Mohua Chinappa stands as a beacon of storytelling prowess, seamlessly weaving narratives of displacement, gender struggles, and cultural-economic shifts into her impactful content. As an accomplished author, columnist, and the host of "The Mohua Show" podcast, she fearlessly tackles societal issues, amplifying voices that often go unheard.
Her book, "Nautanki Saala and Other Stories," serves as a testament to her ability to capture the essence of contemporary challenges. Through her writing, she delves into the complexities of cultural and economic transformations, shedding light on the human experiences within these shifting landscapes. The book's translation into Hindi broadens its reach, making her narratives accessible to a wider audience.
Beyond the written word, Mohua's podcasting ventures further her mission of fostering dialogue and facilitating change. Through "The Mohua Show," she provides a platform for marginalized voices, allowing them to share their stories and perspectives with the world. In doing so, she helps dismantle barriers and challenge societal norms.
Mohua's impact extends beyond her literary and podcasting endeavors. As a TEDx speaker, she brings her insights and experiences to global audiences, inspiring others to take action and advocate for positive change. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the numerous awards she has received, including the prestigious Change-maker Award.
In addition to her professional achievements, Mohua is deeply committed to empowering women through her initiative, NARI. With a focus on amplifying the voices of Indian homemakers, NARI seeks to provide a platform for these often overlooked individuals to share their stories, struggles, and triumphs.
With her latest book, "If Only It Were Spring Everyday | Relatable Poems on Love, Pain, and Life," Mohua continues to captivate audiences with her poignant reflections on the human experience. Through relatable poetry, she explores themes of love, pain, and the intricacies of life, offering solace and insight to readers navigating their own journeys.
Mohua Chinappa's unwavering dedication to storytelling, advocacy, and empowerment serves as an inspiration to us all. Through her work, she not only entertains and enlightens but also sparks conversations and drives meaningful change in the world.
1. Congratulations on the release of your new book, "If Only It Were Spring Everyday: Relatable poems on love, pain, and life." Could you share with us what inspired you to compile this collection of poems?
>Thank you for your words of support.
Everyday I write the emotional experiences that stir me from within. Stories that move me and touches me deeply. Emotions of pain, anger being overwhelmed are universal and I thought my writings would maybe touch a chord with many others, like me, who feel too much. Therefore, I decided to compile them into a book of poems.
2. Your previous work, "Nautanki Saala and Other Stories," delved into cultural-economic shifts. How does "If Only It Were Spring Everyday" continue this exploration, if at all?
>Yes it is very much a continuation of the same exploration. It is a homage to the universal search among human beings for the elusive, that often one can’t articulate. A longing, a thirst that remains unquenched. It is also an articulation about the changes or the layers of skin that dissolves within the shifts in life. The political and social changes that drive people to being uprooted and destroyed. It is this search that continues as a thread in my work.
3. Your podcast, The Mohua Show, amplifies voices facilitating change. How does your experience as a podcaster influence your work as a poet and author?
>Both are different mediums. They can’t be compared.
Writing for me is a spiritual journey of the self. The brokenness within me finds light when I sit to write. I heal with my writing.
The interviews on the podcast that I conduct definitely helps me understand the universal connection of human beings across different cultures and levels, which essentially remains universal in nature. This maybe subconsciously reflecting on my written words too, of which I remain unaware.
4. Your initiative, NARI, aims to empower the unheard voices of Indian homemakers. How does this initiative inform the themes and perspectives present in your poetry?
>NARI was started with the aim of creating a space for the 160 million unheard voices of the homemakers of India.
The initiative definitely has an influence on my work and is present in the expressions of gratitude and empathy that you may find in my work. I remain eternally grateful for the supporters and committed to endeavouring on becoming a voice for the unheard.
5. The description of your book suggests a deep resonance with the struggles of humanity, including issues like gender violence and environmental degradation. How do these themes manifest in your poetry, and what message do you hope to convey to your readers?
>It is my protest against the abject loss of humanity towards issues of gender violence, the collective silence of many people in power. My anger towards the injustices meted out to the innocent and the silence of nature around us, that is defiled everywhere and everyday.
6. As a TEDx speaker and recipient of the Change-maker Award, you have a platform to address pressing societal issues. How do you use your poetry as a tool for social change and advocacy?
>I am unsure of the changes, I can truly bring about, but I know that if my writings can touch a handful of people and make them question the injustices, think of looking at the world through a more humane lens, then I know it’s been worth the effort of becoming naked with my truth on my sheets of paper. Because as authors, we reveal ourselves deeply to the outside world and a part of me fears to be misunderstood for my expressions and art. Also I don’t wish to hurt anyone.
7. Can you tell us about the process of curating and organizing the poems in "If Only It Were Spring Everyday"? What themes or emotions were central to your selection?
>One can’t choose emotions. They choose us. So the process is organic between me and my words. It’s an unending love story between us, that I pray lasts forever.
8. Your poetry is described as both celebratory of love and reflective of pain. How do you strike a balance between these contrasting emotions in your writing, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?
>I don’t understand words like balance. As there is no balance in grief or loss, it is highly intense and can be dysfunctional too.
I hope the readers can hear the muffled voices of the underdog, whose mouth remains muzzled forever in every society.
9. The title of your book evokes imagery of renewal and hope. How do you infuse themes of hope and resilience into your poetry, particularly when addressing difficult or painful subject matter?
>Without hope, we can’t live. So I hope that after the cold winter, scorching summer, pretty spring will arrive soon, with fresh flowers and happiness.
10. Lastly, what do you hope readers will feel or experience after reading "If Only It Were Spring Everyday"? And how do you envision your poetry contributing to larger conversations about love, pain, and the human experience?
>I do hope my poems touch a part of my readers heart and we can continue the conversations that remain unheard forever. Because voices matter.
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