 2012 a poem of his was nominated for Pushcart Prize for poetry. He loves to be referred to as a ‘natural poet’ who derives much inspiration from almost everything that surrounds him, and that poetry is his ‘spontaneous’ expression. As the noted critic-translator-poet Bina Biswas remarked, “Dr. Koshy is not drawing from Borges or Nicholas Boileau or Paris Review interviews, although he mischievously sends his readers on such wild goose chases. He is drawing from texts he is teaching and his experience as a seasoned poet and critic who appreciates reading new poetry.” Let me share a few of his poems:

Chanson

Far away, love is
waiting
alone in a double bed with
hope
that one day there will be no hollow
nearby. Thus it copes.

Far away, love is
waiting, thinking
one day there will be someone
who appreciates me for
my....self, and all else thereby

Far away love is waiting
silver hair in its black
far away

Love never fails
because
it cannot lose, anyway
in a contest
where the rules keep
changing
each and every day
not knowing what is happening
It only keeps on going
far away
pretending
everything's alright
far away... elsewhere, tonight

As I said in my introductory lines, Dr. Koshy has this brilliant ability to wrap and unwrap his poems with flavor. Chanson is a lyrical French song, and by using it as the title, the poet immediately includes some lyrical flavor into the poem. And look, I am not wrong at all. With ‘everything's alright / far away... elsewhere, tonight’ Chanson turns up to be an orator’s delight! The following poem reveals the ‘spiritual’ self of Dr. Koshy:

Shivashakti

Why, when it comes to you alone
am I not able to
hurt you?
When everyone else hurts me
I swallow it, in my pride
remain standing, to their dismay
It leaves only a blue mark on my neck
and I destroy its effect.
I can hurt them back
if I want.
You alone get away
with 'blue' murder.
What pleasure do you get
in being cruel to me
testing the limits of my patience
sawing off your own support?

This is a splendid creation by Dr. Koshy as it superimposes the image of Lord Shiva, who only consumed the unholy of the universe, on the pivotal sketch of a general male who is supposed to cushion the stresses of livelihood! Dr. Koshy stood impeccably male, and I simply can’t resist myself from quoting one of my poems here (Ref: The Reciting Pens, Inner Child Press, U.S.A., 2013):

Y-gene

My friends were aware of the wish I nurtured.
If I had a daughter,
I would name her Srividya!
No, I was not influenced by any actor.
There are a lot of disputes, prevailing over
the sibling rivalry of the sisters
in every corner of Bengal.
I thought my daughter would grow up to say
‘Hey! You were all so wrong.’
Our prayer room hosted a dazzling crystal Sri Yantra
on the holy altar.

My wife’s desires were too girly.
She wished to drape her daughter
in frilled dresses to look gorgeous.
She also had good plans to find her daughter
the best possible groom, so that my wife could live hassle-free!
Prior to her labour, my mother-in-law
keenly observed my wife’s navel and opined,
‘Come on, it’s a boy!’
It was a boy of course -
A cute little thing of two and a half kilos.
To take care of the borderline weight,
special supplements were arranged.
My wife looked bright in pride, and
you could see it in her eyes.
We thanked and worshiped the Narayana
right after the Holy Bath.

My son is now at school.
It’s a co-education convent.
After his school he returns home and tells his mother,
‘Girls were all sitting on the left.’

(Translated into English by Rituparna Sarkar from the original Bengali written by Kiriti Sengupta.)

Gina McKnight: N a d e z h d a

Gina McKnight: N a d e z h d a: World acclaimed poet Dr A.V. Koshy is presently working as Assistant Professor in Department of English, Faculty of Arts for Women, Jaza...

The esteemed Journal of Literature and Aesthetics - an international peer reviewed journal, one of only two such in Kerala, the other one having been run by the late P K Rajan - has my poem in it, thanks to Prathap Kamath  It also has a great poem by Ra Sh called Creation and an article by Prathap on Dattani's Tara. This poem was rejected twice, first for an African anthology by James Robert Myers and then by Sunil Sharma for the Authorspress Indo- Australian anthology, so I am happy that it finally appeared. It is about Booker T Washington who wrote Up From Slavery. He is M L King Jr.'s forerunner in America. Thanks to Srinivasan sir, chief editor and founder, for everything and proud to appear in a magazine where great writers like Derek Walcott have appeared. The photo of Booker T is there on the page, and my poem is on it. The moral of the story is my poems will keep appearing... despite everything...

Here is my simple poem:

1) UP FROM SLAVERY
For Booker T Washington

booker t
you belonged to a different time
but sitting in a corner in india
when i was a child
reading you
your mother's prayers and your uncle tom humility
touched me
i will never forget you
or what you taught me
booker t
that wrong isn't right
that might isn't light
that hate can't bait
and no one can keep anyone
slaves, endlessly

freedom rings
from your memory
even to today's slaves
booker t
be they in india
or u.s. of a
or anywhere else
in mine or field

you will always shine
when they count the death blows
to slavery
great booker t!

(c) 2013 Koshy A.V.

As a double whammy or treat, in Holistic Thought, Prathap Kamath's department journal, my article on Othello has also finally appeared. Don't know how to thank you enough, dear Prathap.

http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=15168

Two of my books and three I wrote forewords or back cover blurbs for near to the launch.
The launch is on October 19th.
YMCA NEW DELHI 6- 9.30 am
Authorspress and Butterfly and the Bee are the ones involved.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=741878289162940&id=232091103474997

Look at the picture - my books are Art of Poetry and Samuel Beckett's English Poetry and the books I wrote for are Sangeeta Suneja's inspirational book and Madhumita Ghosh's and Bina Biswas's poetry books.

How to buy my book Samuel Beckett's English Poetry

Dear Friends...

The Book "Beckett’s English Poetry: Transcending the Roots of Resistance in Language” by A.V. Koshy is now available on flipkart published by Authorspress India at the following link
"http://www.flipkart.com/becketts-english-poetry-transcending-roots-resistance-language/p/itmdzjuwh8bgbzvz?pid=9788172737221&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=beckett+koshy&ref=d6d11c53-1985-4b2e-9fb1-523761e8fcc1"


Overseas buyer can purchase the same book at a price of US $21.00 per book which includes courier charges.

The buyer can transfer the funds to the publisher AUTHORSPRESS a/c through PAYPAL using the following email ID: authorspress@hotmail.com. Supply number of copies wanted plus shipping or mailing address.

Where flipkart is not supplying (which is often the case) note that Authors press will charge you Rs.550 only – if you are ordering in India directly from the publisher and in return will allow you free postage anywhere in India. You may order the book through VPP or can deposit the amount to the following bank:
BANK - ALLAHABAD BANK
BRANCH - DARYAGANJ, NEW DELHI, INDIA
A/C - AUTHORSPRESS, NEW DELHI
A/C NO. - 20018280998
IFC CODE - ALLA0210411

Thank you
Dr A.V Koshy

Ichhamoti Review - Home

Ichhamoti Review - Home - has  my poem and article on haiku in it.

