Mannat Arora Speaks- Poetry Contributor of The Shakti Within

Posted by On November 08, 2024 0 Comment
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Mannat Arora is a freelance content and creative writer. She has been a co-author in multiple poetry anthologies. When she’s not working, she loves to read and paint. She’s also a content creator and shares her work on her Instagram account – @thecosmicwords_. She has a deep interest in literature, psychology, and spirituality. In conversation with Samata Dey – Founder Indiacafe24.com and compiler and editor of The Shakti Within- Durga’s Call

Mannat, thank you for joining us! Before diving into your powerful poem Savior in the anthology The Shakti Within- Durga’s Call, could you share what inspired you to start writing poetry? What role does poetry play in your personal and creative journey?

Thank you for having me as a part of this wonderful anthology. My writing journey started when I was 13. I had an intense urge to pen something while reading a chapter from “And The Mountains Echoed” by Khaled Hosseini. Since then, I’ve never stopped.
Poetry plays a huge role in my life. I’m currently working as a Freelance Writer and the reason for choosing this career can be traced to writing poetry as a child. I believe writing is the ultimate form of healing. Whether you’re a professional writer or not, penning your thoughts is the best way to find solace from your raging mind.

“Savior” speaks to self-empowerment, encouraging individuals to become their own protectors. What personal experiences or observations inspired this call to action in your poem?

My poem “Savior” was written after being immensely disturbed by seeing rape cases making headlines daily in India. I wanted to write a poem that acts as a wake-up call for women, myself included, telling them nobody else is coming to save their dignity. Thus, women must become their “savior”.

Your poem evokes the imagery of Durga and Krishna, blending mythology with modern struggles. What made you draw from these mythological references, and how do they resonate with contemporary challenges?

India is a country were mythological tales influence life greatly. The story of Draupadi being saved by Krishna when the Kauravas attempted to disrobe her came to my mind while writing this poetry. But, seeing the current scenario, I wanted to spread a message to fellow women that they must stop waiting for men to rescue them or change. Instead, it’s time for us to take control in our hands and channel our divine power. Maa Durga acted as my inspiration for this poem.
She’s an incarnation of Goddess Parvati who destroyed Mahishasura. It’s unfortunate to see that many people in our world have become demons too. To combat them, women have no choice but to channel their inner power as Maa Durga or Kali.

 Lines like “There are no men in this world of teenage boys” highlight societal immaturity and gender dynamics. How do you hope readers, especially young people, will respond to this stark observation?

This line is a satirical remark on most men being emotionally immature. Society cuts a lot of slack for men claiming things such as, “Men are like that. Let it go”. Women are naturally expected to be mature by normalizing that men won’t change, so women will have to.
My intention with this line is not to hurt anyone’s sentiment but to highlight that a real man devoid of toxic masculinity will treat a woman or any person respectfully.

The poem challenges norms around modesty, saying respect should not be conditional on clothing. What conversations around body autonomy and respect are you hoping to spark through these lines?

Every time a rape or harassment case makes headlines, Indian aunties and uncles have their punchline ready, “She must’ve been wearing short clothes.” However, outrageous rape cases of 3-month, 6-month, and 10-month-old infants, even corpses of women, clearly show there’s something terribly wrong with the psyche of men.
Remarks such as, ”skimpy” or “provocative” clothing are an excuse to curtail the inhuman lust that some men possess. My poem aims to say that the right question after rape should not be about the victim’s clothing but the mindset of the perpetrator. A respectful, well-raised individual will respect a person, regardless of what they’re wearing.

“Savior” portrays a world full of betrayal, yet it urges inner strength and self-reliance. What advice would you offer to readers struggling with disillusionment or searching for courage in today’s world?

My advice to readers, especially women, would be to step up from the depths of helplessness. Rather than buying another pepper spray, work on your mental and physical strength to put any person who outrages your modesty in place.
Speak up when you’re wronged. Speak up when cases of eve-teasing happen to you or around you. Don’t deem any disrespect as “too small” to be talked about. Often women remain quiet about their pain afraid no one will understand, but silencing your voice only worsens the situation.
To others who’re reading this, please speak up when you see an injustice happening. By not speaking against a crime, you equally contribute to it.
As a community, we must all come together to fight the injustices surfacing in this Kalayuga and make the world a safer place for all people, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
 

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