Rachna Singh, Editor, The Wise Owl talks to Ketaki Mazumdar about her book 'Toasted Orange Embers.'

Rachna Singh, Editor, The Wise Owl talks to Ketaki Mazumdar, who is an educationist and a poet. She is the recipient of many awards, for her book Toasted Orange Embers, including the “Emily Dickinson” Award, the Ukiyoto “Poet of the Year 2025” Award, the Sahitya Sparsh Award for “Inspirational Poetry”. Her poetry reflects her excitement with the beauty of nature, emotions of grief, joy and love and also gently touches on the spirituality and mysticism of life.

 

Thank you Ketaki for talking to The Wise Owl about your poetry collection ‘Toasted Orange Embers.’

 

RS: Toasted Orange Embers is a beautifully evocative title. Could you share the story behind it? What emotions or imagery did you want it to evoke in the reader?

 

KM: Embers is a powerful word for me, personally. The blazing fire may die out but the orange and red embers smoulder and glow for a very long time. A fire can be restarted from these very embers. My book is about this resilience. It’s that spark, metaphorically the will, that keeps us going through the toughest times. I wanted to evoke in the readers, this energy and the will to survive and to keep going.

 

RS: Your poetry explores a rich spectrum of human emotions—love, passion, loss, spirituality, and healing. Was there a central thread that tied the poems together, or did they emerge organically from different phases of your life?

 

KM: My poems emerge organically and unforced from the day-to-day explosions of my thoughts and emotions. There is, however, a central theme which is an integral part of my poems and me. Love and a need to empathise, comfort and heal is the core of this tapestry.

 

RS: The collection has been described as "pulsating with life" while also embracing "mystical mysteries." How do you intertwine everyday human experiences with the more ethereal and spiritual aspects of existence in your poetry?

 

KM: Nothing happens in isolation. For me, “mystical mysteries” are a part of my everyday life. My spiritual connection is an everyday occurrence. Prayers, chants, the fragrance of incense, the tinkle of temple bells and meditation is a beautiful part of waking up to sunshine, bird songs and the everyday patter of all aspects of life. Frankly it’s a balance of work, wonder, belief, awe and gratitude that merges seamlessly with total authenticity.

 

 

RS: Your poetry has been described as a "tapestry of deep and subtle colours." Do you think in terms of visuals when you write? How important is imagery in crafting the emotional landscape of your poems?

 

KM: Imagery is as important as rhythm to me in poetry. I think in terms of an incident, a place, an object of nature, a season. The emotion and detail come first and then the imagery and colour, surrounding the thought. I am very observant, watching carefully and feeling the energy, just as an artist would see and notice colours, movement, reflections, light and shadow and vibrancy of life, in the canvas they paint. I love absorbing my surroundings and my readers always point out the vivid imagery and deep detailing that resonate with them too.

 

RS: Are there any particular poems in Toasted Orange Embers that hold a special place in your heart? Could you share the inspiration behind one of them?

 

KM: All the poems in the book are like my babies… each one has a special connection. I share my inspiration of the poem ‘Indian Summer Noon’. I wrote it with great nostalgia, as it depicts a picture of my own home in Kolkata, my childhood memories, the hot humid summer afternoons, the smell of mogras in a bowl and the picture of objects, typically Bengali, laid on a marble table. I love the last line “life flows here… even in noon stupor.”

 

RS: Poetry is often considered the most intimate form of writing. Do you follow a structured writing process, or do you write more intuitively when inspiration strikes? How do you refine and edit your work to maintain its raw emotional depth?

 

KM: I certainly don’t follow a structured writing process. I like there to be a freedom and a natural flow. If you read “With a Cup of Cinnamon Tea” from my book, it describes perfectly my writing process. “Writings begin without warning”, and then “all can wait as my pen scribbles with ideas that cannot wait.” As much as possible, I like my poetry to remain authentic and raw. Do read the poem The Nomad, “I’m carried by the wind with embers burning…”, the rawness remained here and so did the intimacy. I sometimes edit line breaks as that changes the whole tone of poems.

 

RS: What are the greatest challenges you face as a poet? Have you ever encountered writer’s block, and if so, how do you overcome it?

 

KM: Very frankly, I have never experienced writer’s block. I am a passionate and prolific writer. I write every day, sometimes one, sometimes more than one, sometimes early in the morning, sometimes at midnight. Since my poems are a product of my experiences, I would love to travel extensively, interact in cozy poetry groups with poets and enjoy nature rambles. Such experiences would enhance my imagination and my creativity.

 

RS: If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring poets who want to write with depth and emotional authenticity, what would it be?

 

KM: Aspiring poets must begin with passion, good vocabulary, in-depth observation, listening skills, be self-critical, write every day, keep a journal handy to jot down ideas. This is a ‘one’ sentence good luck charm to all aspiring poets!

 

RS: Are you currently working on another collection or exploring new themes in your poetry? What’s next for you as a writer?

 

KM: Excitement and passion are still bubbling in me. I will definitely write another book of poems, write in various anthologies, be a part of various poetry groups, take part in poetry competitions and write poetry in mystical and beautiful locations.

 

Thank you for talking with The Wise Owl. We wish you the very best on all your creative endeavours.