My book Beckett's English Poetry: Transcending the Roots of Resistance in Language is now available on flipkart.

http://www.flipkart.com/becketts-english-poetry-transcending-roots-resistance-language/p/itmdzjuwh8bgbzvz?pid=9788172737221&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=beckett+koshy+authorspress&ref=fb8a3b26-437a-4143-80f4-cd3ba7f75930

My book on Beckett will finally come out on flipkart in two weeks

Thanks to Bina Biswas for all the help. Thanks to Sudarshan Kcherry of Authorspress India for everything - no words can express my heartfelt gratitude to him for bringing out my book on Samuel Beckett's English Poetry: Transcending the Roots of Resistance in Language, in 2013, after helping me in his inimitable style with the title and quality editing and printing and cover that matches and competes with the best in academic publishing in the world anywhere and surpasses most in his restless indigenous and transnational innovativeness and trail-blazing pioneering originality of vision. I also thank my mother Sara - no more - to whom this book is dedicated, Dad, Dr K Radha (now retired) Anna Gabriel Koshy, my kids, Mary Annie AV Avy Varghese Aardvark and AV Abraham, my friends the late Aveesh K, Santosh Babusenan Satish Babusenan Sree Kumar Tommy John Gorakhnath Gangane Chitra Panikkar Bina Biswas Prathap Kamath - for their enormous patience, love, care, long suffering and faith in my ability to do this eventually. I also thank George Korah of Primalogue and Jonsy. The same for all my dear fb friends without whose likes and comments I feel I can no longer exist. I was possessed by the spirit of Beckett when I wrote this book. No regrets, whatsoever.
The book will be available on flipkart in two weeks and later in infibeam etc. It costs 550 Rs for the Indian market and 21 dollars for the international market. Enjoy. — with @Authorspress India

Buy my book.A treatise in poetry for beginners

If you have Kindle for PC, tab , phone or Mac which you can download and install for free you can now buy my popular book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners from Amazon India Kindle store for just 113 rupees finally and get it delivered by whispernet to your comp or phone or tab instantly! Available now at last in India!

"http://www.amazon.com/A-Treatise-Poetry-Beginners-ebook/dp/B009DB8ZGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373281211&sr=8-1&keywords=a+treatise+on+poetry+for+beginners

Review of Soul Resuscitation/Allusions to Simplicity by Angel Meredith/Koshy A.V.

A Review of Soul Resuscitation, 50 poems, written by Angel Meredith and Dr. AV Koshy, (published by Barry Mowles & Destiny 2 Write Publications) two writers from the Jouralspace era. I am a voracious reader of AV Koshy but am not familiar at all with Angel Meredith’s writings. Both are well written but this book does not cling to my heart nor stir my imagination as I am accustomed to in the poetry by Koshy.

The book is written in two parts: the first Angel’s poems. Death Bed has wonderful imagery and was understandably enjoyed because of my daily dealings with death. Beautifully described. Insipid is a strong and vivid painting of our modern societal breakdown. Watchers left me hanging on a branch wondering if it would break. I was not impressed with the finale. Her poems become predictable.

My expectation from Dr. Koshy is to saturate my imagination with deliciously creative illusions. In this particular book I found this with only several of his pieces. After Rilke is a good example of that. Reference to the gang-rape victim in India is made in the poem Nirbhaya. Well done. Koshy has a way of making things vanishand two of these types are found in this book, “How to make love vanish”, and “How to make myself vanish”. He has a poem out in another collection, “How to make a poem vanish”. I like his ability to steer the reader off course. Far off course. Unfortunately I do not find that much here.
References to death are made by both writers in this collection as are descriptions of the decaying of society.

Angel and Koshy are talented writers and leave just enough here, however, to lead the reader wondering what may be produced by them in the future.

by Summer Wind

"http://www.lulu.com/shop/angel-meredith-ampat-koshy/soul-resuscitation/paperback/product-20622893.html

"

Paul Eluard

I do not know French. I have read only a few of Eluard's poems, primarily from Beckett's translations and then probably from a pdf I downloaded that was for free from poem hunter or some such place, That had some of the same poems done by a different translator and new ones. It was basically more of the same stuff. Eluard has been called a Surrealist but he is more Romantic and lyrical, according to me. I find his poems bittersweet,especially if one is in the shock of going through a time of experiencing the trauma of a love that goes very deep which one does not yet know the end of. You both fear and anticipate it because it can turn out well or ill. http://rosannadelpiano.perso.sfr.fr/Images/Paul%20Eluard.jpg That is what he looked like. The poem that comes to mind is L’amoureuse She is standing on my lids And her hair is in my hair She has the colour of my eye She has the body of my hand In my shade she is engulfed As a stone against the sky She will never close her eyes And she does not let me sleep And her dreams in the bright day Make the suns evaporate And me laugh cry and laugh Speak when I have nothing to say [translated by Samuel Beckett] This is so simple and lyrical that it needs no explication except perhaps to say that one is reminded of Neruda. But Scarcely Disfigured goes deeper. Scarcely Disfigured Farewell Sadness / Greeting Sadness / Thou art inscribed in the lines of the ceiling / Thou art inscribed in the eyes that I love / Thou art not altogether want / For the poorest of lips denounce thee / Smiling / Greeting sadness / Love of the bodies that are lovable / Mightiness of the bodies that arelovable / Starts up a bodiless beast / Head of hope defeated / Sadness countenance of beauty Paul Eluard / Translated by Samuel Beckett This is great poetry , of course in a line like "the poorest of lips denounce thee." I do not write here as a critic but as a poet and a lover, in this post. Why I remembered Eluard and sit here writing this post, when I should be going to work is because he inspires me, though I have only read him haltingly in French, and in these translations. This is my tribute poem to two fine poets Eluard and Beckett inspired by my own experiences of love and sadness. The first two lines are taken directly from Eluard into my own poem. Hello sadness Good day to you You are not caused by anyone outside In this matter I have been a paltry God I make you appear in the eyes of the ones I love As a poet I praise you, falsely You come from inside me as talons of love And leave scratches on the bodies of the ones I love They are more than scarcely disfigured now I could say they too created sorrow for me, or for themselves, but won't. Now we drown in the un-bridged planets of grief But sadness, I only wanted to stop hurting others and bid you what you so richly deserve The spirit of farewell and then I'd stay with my love.

Nomination for Pushcart Prize for Poetry 2012

My poem A Shayira of Sorts has been nominated by Camel Saloon/editor Russell Streur as one of the best six entries to his magazine for the second half of 2012. This is a great honour. He has also chosen my poems Africa, Hurt-spoken to Vincent A Shayira of Sorts as editor's pics. Butterfly and the Bee has chosen my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners as one of the best reads in Indian literature of 2012.

The Second Hump Volume III : A Shayira of Sorts

The Second Hump Volume III : A Shayira of Sorts: by A.V. Koshy O Rumi intoxication with the divine is not the only way O Ghalib the way of the senses is not the only one Brothers,...

A Review of my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners by Rukhaya MK

Dr Ampat Koshy is a poet and critic par excellence. His ‘wrighteings’ are honest statements and deconstruct conventional dogmatic constructs laid down by previous critics. He fights this anxiety of influence in his work, as any of his FB poems would. According to Dr Koshy, a poem is an illegitimate orphan on FB, and competes with its contemporary opponents, but does not have a heavy inheritance to be compared to. On the other hand, it fights against its own virtual reality. He employs transliterations for a personal touch, and yet in the wisdom the book imparts, it is universal in its appeal. The informal tone enables the reader to build a comfort level and connect with his style. For the ones who would like to master the basic nuances of poetry, this book is definitely for you. And for the ones who think they already know, you will discover after reading the book: There were many things you always knew, but never realized.

