The Singer of Alleppey

by Pramila Venkateswaran

This collection of just over sixty poems tells the story of the author's paternal grandmother, Sitala, who lived in Kerala, South India, in the early to middle twentieth century. A composer of songs, Sitala was known to use her art to negotiate her position as a woman, wife, and colonial subject. Though the author, Pramila Venkateswaran, knows little about the details of her grandmother's life and none of her songs were preserved, Venkateswaran interviewed older living relatives in Alleppey, Kerala, and listened to folk music that would have influenced her grandmother's songs in order to chronicle Sitala's life and art. As Meena Alexander observes, "Moving through the cycles of day and night, these poems evoke the arc of a woman's life, from the blossoming of young adulthood into the decay of old age." Venkateswaran creatively uses the rhythms of local musical forms such as kummi, kudiattam, naatu paadal (folk song) and vanchipaatu (boat song) to tell the stories about a woman living and growing old in India in the last century.

114 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has a collection of sixty poems. The poems are deep, evocative, powerful and touching. The author has dipped truth and resentment in rhymes and poetry of soul. The words are so deep and sharp that they will reach to the readers soul. The Author has shared about her paternal grandmother too. There was a description of local musical forms too including Kummi, Kudiattam etc

Author has taken us deep inside the lives of women in the colonial period. I loved reading about Indian mythology poems too. The author has described the innumerable emotions we feel. The themes that the poems follow are love, loss, pain, violence, and resentment

Thanks to the Author

[Shreyoshi Chakraborti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book The Singer of Poetry is a short rendition of poems in the memory of the author Pramila Venkateswaran’s grandmother whose life was tumultuous during the era of Indian independence. The book speaks about Alleppey which is called the Venice of India, because that’s the only city with backwaters in the state of Kerala, also known as ‘The God’s Country’.

Pramila in addition to this book is the author of 6 other books of poetry. Raised in Bombay, Pramila lives on Long Island New York and teaches English and Women’s Studies. Pramila who never knew her grandmother wrote this book by imagining her persona to be a singer.

The book covers wisdom from the ancient epic texts Mahabharata and speaks about the characters and how they are relevant to real life.

Also its about Indian Independence, so it talks about Gandhiji and other freedom fighters and their role in making the country a better place. I had visited Kerala in 2012 and have been on boats through the backwaters in Alleppey. Its an amazing experience. The sate is very tropical and has beautiful coastline of the Arabian Ocean.

The book resonated with my memories and also envisioning my country of birth and remembering my family and friends back home.

[Cma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Singer of Alleppey
Author : Pramila Venkateswaran

This book is a tribute by the author to her paternal grandmother, though she has little knowledge of her life, but the authors research and with the help connecting with her older relatives she weaved this beautiful book which is a collection of 60 poems, her grandmother was a singer but none of her songs are archived or recorded, but within these poems a reader glides through the different phases of a women’s life.. right from adolescence to dark depths of death.
The author has used the beauty of the folk songs , to capture the magic in these poems which mesmerise a reader and is also thought provoking and stabs deep into one’s heart.
As the life of her grandmother is during the pre-independence era where women were suppressed and never given a voice of their own. The poems captured the true essence of the pain women have faced and how often women were abused physically and mentally.
These poems not only weaves the story of her grandmother but shows the bigger picture of that era.. The songs of her grandmother (Sitala) kept her soul alive even in the face of adversity..
The author did a commendable job with these poems and it’s truly a wonderful book.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Singer of Alleppey is a collection of 60 poems. I have to say poetry is not my forte, but these are poems straight from the heart. The emotions are vivid and so raw. I felt every single one.

 I thought the fact that she wrote these as a tribute to her paternal grandmother. The author has poured so much energy and emotion into researching her grandmother and her life. It's very clear this is a personal endeavour. It is very much an intimate interwoven collection of poetry that has the power to change how one sees everything.

I found myself so immersed in this book, and all I can say is, even if you aren't keen on poetry, give it a go. That what I did and surprised myself.
Thanks to the author and Stephanie Rabell from Book and Winelovers marketing for the gifted book, in exchange for an honest review.

 

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of poems would make a perfect coffee table discussion piece. I loved the poems that I was able to read. They are quick and easy reads but have such scenery within the words. I really enjoyed her descriptions of nature and the little pieces of her we get to see in the diary entries and short stories. This is the perfect read if you only have a few minutes here or there but want something to keep your mind occupied with. I look forward to reading the entries and poems I did not yet get to read. I really liked the Boat Song and Come, Dance with Me in the Rain. Thank you to the author for the complementary ebook and to Book & Wine Lovers Marketing for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Sharon Hudrlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, and to everyone who reached out to me to read and review this book.
I’ve haven’t read a poetry book, in such a long time.
But I loved it. The rawness that it was written, you can feel the pain, the joy, the anger, the bitterness of it all.
I’ve never read poetry like this, and I do hope it won’t be my last.
Thank you again for this amazing opportunity.

[Nimalee Ravi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read poetry, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this selection of poetry. The writing was very powerful and touching. It was very interesting learning about the colonial period.

Even though the poetry is quick and an easy read, it is packed with vivid descriptions and emotions. If you like poetry, this is definitely a must-read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this poem book by Pramila Venkateswaran. The book is all about her grandmother's journey in life. I learned so much about the Indian culture. This type of book is perfect for your night table. Reading a poem or two a night.