Dr. Ritu Kamra Kumar, an avid and eminent Indian writer, columnist, literary Scholar and a renowned academic, has contributed immensely to the enrichment of Indian Writings in English more than 350 articles, short stories and poems in National newspapers and International Anthologies of Prose and Poetry. Around 35 research papers of her have been published in national and international research journals and anthologies. She is the author of five best of the books which are very near to hearts of the readers of every class. She has been featured among Empowered Women in The Hindustan Times in 2020 and ‹Featured Writer of the Month› in December 2021 International Poetry Planet Magazine (Philippines). She has been awarded the ‹Indian Woman Achiever Award› by Asian Literary Society in 2022 and 2023. Known for her heart touching poetry collection, “The Peerless Pearls”, she engages with the Daily Guardian and sheds light on her literary journey.
Excerpts
Q. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. It happened by chance. I have been a voracious reader since my adolescence and used to scribble my thoughts in my personal diary. Then wrote for college magazine, Research papers and chapters in Academic books and finally started writing for newspapers, first in the letter to editor column and then full-fledged write ups. So it wasn›t sudden impulse but a journey that happened instinctively.
Q. What is your real – life work schedule like when writing?
A. Ideas crop up anywhere, strolling in the garden or sitting among friends or teaching students literature. I just crystalize them in the scroll of my mind and usually sit to write late in evenings. My professional commitments as principal of an Higher Education Institution keep me busy but still writing is my passion, write I must everyday as writing rejuvenates and refreshes my mind.
Q. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
A. Sitting among people, I have the knack of reading countenance and noting their idiosyncrasies and writing stories about them on the floor of my mind and all the time thinking of reaching home and putting them on paper.
Q. How do your books get published?
A. My first book on Shashi Deshpande works was purely academic one that got published in 2017.My second book – The Priceless Petals got published in 2019 and credit for that goes Mr Vinayak- Executive Editor of Hindustan Times for which I have been writing since 2015 for their Spice of Life Column.When I completed 100 write ups,he suggested I must compile my work and wrote foreword for my book.It was published by Authors press, Delhi.
Q What are your favourite books to read?
A. My favourite are classics by Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison, Arundati Roy Dorris Lessing and poetry of Wordsworth,T.S Eliot and among contemporary poets Santosh Bakya,Satbir Chadha and Lily Swarn
Q. Where do you get ideas for your writing?
A. Aristotle wrote- In All the things of nature there is something of the marvellous.So conversation with people,nature gives me enough and keep my pen busy to write and tell untold stories.
Q. What might be your next book about?
A. My next book under publication is an Anthology of poems and another in the pipeline is the compilation of Middles published in the leading national and International newspapers and magazines
Q. What do you do when you aren›t writing?
A. I believe one›s life is a gift of God so when not writing,pursuing duties of heart, I am either immersed in duties of life or happily busy in celebrating every moment of life with family,friends,colleagues and students.I believe in Roman Philosopher Seneca›s words- So long you live,keep learning how to live.
Q. What does your family think of your writing?
A. My family is highly supportive and applaud, appreciate and celebrate my writing by doing the tasks that I forget to do because of my tryst with writing. When I am writing they do what Wordsworth says» Stop here or gently pass»
Q. Do you base your characters on real people?
A. Yes, many a time after all most of the writings are autobiographical. If you aren›t writing your story, you are writing somebody else›s story. My readers do tell me» How do your writings seem to be written based on their personal experiences?» I just smile but it is immensely satisfying.
Q. How many books have you written?
A. I have written 5 books and 2 are under publication.
Configurational Coordinates of Woman›s Space in Select Novels of Shashi Deshpande
The Priceless Petals
The Strokes of Solitude
Kalp Virkish- A Journey of Passion, Compassion and Philanthropy on Mukand Parivar
E.The Peerless Pearls ( A Collection of Poems)
Q. Do you hear from readers?
A. Yes, many mails I receive from them and at the end of my books I have dedicated a section to Readers Reflections. Their constant and consistent support is motivation strong and sagacious. I feel humbled and honoured by their kindness.