My book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners is now available on Createspace for purchase

https://www.createspace.com/4001326?ref=1147694&utm_id=6026&fb_action_ids=10152117159930006&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582 List Price: $4.99 Add to Cart About the author: Dr A.V. Koshy is an established author and writer who is a poet, critic and artist. He has a doctorate in Samuel Beckett's Poems in English from the University of Kerala. He has published a monograph of essays called Wrighteings: In Media Res and has several, published research papers to his credit. He has also published poems in India, UK, America and Canada in poetry journals, magazines, e-zines and anthologies. He has two certificates, one in entrepreneurship from the World Bank, and a diploma in education, partly from the USA via an online course, besides his expertise in teaching English Language and Literature in different premier institutions and parts of the world like KSA, India and Libya. His greatest desire is to build a village for people having autism where all their needs are met. He runs an NGO called "Autism for Help Village Project" with his wife for this dream to come true. A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners Authored by Dr A V Koshy Cover design or artwork by Kelly D Boykin This small book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners is an attempt to encourage a beginner to take more interest in reading and writing poetry, at a deeper level than is the usual practice. With this aim in mind, the reader is introduced to the elements of poetry with examples in a light, humorous and interesting manner. Publication Date: Sep 18 2012 ISBN/EAN13: 1479347655 / 9781479347650 Page Count: 76 Binding Type: US Trade Paper Trim Size: 5.5" x 8.5" Language: English Color: Black and White Related Categories: Poetry / General

Mira Kapoor's review of my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners.

Poetry, this word always makes me miss a beat. But that's not enough to write well. I knew I have that appetite to learn, but I did not know what to read and how to start. Met Koshy sir on Facebook. Of course, we all know him on fb. Got to read his book ... A Treatise on Poetry. A beginner like me was in need of something which was fun and learning both. This book is outstanding. I was glued to it, once I dived into it. Less of lecture, more of learning, that too in such a light manner. It gave full rein to my "infant" imagination. The strength of this book lies in the way it is written. I knew nothing about poetry, but this book held my hand and took me through a lot of things, so beautifully. I feel good and i am more confident now. Every beginner must read it. A beaut. I, as a beginner, loved it.

Information on my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners now in two outlets.

Published by Speak Up Publishing belonging to Kelly Boykin Pocan, Editor of inklinks and honorary editor of wOw LIfe Dr A.V. Koshy's new, second book is now available on two outlets smashwords and Amazon as ebook and kindle - it will soon be out in paperback. It cost 115 rupees or two dollars aproximately as ebook or kindle format. The book will cost three dollars, shipping and handling extra and will come out soon from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Available at Amazon.com in Kindle version. Paperback version will be available soon... will inform you all when paperback is out http://www.amazon.com/Treatise-Poetry-Beginners-ebook/dp/B009DB8ZGI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348069013&sr=1-1&keywords=dr+av+koshy https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/222992

Dr Mary Annie's review of A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners by Dr A.V. Koshy

My sister's review of my book on smashwords after buying it. Review by: Mary Annie A.V.(anna maria) on Sep. 19, 2012 : I have been really surprised that this book was able to hold my attention throughout. The book is a must read for beginners of poetry...it also assists those who know poetry. The objective is thus two fold. I thoroughly enjoyed the examples and the explanations. I could term them all as eye-openers. The style is new and hence grabs our attention... The book, I am confident, will be a constant companion to all who want to refer time to time about poetry.

A beautiful not so traditional review of my book A Treatise on Poetry by Prodipta Banerjee (fb name)

Beginning poetry Is Like Professor Higgins Teaching the Elisa Do -littles The waves and winds Of Poetry Till their bright Ignorant smiles Come apart And are reborn And Filled with The innocent Shining light Of Knowing poetry For the first time.

Dr Prathap Kamath's review on my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners.

I have had a very enjoyable and enlightening read of Ampat Koshy's (Dr. A.V. Koshy) new book A TREATISE ON POETRY BEGINNERS. Being a teacher of literature myself, what has impressed me more is the “Voice” of the critic/teacher in Koshy rather than the fundamentals of prosody he has undertaken to educate the beginners in poetry with. A glance at the table of contents would mislead students of literature into taking the book to be too elementary : Mnemonics, Rhyme, From Rhyme to Rhyme Schemes, Sound and Imagery, Figurative Language, Form and Structure, Form and Voice, Voice and Style. But those who are familiar with him through his ever variegated posts on FB would never be misled to think that he is one who would fill his pages with basics except with a turn of novelty. As I said earlier, therefore, it is his Voice that has engaged me with its deep and resounding originality in the guidance that he has provided to beginners in poetry. He has laid down his views on Voice in his book: it is the stamp of individuality in language and treatment of ideas evinced by a writer. The example he gives is of T.S. Eliot: "A Voice is different. I capitalized the v on purpose. After reading a hundred or thousand Eliot feel-alike poems and sound-alike and look-alike poems by aspirants to his throne I began to understand that one could hate Eliot if he wanted to but he had what no other poet had - a Voice that was not only unmistakable but seemingly easy to imitate! Seemingly easy! But no one can catch that strange Voice, so unique that it haunts every new poet a hundred years after ‘Prufrock’ and destroys many permanently." Koshy’s book is the product of a mind that is restless and vibrant, with a microfine sensibility, down to earth humility despite its mind boggling scholarship and an eye that sees a detail always left unnoticed by others. It draws from its immense wealth of reading experience that spans over four decades without ever making a show of it, and this wealth of intertextuality alone would provide its readers ample justification to their effort in reading it. It puts poetry on FB in the right perspective for the poets who write in it and may be carried away by the customary praise they get from friends. He fruitfully disillusions them here, but only with the benign intention of wanting them to do better instead of being complacent in self admiration. However Koshy’s greatest objective is to find poetry its true eminence in the heart of readers when he says: "What is poetry? My aim is not to be prescriptive. I have been a little descriptive previously but I would like to repeat certain metaphors like the body of poetry is a kingdom with many mansions and it extends across all of time, all of space and runs like a golden thread through all the languages living and dead." Dr Prathap Kamath is UGC Associate Professor in SN College, Kollam, and author of Ekalavya, a collection of superb poems published by Cyberwit.

A Review by Dr Zeenath Ibrahim on my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners

Dr. Ampat Koshy is a distinctive and potent voice in the sprawling FB literaryscape. His treatise is an excellent exposition that discusses the nuances and mechanics of poetry effortlessly, making it an enjoyable and enriching experience for all. By delving into the intricacies of poetry, he elucidates the features that make a poem great and timeless. Written in a lucid, unassuming style the treatise takes off without the least tinge of pedantry. Spiced with humour and illustrations, the write up appeals to both aspiring poets and seasoned writers alike. I boldly recommend the book as an authentic discourse on poetry especially coming from the master of multiple genres himself. The book is sure to spark off some fireworks even in uninspired minds. A TREATISE ON POETRY is a must read for poetry lovers.

Dr Madhumita Ghosh's review of my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners

Dr Madhumita Ghosh's review of my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners : Writing on a vast topic as Poetry in a simple manner is no easy feat. Yet Dr.A.V.Koshy has done just that. Only a scholar of a great measure , as he distinctly comes through in his book, with an expansive and extensive knowledge of poetry can present an esoteric topic in the most simple manner that may appeal to one and all. In his Treatise on Poetry, beginning with Some General Thoughts on Poetry, he guides his readers, with great ease and elan, through the inroads of various parameters and components of the poetic form. In a distinctive, stylish yet facile manner, he takes his readers on a delightful journey through Poetry where the mention of the great stalwarts and analysis of their poems seem attractive even to the most uninitiated reader. It will be no surprise if his readers go all 'lady GAGA' over this book. As a Poetry teacher for many years now, I would love to own this book, read from time to time and gift to my students.

Prodipta Banerjee's (fb name) review on my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners.

On Ampat Koshy's A Treatise of Poetry : by Prodipta Banerjee I wonder whether any other period in the history of English literature has yielded so many poets as the Age of Fb has! Poets, writers, essayists who are not followers of greater names or any school but distinctive voices themselves. Amidst all this rich variation, Prof Koshy's splendid book, using his term "The Voice " galvanises the reader, whether a beginner or an advanced student of literature to love poetry by understanding its essentials and by noticing the underlying logic of the shifting and new tastes of poetry, the assiduity of poets or how they are 'natural" down the ages . The past two hours of reading has been, for me, a fascinating and engaging journey up the stream of the mechanics of poetry, engaging both in content and the excitement of a radical departure from the "boring conventional "style of theory .It is hard to define Prof Koshy's brilliance , his is a distinctive clear philosophy expressed in a distinctive manner, both intellectually and emotionally rewarding .

Vasudev Murthy's comments on my book A treatise on Poetry for Beginners

Another mind blowing, great and about to explode on the scene writer Vasudev Murthy on my book:Certainly not the typical boring pompous Treatise that frightens common people like me! A great book that demystifies the principles of poetry and takes a liberal view of the evolution of this art form. Here's hoping it will one day get across-the-board recognition for being an unorthodox yet scholarly book.

Michele Baron's review of my new book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners

Here is the third review of my book in eformat! Thank you Michele Baron Review by: Michele Baron on Sep. 08, 2012 : Four stars In a book suitable for not only aspiring and emergent writers of poetry, but also to closet and avowed critics of poetry, Dr. Koshy has compiled wit, wisdom, and aphorisms and "authorisms" well-wrought in an lucid, entertaining, and highly accessible form. "A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners" draws from the wellsprings of poetic traditions across the continents and ages. Bridging to the "now" of electronic compositions and individual and group anthology publications both online and in hard-copy, Dr. Koshy encourages and challenges beginners and experienced writers, readers, and critics alike. The "self-styled FB poet" writes of social forum poetry, the "Dreaded Poets Society," the real, the virtual, the ever-present influence of T.S. Eliot, and the lifetime "wardrobe" of poetic Style in an engaging blend of quoted poetry, pithy extracts, and plain-spoken prose. Readers can peruse the real-time, on-line Dr. Koshy with the click of an icon to facebook. But to read the estimable and considerable evaluations of poetry distilled in Dr. Koshy's memorable style, I highly recommend (for beginners, afficionados and scholars alike) reading "A Treatise on Poetry." (reviewed the day of purchase)

Cover of hard copy which will come out soon

Cover of eformat book

A review of my book A Treatise on Poetry For Beginners by Gorakhnath Gangane.

The second official, genuine and serious review of my book by Gorakhnath Gangane. Dr Koshy’s ‘Treatise on poetry’ is like a fuller version of Mathew Arnold’s touchstone method, at least for a reader like me who takes keen interest in the aesthetics and the overall body of poetry. I am very much pleased and influenced by the expanse of his expertise in the matters of reading, writing and analyzing poetry. I, being a literature student and a budding poet, find this book of paramount significance for those who want to know, write and appreciate good poetry. What is special about this book is its simple language mixed with intermittent humour, which teaches us various elements of a poem viz. form, style, structure and rhetoric. In times when poetry has few readers and poets are given second place, a book like this will definitely help to generate a good amount of interest in readers and writers as well. It won’t be an exaggeration if I call this book the “ Ars Poetica “ of our times. I give it 4 stars and appeal to the lovers of poetry to grab it if you can because this is a literary treasure. I want to thank Dr Ampat Koshy for offering us this book. Gorakhnath Gangane is a writer, poet and English Language Instructor, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.

First revew on smashwords by Angel Meredith of my book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners.

Thank you Angel Meredith for not only being the first person I know to buy my book in eformat but also review it and to give me a sober review and estimate of it on smashwords. Ladies and gentlemen, my first official review! Reviews You need to purchase this book before you can review it. Review by: Angel Meredith on Sep. 03, 2012 : Four out of five stars. I absolutely loved this book! It was information overload! The wisdom between the pages isn't just for beginners. It's for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. Dr. Koshy is a knowledgeable critic and author who teaches how to write more effectively, by insisting on one using proper English and grammar. As a fellow poet and twice published author, he uses his experiences to convey ideas in a firm manner. Increase your chances of becoming a published author by taking his advice, and buy this book! I gave this book 4 stars, only because I will save 5 stars for the likes of Shakespeare and Aristotle!!! (reviewed within a week of purchase)

The kindle, epub, rtf, pdf, html, javascript, lrf, palm doc and plaintext version of my book is available now for US dollars 1.99 from smashwords

The kindle, epub, rtf, pdf, html, javascript, lrf, palm doc and plaintext version of my book is available now for US dollars 1.99 from smashwords - published by Speak Up publishing. Please buy, download and enjoy and read. 15 percent free reading is possible for you to sample it. The print copy will soon be out. "https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/222992"

A first rough review of my book on fb

A first rough review of my book by Angel Meredith (published writer and poetess from Texas/editor of wOwLIfe) I love it! A whole lot of information packed into this little gem! Do yourself a great big favor poets, and buy this book!!! Not really just for beginners, we can all use a little worthy advice now and again... Written by our fellow poet (among many other talents) Dr. Ampat Koshy... is a knowledgeable critic and author. Each word in here is a pearl of wisdom to help you follow in his footsteps by becoming a published author! A very enjoyable read to say the least!!

Buy my new book for just two dollars in eformat

Buy my new book for just two dollars in eformat from here. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/222992 You can download it onto desktop, laptop, netbook, ipad, kindle, mobile tablet or anything you want and red it at your leisure.

My new book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners is out in eformat

A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners Essay » Literature Nonfiction » Education and Study Guides » Language experience approach By Dr A.V. Koshy Published by Speak Up Publishing Rating: Not yet rated. Published: Aug. 30, 2012 Words: 13082 (approximate) Language: English ISBN: 9781476283531 Short description This small book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners by a self styled FB poet and critic is an attempt to encourage a beginner to take more interest in reading and writing poetry, at a deeper level than is the usual practice. With this aim in mind, the reader is introduced to the elements of poetry with examples in a light, humorous and interesting manner. Extended description This small book A Treatise on Poetry for Beginners by a self styled FB poet and critic is an attempt to encourage a beginner to take more interest in reading and writing poetry, at a deeper level than is the usual practice. With this aim in mind, the reader is introduced to the elements of poetry with examples in a light, humorous and interesting manner. The contents page shows that what is included are sections on some general thoughts on poetry including a via negativa definition, two asides, Mnemonics, Rhyme, Rhyme Schemes, Sound and Imagery, Figurative Language, Form, Voice, Style, some more general thoughts on poetry and the contemporary scene, especially the exciting and avant-garde subculture of poetry on facebook. As a critic, the author aims to stand as a bridge to his readership between the old and the new, the good and the better and the real and the virtual in the world of poetry writing. Although the book is experimental in a slight way including wall post times and datesas well as slight and controlled use of chat and sms lingo, icons etc., having been written first on fb on a daily basis, making it perhaps the first of its kind and unique, it is basically of a scholarly bent. It is strength is the apparent ease with which it formulates and passes on the knowledge of poetry, in the kind of lyrical and simple writing that can actually only be done by a master of the subject or discipline. For each section well known and impeccable examples are quoted along with a judicious mix of not so famous but equally significant quotes that can be found here and there. The poets quoted include Dylan Thomas, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Samuel Beckett, Dante and others. The quotes are not random but accurate, and tellingly illustrate to a highly competent degree the points under discussion. A few of the poet’s own amusing doggerel verse is scattered here and there through the book, again to make some point clearer and even this is effectively done. Sociologists may one day find value in the thread uniting many of the sections throughout that casts light on the emerging subculture of the fb poetry scene in the contemporary poetry scenario of bleakness with many writing and no one reading, and Dr Koshy cites the interesting examples of the rise of a new wave with anthologies by people like Brian Wrixon, Barry Mowles and huge poetry event organisers like Michel Rothenberg. The book is truly international in its coverage of literature and poetry and at the same time unflinchingly Indian and so touches also on new and upcoming writers like Vasudev Murthy and Yaseen Anwer to make its point. In a very small packed canvas of a space, the book offers so much that it needs repeated readings and is a worthy minimalist gem for such a low price. “What is it if not the worst of times if one can't rhyme rhyme with rosemary and thyme?!” If that sentence given for your enjoyment doesn’t make you want to buy it and read it nothing else will. The book is a Horatian delight of fine instruction. Tags poetry manual, poetry writer facebook sex life death poet desire romantic love erotica sexual funny, poetry guide, poetry tips, poetry formatting, poetry romance emotions body heart hope, poetry on ebooks, poetry rhyme motivational metaphoric, poetry literary poetry womens poetry, poetry freeverse, poetry verse Available ebook reading formats Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps. Format Full Book Sample First 15% Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser) Buy View sample Online Reading (JavaScript, experimental, buggy) Buy View sample Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps) Buy Download sample Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others) Buy Download sample PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing) Buy No sample available RTF (readable on most word processors) Buy No sample available LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub) Buy Download sample Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices) Buy Download sample Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting) Buy No sample available Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page) Buy No sample available

This post is an entry at Blogjunta Dreams contest judged by Jyoti Arora, author of Dream's Sake

I dream about My son talking. He’s autistic, you know. I dream about A big house, A nice farm; A clean, green, beautiful homeland for my dearest wife and happiness for my two lovely girls that lasts a whole lifetime. If I can’t have what I dream about - My dreams are really pretty plain and small, sorry; Not as poetic as you'd like them to be, Not all those big things people talk of, I even dream of becoming rich! And winning a writing competition or two! Whether you want to believe it or not. - I prefer to sit and dream about Nothing,it's great to dream of blue void And entering it to go deep inside green or black nothing or white nothing or the glassy sea or a mirror or nothing, yes. If I can't have what I really want I'd rather dream of Nothing at all

Another requested review for Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought provoking compilation, October 2, 2011 By Angel Meredith (Burleson, Texas USA) - This review is from: Wrighteings: In Media Res (Paperback) When one reads a book such as this, it is apparent from the first chapter, that this is a collection of thoughts and opinions that have taken years to compile. Many ideas and much thought has gone into the explanation of the different subjects the author deals with and his feelings about how one relates to them. It's an intellectual look at relevant issues. If you are someone who likes contemplating multiple viewpoints, and values the deep thoughts of an intellectual, philosophical educated writer, you must read this book! For anyone who enjoys a challenging, thought provoking, information filled book, I would advise you to get this one! It covers a lot of ground and will titillate, intrigue and leave you wanting more!

Another review of my first book.

Dear Koshy, Thank you very much for sending me an e-copy of your book. I would have finished reading it long ago but my time for reading took a back seat when my brother and his family came to visit, then Ramadan and Eid festival and so on./ Two weeks ago, I began reading the essays in earnest. If I were to use just one word to describe the book I would choose “enlightening”. Every essay is a cache of knowledge with thought-provoking ideas and suggestions. The essays are replete with references and case studies to substantiate your viewpoint. I like the manner in which each topic is underpinned by extensive research./ Being a student of B.Sc Home-Economics, I had Education as one of my subjects in final year. Though it was mostly related to elementary education; model/ designs (Kindergarten, Nursery, and Montessori) we did study the theories of learning (Connectionist, behaviorist) concepts, designs, and development of curriculum (Hilda Taba), taxonomy of educational objectives, importance of evaluation and test designs. Your essays connected to education brought all that up in my mind. Topic 1,5 and 9 in your book are my favorites./ I wouldn’t say the book was an ‘airport fiction’; I had to keep a dictionary and Google search page open all the while./ Thank you once again for sharing your ‘nothing’ and ‘something’, the ‘meaningless’, and the ‘note-worthy’!/ God bless! Righteous Fool

Michele Baron's Review of my book "Wrighteings...In Media Res:

HITCH-HACKER’S GUIDE TO THE LEARNIVERSE: A REVIEW OF THE “WRIGHTEINGS” OF DR A.V.KOSHY

By Michele Baron

Beginning to read Wrighteings – 1. … in media res… by Dr. A. V. Koshy (& his brother, A.V. Varghese, in one paper) is like cross-training for an intellectual decathlon. A self-proclaimed autodidact of multifaceted interests, Dr. Koshy has put together the best samples of his writings from the last 12 years of his “pilgrimage” through life, work, the works of man, doubt, learning, identity, sense of self and nature of the Other.
Raised bilingually in Malayalam and English, Dr. Koshy was, is, a voracious reader, afficionado of the arts, online technologies, teacher by profession, and student by inclination. Wrighteings is a true labor of love. Dr. Koshy essentially formatted the book by hand, compiled the bibliographies and URL links, and edited it himself, and sent it to LAP Lambert Academic Publishing to bring the distillation of his thoughts to us, the readers fortunate enough to find, and peruse, his “writings.”
While you may have pulled up a comfortable chair to begin reading the fascinating compendium of essays, in essence, you should instead prepare for a brisk run on a track peopled with Rimbaud, and Heidegger, T.S. Eliot, Soren Kierkegaard, Arthur Adamov, with Charles Dickens and his “other,” Dostoevsky, author of Crime and Punishment, the title-tome of Dr. Koshy’s first essay.
“I is an other,” wrote Arthur Rimbaud. Viewing man’s situation, Dr. Koshy postulates that “Man knows himself as an Other without having chosen, willed or acted…” in contrast to Lucifer, who, “having alienated himself… became Satan (the adversary), an Other.” Exploring the relationship between Raskolnikov and Sonia in Dostoevsky’s classic, Dr. Koshy brings the incomprehensible universe of the tragic and hopeful into closer focus, interrelating it with Roland Barthes’ concept of “jouissance,” and the Sanskrit “satchitananda.” And then, expanding once again the kaleidoscopic universe of ‘otherness,’ Dr. Koshy explores recent and current events, asking whether minorities, the “ultimate test to man’s unproved claims of humanity” are to be constantly identified as dangerous, hunted, haunted, or allowed to survive… “Will the majority silence their voices, ignorantly mistaking one Other for another?”
In considering the gaps between Design and Art, between technological, theoretical, ideological and aesthetic matrices in East and West, between global scales, cultural melting pots, “clashes of civilization” and individual/community sustainability and needs, A.V. Varghese, Dr. Koshy’s brother and co-writer of this article, begins by quoting Dietrich Bonhoeffer-- “If you board the wrong train, there’s no use running along the corridor in the opposite direction”
Running through a de-cryption of the etymology of the word “Design,” we are treated to a consideration of art, literature, Persian carpets, and the mystery and awe of creation, “aestheticized” to activate understanding, to negate reality, or to set up a transcendent “other” scene in opposition or alternative to the reality facing us today. Dr. Koshy and his brother, A.V. Varghese look to design as more than personal expression, more than an idiosyncratic commentary on the “condition humaine,” to become, perhaps, a discipline enabling conditions of humanity, sustainability, development that is more than a brand, buzzword or a leveraged option for profit.
Design aficionados will recognize Dr. Koshy’s and A.V. Varghese’s consideration of thinkers including Baudrillard, Bruinsma and Steven Heller; laymen can construct a greater appreciation for the words, images and products that have powerful effects on our lives as consumers and informed participants in a shared civil, local/global society. In a discussion of art and artists from the classical to the surreal, concrete to indeterminate, of paintings and sculpture, of the contrasts between poetry, literature, the material and the spiritual (viz Martin Buber’s I-It and I-Thou relationships), the challenge is raised. Can design become natural, universalized to the extent that it ceases to be reactive, prey to and dependent upon the immediate, upon profit and popularity? Hearkening to the writings of Mustafa K. Tolba, A.V. Varghese and Dr. Koshy write of post-modern unity and disintegration in the wake of 9-11, searching for a concept of “healthy interactive design that can at least build fraternity, if not yet equality and liberty.”
Paralleling the understanding of cultures and values in West and East, and divisions of prosperity in “North/South” debates, and setting their homeland of India as an example of a nation at the crossroads of development, Dr. Koshy and A.V. Varghese write that “Design must discover its ideology or ideological bias if it seeks to engage with or enable the process of development, become a discipline and make a meaningful contribution to mankind’s endeavors to end unjust privileging.” Eschewing top-down design, reactive to a “culturally sanctioned elite” while excluding the “dalit/broken” (the Other), Koshy and Varghese envision the collectivity of effort that could open a “door of perception” for Design, and achieve a contiguous, peaceful, sustainable community. Cognizant Design would become effective in development, a shared endeavor that would “benefit recipients at the concrete level of sustainable development. Transformed, universalized to the extent that it “feeds the body/bodies of men all over the world as much as poetry and sculpture feed the spirit.” As ageless as the Golden Rule and admonitions to “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” the design-development equation cannot be sidestepped, to “ensure development by design, and enable design to create concrete objects in space and time to tackle the vast task of innovative, sustained, sustainable development.”
In many ways, Dr. Koshy writes as if he were creating the mythical Emperor’s new clothes, and, in fact, field-testing the outfit himself before bestowing it upon the Emperor, lest he be unaware of some aspect of its affect and effect. His assessment of the prolific writings and translations of Ram Mohun Roy could, in a sense, serve as a decryption for much of Koshy’s own walk through life, writings, and ‘rightings’ of inequalities and inconsistencies. Tackling gender issues, women’s rights, theological matters, concepts of politics and nationalism which crosses borders, blends East and West, North and South into a synthesis of reason and humanism, Dr. Koshy provides what might be a glimpse into his concepts of “the author.”
“Emersonian in a sense, Ram Mohun Roy (1772-1833) reveals to us through his works a multi-faceted chameleon of a personality that thrived on many things at the same time without ever actually feeling the need to define himself as this or that specifically.” Child marriage, gender-based infanticide and exploitation and the two-edged sword of “sati” (translated alternatively as “good woman” and “widow burning”), segregation, caste systems, discrimination based in differences of race, religion and origin were and are at a philosophically explosive center of a “resurgence of interest in the ancient lore of India...” and here are again brought into focus through the lens of present-day issues and events.
In delving into the life and works of Mohun Roy as social and religious reformer, translator and author, Dr. Koshy reviews and reiterates history himself, as concomitant to what might be a current version of the periodic “renaissance, revitalization and revival” that herald a cessation of fear and alienation/eradication of “Others”and the (female) “Advocate” by the (male) “Opponent” of historic and contemporary societies. Roy, Tagore, Pandita Ramabai are included in the review of writings of brave men and women “weighing the pros and cons of justice based on articles of common sense, reason, trust and conscience, applicable to all men and women;” bringing tolerance and expansion of those best qualities of human kind and the humane, here viewed through the many-hued prism of life in India.
Considering the history and future of humanity, and, more specifically, women, in India and beyond, Dr. Koshy assesses the polyphony of Raja Ram Mohun Roy’s works, translations, postulations, and looks forward to a happy, symbiotic future “where liberty and equality flourish because justice has been more than partially implemented regarding women’s issues, rights, studies and initiatives.” Lest we become mired in a zero-sum game of winners and losers, of clothed and unclothed, of the blissful, separate ignorance of extreme privilege and extreme privation, an awareness of history, viewed from our perch on the shoulders of those who preceded us, is a gift incomparable. Otherwise, we might find that we are the blithely unclothed in the presence of a local, and global, community of the needy, the underservered but deserving, the assessing, and the aware.
In “The Politics of Dissent,” his review of On Communalism and Globalization/Offensives of the Far Right by Aijaz Ahmed, Dr. Koshy calls forth again the challenge to “fight for the hearts and minds of our children… that they may grow up as people who will have the freedom to ‘choose’ their ideology and consciousness and not have it thrust on them through violence or ‘cultural’ brainwashing done through misuse of the vast political, economic, technical and technological machinery available to those in power.”
Although Dr. Koshy finds the book “a bit dated,” he enjoys the challenge of meeting philosophers like Hegel, Croce, Kant and Lenin, and setting them up in a test of strength against ‘romantic thinkers’ like Herder, Fichte and Nietzsche, and “early RSS giants” like Savarkar and Moonje… In a race for relevance to our times, when national ID cards carry rights to education, to economic security, to voting for political freedoms, when access to technological assets is almost a sine qua non of informed, participatory living, but large percentages of the world’s peoples still have little/no opportunity to learn of, let alone afford to purchase, power and connect internet or other media/connective devices, reading this distillation of political and philosophical thought is certainly more challenging than a typical ‘read’ of summer fiction, especially considering that “we” have evolved, at least a bit, beyond the political nascence described (decried) in its pages, cloaking contemporary intolerances/exclusions in different guise. Dr. Koshy closes this chapter noting, “however, it reminds us that, even in these troubled times, the right to speak out has not yet been entirely stifled in India…”
The “Roger Waters and Waking Born Tribute to 9/11 victims Music Video on Youtube” next receives consideration in Wrighteings. The Internet and broadband communications have enabled whole new groups of sharers, literate and “illiterate,” into a community of people who have never met, might never meet. This new, connected society works outside previously measured concepts, tout exchange and access rather than profit, and fosters millions of subcultures of those interested in a commonality of values and interest rather than political/economic/heritage-based selectors for affiliation and inclusion.
Our proclivity for exclusion and discrimination, for marginalizing whole groups of people has been cited, at least in part, for the unsustainable social structures which led to the tragedies of 9/11 and beyond. Against this somber background, in the harsh glare of the lyrics and music of Roger Waters, references to the fallible/failed images of Stanley Kubrick’s portrayals of human(un)kind, and postulations that Darwin might have gotten the theory of evolution upside down, Dr. Koshy takes the entertainment/escape view of the music video, and evaluates it instead through a “composite conglomerate of issues.” Life is at a crisis point. Music Videos are for Slackers. Games are for Escapists. Serious problems require Serious Solutions. “Should we spend our time reading technical manuals instead? That is the modern equivalent of Nero fiddling.”
“Are we finally finding a parallel to reality, in the realm of human expression that can somehow subtly say what we actually wanted to say and mean what we hope to mean? Or is this just another mirage, the reality being that we finally have at our disposal only one more means to create an art that is forever freed from its referent… a multiverse that keeps breeding but never contains any trace” of the historical inadequacies and realities which prompted its creation? Is this just a depiction, but not a departure from the inadequacies of a Man-defined-God, poised uneasily on a man-made Babel’s Tower of oil, power, dehumanizing violence, isolating cultural exclusivity? The cover image on the book makes sense here.
Is 9/11 a subject for art? The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, America’s counter-attack, the attack on the World Trade Center and other US sites—appropriate themes for casting with Kubrick’s monkey and a postulation that “man may actually be an inferior rather than an evolved form of life, if he is to be judged by his acts in history”?
We have an uneasy relationship with the technologies of connection, speed, transfer, accessibility and power which we ourselves are developing; those with access do not always exercise restraint in their own wielding of power, but, rather, exclusion of all others seeking equality. We have arrived at a juncture where destruction is again possible, if not imminent. But, with freely-shared information, art, values, we can meet at this crossroads, without conflict, and perhaps change the decisions/actions/future of the social juggernauts which have arrived with us here, from the past. Taking up the flame, voicing onward the clarion call, Dr. Koshy closes this essay on Roger Waters and the (9/11) music video/Youtube by stating that the “race of human beings require chroniclers who will keep alive the memories of past wrongs man has done to other men and to himself so that history intelligently documented as it is done in this video will not be a discipline for fools but will teach all men everywhere to hope for a better tomorrow and dream of a future where all men will live at peace with each other…”
In “Democratizing Teaching English Language and Literature in India,” Dr. Koshy reads Jane Sahi, who borrows from Gandhi his metaphor for education—something, in turn, which Gandhi took from Nature, of plants nurtured by a loving gardener. The gardener and garden carefully tended represent a metaphor recurrent throughout our history of tribes and cultures of a scattered mankind repeatedly faced with imbalances of expansion, depletion and challenges to establish and sustain food security, peace, and all the variables in between.
For Dr. Koshy, the metaphor concerning teaching and learning lies also in the parable of the Sower and the Seed in the Gospel of Luke. Not all “gardens” provide the nurturing or the resources necessary for students, for the future decision-makers of our interdependent planet, to survive, let alone prosper, and take up, in turn, their responsibilities to teach, lead, nurture.
Moving from the Edenic to the Gandhian and the New Testament gardening images, the essay introduces, among others, Anita Rampal, an advocate presumably standing firmly in the forefront of the battle to make education a matter of quality for the students of the rural poor (and, one assumes, the urban poor) in India in this twenty-first century of our modern “sowing” and “growth,” of education and real life. Jane Sahi, Paulo Freire, Jean Piaget, and lauded icons of the development of education balance at yet another forking in the roads examined by Dr. Koshy. Brought to specificity through consideration of major educators and thinkers in India, the essay raises questions spanning a plethora of issues: Nehru (three language formula), Ambedkar (abolition of caste inequality), Tagore (humanism), and Krisnamurti (choiceless awareness). Honing the vast possibilities of democratization of education and curriculum to a narrower line, Dr. Koshy outlines a syllabus and suggestions for guiding student, teacher, and thinker-participant (both) in the process of education.
“Poetry should delight and instruct,” wrote Horace; Dr. Koshy writes that if ‘poetry’ is replaced by ‘education,’ nothing would be lost. Delight in learning, mastery and expression can give rise to a harmony of the learned, the learner, learning itself, mediator and ‘active receptacle’— and the constant improvement of education as our GPS through the challenges of life.
And, beyond the socio-economic and political considerations, Dr. Koshy explores the challenges facing the “sower” – the teacher or facilitator of learning, and the “seeds” – the students/co-investors/movers in the learning process. English as a Second Language (ESL), the democratization of English, “new” dialects and versions (SMS/texting English, “online chat” boxes, ‘new spell’ and icons and acronyms accepted as words) are all considered in the light of literacy, literature, and life.
The teacher/educator in Dr. Koshy is visible through his next phrases: “The only peaceful war ‘we’ facilitators need to constantly wage, therefore, is one whereby there is a ceaseless effort to keep closing the gap between our notions of perfection and our consistently and constantly evolving ways of professionalizing our teaching and facilitating practices and strategies. This has to be done while continuing to sound each other out in the process of learning from each other. This may temporarily create the meeting point between real and constructivist teaching.” Thence, one assumes, to uncharted territories of possible, more-sustainable futures, dependent upon the active participation of participants and colleagues in learning and life.
The frustrated author, the reaching assayer of arts and film rises in “Why Sergei Paradjanov and his Films MATTER.” Breaking his word to write (and publish) an article on “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors,” “Ashik Kerib,” “The Colour of Pomegranates” and “Legend of Suram Fortress,” Dr. Koshy watched the films (and kept the films sent by the magazine publisher), viewed the paintings, read the images of and influences on Paradjanov’s works and life. He showed sections of the films to audiences young and old, garnered their reactions (appreciative, and negative, respectively). He reveled in the impression that Paradjanov, working in a medium which can appeal only to the eye and ear, fed all five senses, and the heart, mind, and soul of the viewers with his films.
Hearkening back to the “Other,” “I am he whose soul is tortured,” a line from Sayat Nova’s poetry, sounds repeatedly in “The Colour of Pomegranates.” The essay paints the images of the films in the words on his pages, linking them to literature, videos, music icons, the mythologies of our past, the realization of our ever more arduous present. (Except in “Ashik,” where Dr. Koshy states that Paradjanov “enters such a strange realm of excellence that even I don’t have the courage to follow him there by trying to describe in words the curious ‘spectacle’ he serves up…” –although, apparently ever a rebel, Dr. Koshy tries anyway, writing of the scene with “images of driftwood and a desert where tumbleweed flies aimlessly about in the shifting and rollicking sand and wind. I have not yet been able to conjure up a better metaphor for mere meaninglessness.”)
Viewing films of Paradjanov, Tarkovsky, Bergman, Pasolini, Satyajit Ray and others, the author confesses to a “subversive” inclusion of the works of Mandelstam, Akhmatova and Babel, the minimalists poised in contrast to the maximalists in an essay written by a youthful Ampat Koshy. All, especially now Paradjanov, celebrated here again, for the flow of their images, the profusion of symbols and emblems and motifs, in lights and sounds, rather than static words, or music videos… for the stories which allow us to suspend our preoccupations and presuppositions and step into the moments and minutae of lives metamorphosed into celluloid, into digital images/sounds, into 3D and holographic interactives. Folktales brought through the passages of time and culture, now accessible, with internet and other media, to all ages and cultures.
“Revolutionaries know that it is dangerous to begin to understand the past. But artists know that the past is the only material we have at hand to work with. No one has worked with the past, whether of these now-war-torn places and their rich cultures… or the past of film itself, as well as Paradjanov… He tried to raise film to the levels of religion, beauty, love, sex and truth and his failure is one of art’s happiest successes.”
Turning again to education, to interactions between the learning self and the world, Dr. Koshy treats us to his essay “Deconstructing Brunerian Constructivism,” which he calls basically sound, but not humanizing enough. He argues that the system of education has been contaminated by ‘entrepreneurial middlemen’ between learners and learning, teachers and taught, upholding old ideals of power, access and appropriate-leveling/theories of learning, and other social, political and economic constructs.
Drawing on his own experience as an educator and facilitator as well as a rich background of textual and vicarious edification, Dr. Koshy outlines the constructivist learner, the process, the spiraling building blocks of knowledge and experience and the world/environment as life-referent, and the role of the facilitator.
The challenge of establishing and maintaining an accessible, equitable system of education/learning/participation in a vast nation like India is confronted—gaps are located, inadequacies identified. Dr. Koshy asks, “what is the price tag on education for rich kids?” Do the children of privilege receive an elite education, augmented by pleasant multi-media diversions and enhancements not available to their less fortunate (‘other’) counterparts? Is the quality of education, the effective implementation of non-inclusive/non-accomodating theories of learning (like Bruner’s) indirectly fostering a new caste system (in India, and by extension, the world at large) reinforcing the “only lesson valued by the ‘strong’ of the world—how to increase in power and wealth and become rulers (of those excluded from such holistic education)?”
The author contends that the cost, the expense of a gap-fraught system of education can become fatal if the learners, the facilitators, the funders of learning, and the leaders of the societies do not strive to reach and maintain a developed awareness and an equality of the interdependence of the living web of life on this earth. The few cannot consider themselves greater than the sum of the parts. “Any theory of learning which ultimately doesn’t send the learner in the direction of truth, and that includes responsibility to all one’s fellow men, is, by inference, incomplete and needs deconstruction so that one may come up with a practice that creates in the signifier the innate drive to ask the age-old question: What is really significant enough to learn in the brief life each human being has on earth?”
Something that Dr. A.V. Koshy has found significant enough to learn, as a teacher/facilitator of learning, ESL and expression, is investigated in “One more ‘Raid on the Inarticulate’…Future of Creative Writing/ {C(o)urses}. Myths, taboos, plagiarism, the labyrinth, self as teacher, self as writer, the non-self (but not “Other”) as contemporary, predecessor, competitor are all explored, counterpoint atop a continuo of self-assessment and literary comparisons.
“Make a tree.” For Plato, the poet is a maker, both divine and dangerous. Like the Revolutionary in a previous essay, the power to understand the past, to synthesize meaning for the present, and direction for the future holds the power of creation, God-head in the demagoguery of human(un)kind.
For Tolkien, the myth-maker is a sub-creator, made in the image of God. Good, evil, faith, doubt are tested again and again in epic journeys and minute realizations. For Dr. Koshy, the poet, myth-maker, author and facilitator is the epitome of hope, of a lifetime of searching for truth, railing against realities, and reaching for something beyond the branded commodities of convenience and obsolescence—for the memorable, the valuable, for that which reminds us there is vastness which exceeds comprehension, even while striving to comprehend, and expressing the realization of it.
And he exercises his utilization of adjectival links at the same time, sarcasm and catharsis blending in a poetic evaluation of his own drive to facilitate learning and the inspiration to learn; to weave that carpet of meaning, perfect save one purposeful weaver’s “error;” to portray, if not make, that mythic tree.
“What poor unknown ailing aging unfortunate randomness-spouting pointless poet doesn’t like being treated like a rockstar, even if it’s only once in a lifetime, for a brief flash of a second? ... I keep writing. To write something that will survive only if God or others ‘won’t willingly let’ it ‘die,’ that is my goal. I pass this philosophy on to my students unwittingly and as a result I am perhaps destroying them. Perhaps not.”
Ever questioning, Dr. Koshy returns again to learning, asking if it is “Time for Education to Die?” The autodidact and his GPS for erudition and commonsense, wondering if one could “construct his own path of learning or better still design it, or forego learning itself entirely and be found able to navigate life…” Present-day technologies enable a new learning space, populated not only with the directly-identifiable participants, but with the problem-solving interactivity of crowd sourcing and “swarming.”
If it is possible, now, to posit an open, accessible, win-win learning process, interactive and interest-driven, rather than profit-derived and exclusionary, perhaps the ‘gaps’ of presentation, retention and achievement can be eradicated, equity of accommodation, application and accomplishment made ‘multiversal.’
Concepts and styles of literacy, learning and location are, again, expanded, deconstructed, and tested on these pages. “Education is not monolithic. It is protean.” Educators around the world are celebrating online and multi-media connectivity and interactivity, some taking every opportunity to test the boundaries and viability of educational mores, class-room evaluations, national ranking systems. Walking, working, writing among these, Dr. Koshy informs his evaluation of current practices in education with realities in India today.
Praising mentor and key Indian eduationist Geetha Narayanan’s “brilliant idea of enactive design,” and Geetanjali Sachdev’s developing (and recognizable) idea of looking at subjectivities behind systems, Dr. Koshy, arguing for summative assessment to be dismissed entirely from the tier of assessment, ever the instigator, re-introduces an arguable note of gender specificity into his writing… “These women are interesting and intriguing innovators, but like mothers they are only starting with clearing the ground carefully. It is for the sons to raze the prisons to the ground so that no stone is left on stone of the shrine or temple of learning.”
Dr. Koshy grounds his positions in his own experiences and ongoing vita as teacher, facilitator, generalist and specialist, informs the dialog with awareness of the work/works of others, testing himself, others, process, procedure, and results, recognition and “nameless” striving for a better, inclusive future—tasks of bringing equity to education, flavor to learning, understanding to sight, sound, meaning, love and plurality and inclusion to philosophy. “Immersed in living and multiplicity and plurality… [Dr. Koshy sums his journey temporarily with] what was once said long ago by an other: ‘Disenchanted, he become dispassionate. Through dispassion, he is fully released. With full release, there is the knowledge, ‘Fully released.’ He discerns that ‘Birth is depleted, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world.’ (Fire Sermon)”
This is not “light summer reading” by any means. It represents some twelve years, encapsulated from an ongoing lifetime of thinking, and selected writings. While it may be cross-training for the thinking polyglot and student alike, it is not a book one can digest in a day. However, like all good exercise programs, repetition and follow-up improve skill, understanding, mastery and capacity.
Long summer days and lighted winter evenings might be well-companioned by the thoughts and thinkers populating the pages of Wrighteings, however, and even as a sort of ‘hitchhiker’s guide’ to the fires of meaning, learning, expression and life, Dr. Koshy’s collection of essays provides multiple levels for contemplation and reference. And the personal style and generous quotes and references salting the work lend much to savor, and, like any good cross-training program, make reading the collection of writings in Wrighteings good literary fun.

On the author of the review: Michele Baron is a Fulbright scholar on local/indigenous arts and Master-class, Teacher, Project Developer/Volunteer (Hajj for Humanity), Concert and Performance Soloist/Artist and an URGENT EVOKE/WB Social Innovator of the Class of 2010. She is a thinker, soprano, writer and artist of extraordinary ability.
http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/MicheleBaron


Book Details:
Wrighteings
In Media Res
LAP Lambert Academic Publishing ( 2011-05-27 )
ISBN-13: 978-3-8443-9731-4
ISBN-10: 3844397310
EAN: 9783844397314

By (author) : Ampat V. Koshy
Ampat V. Varghese
Number of pages: 116
Published at: 2011-05-27
Category: Pedagogy
https://www.lap-publishing.com/catalog/details/store/gb/book/978-3-8443-9731-4/wrighteings
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Michele Baron's Page - Urgent Evoke

Michele Baron's Page on Urgent Evoke
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+2 by You, Ampat Varghese

Ampat Varghese - A brilliant review of a book that few in India will dare read carefully.
11:06 AM +1