Lily Swarn, multilingual Poet, Author, Columnist- is a gold medalist and university colour holder. “A Trellis of Ecstasy” ( Poetry)was called a veritable delight by The Journal of Commonwealth literature in London. “The Gypsy Trail”, (Novel) “Lilies of the Valley” (essays)are highly appreciated . “History on My Plate” got rave reviews. She has won over 50 international and national awards like the Reuel International Prize for Poetry 2016, Global Icon of Peace ,Sahitya Rattan, Gujarat Sahitya Akademi Award ,Master of Creative Impulse and Sarojini Naidu Award, Kairat Duissenov medal for poetic excellence. Lily’s poetry has been translated into 16 European and Asian languages and her Urdu Ghazals out to music. She is a Peace & Humanity ambassador for institutions in Ghana and Morocco. Recently She was felicitated with the Title of International Ambassador of Peace by World Literary Forum for Peace and Human Rights and one among 20 poets awarded by UHE , Peru ,South America A La Exelencia Literaria. Senior Journalist-Author S.S.Dogra interviewed Literary Icon Ms.Lily Swarn right from Michigan USA via messenger and email. Excerpts:
SSD: Any memorable incident of your childhood which inspired you to come to this writing Profession?
LS. I was something of a dreamer . I won my first prize for a National short story competition when I was only 11 years old. I was also editor of my college magazine and recited self composed poetry in youth festivals .I won Gold medal for Best All Around Student and two University Colours from Punjab University . Soon I was writing columns for National Newspapers . The poet in me blossomed after the demise of my young son . The spate of over 50 International and National awards like the Reuel International Prize , Gujarat Sahitya Akademi Award ,Sahitya Rattan have extended me constant encouragement.
SSD: How many languages you write in ?
LS: I write in English , Punjabi , Urdu and Hindi and in different genres .My first book “A Trellis of Ecstasy” is an anthology of poetry ;the second , “Lilies of the Valley” is a book of essays ; the third “The Gypsy Trail” is a Novel and the fourth “History on my Plate” is about the origin and history of food . I write Ghazals and Nazms in Urdu which are sung by mellifluous voices and my Punjabi Nazms are appreciated in Sahitya Akademi Mehfils.
SSD: Your own most favourite poems in English, Hindi, Urdu & Punjabi Languages.
LS: 1.English
Your Hug
It’s not often that I need your hug
Not a hurried arm around me like a cursory glance by a stranger
More like a lemon soufflé with a tangy after taste
A freshening of my sagging spirits with a burst of citric flavour
Or like the snug Jaipuri razaai that my aunt got last winter
Pure cotton with a reassuring rustic feel of unadulterated love
A hug that eases the fine lines around my mouth with an anti ageing potion of honey
And brings a soothing morning breeze from the upper Himalayas in its embrace
I need that hug which cocoons and protects, shields and enfolds
Like a sheath of fluid moonbeams riding on navy blue skies
Arms of pliable dough soaked in saffron strands
Hands that tell the beads of a rosary with each fading breath
It’s not often that I need your hug
The one that Krishna may have given Sudaama perhaps ?
Copyright Lily Swarn6.1.20
2.Punjabi
Hauke lai lai subkan waale
Mithhe jaamun todan waale
Missi Roti banaan waale
Buzurg mere waapis kar de
Taali hethhan baithhan waale
Gur Di saakhi sunaaon waale
“Marjaaniye”kehen waale
Buzurg mere waapis kar de
Chaadre bann ke nachan waale
Ganda bhann ke roti khaan waale
Modhhe utte Chukkan Waale
Buzurg mere waapis Kar de
Kirtan sohila jappan waale
Beriyaan ton ber tod lian waale
“Jeeonde vassde raho”Asees dain waale
Buzurg mere waapis karde
Suramchu naal surma paan waale
Gurh di dali kheese ch lukkon waale
Shamle waali Pugg paan waale
Buzurg mere waapis Kar de
“Ni jhalliye” Keh ke Hassan waale
Kikkar di daattun naal dand maanjan waale
Bhaande kali karvaan waale
Buzurg mere waapis Kar de
Copyright Lily Swarn 19.6.2020
3.Urdu
Zeest ki na Murad Chaalon mein
Hum toh uljhe rahe sawaalon mein
Chand taare tawaaf karte hain
Tere rukh ke haseen ujaalon mein
Ek umeed par Teri jaanam
Kya Kya guzra hai guzre saalon mein
Tauba humne hazaar ki Lekin
Jaam aate rahe khyalon mein
Jab bhi jalwon ki baat hoti hai
Zikr mera hua niraalon mein
Chhupte firte hain aaj naaseh Ji
Deen o imaan jaisi dhaalon mein
Aao tum ko.chhupaayein Suraj se
Apni Kali ghata se baalon mein
Unko shayad “Saba” nahin maloom
Kaise jeete hain aise haalon mein
Copyright Lily Swarn 26.7.2019
ज़ीस्त की ना-मुराद चालों में
हम तो उलझे रहे सवालों में
चाँद तारे तवाफ़ करते हैं
तेरे रूख़ के हसीं उजालों में
एक उम्मीद पर तेरी जानम
क्या क्या गुज़रा है गुज़रे सालों में
तौबा हमने हज़ार की लेकिन
जाम आते रहे ख़्यालों में
जब भी जलवों की बात होती है
ज़िक्र मेरा हुआ निरालों में
छुपते फिरते हैं आज नासेह जी
दीन-ओ-ईमान जैसी ढालों में
आओ तुमको छुपाएं सूरज से
अपनी काली घटा से बालों में
उनको शायद “सबा” नहीं मालूम
कैसे जीते हैं ऐसे हालों में
Copyright Lily Swarn
5.Hindi
Fauji ki Basant
Patang
Peele Khet
Ke upar lehraati rahi
Sarson ke saathh
Mera Mann bhi
Khill uthha thha
Uss basant ki baat
Kuchh Anokhi thhi
Tumhaara saafa
Sooraj ki Kiron thha
Sunehri taaron Waala
Maine apni Chunni bhi
Peele gainde ki Maala
Jaisi rangwai thhi
Rangrez bola
Sardar ji ki Pugree
Jaisa hi rang doonga
Chaawal mehke thhe
Kesar ki khushboo se
Meethhe bhi bahut thhe
Par uss din bhi aap
chhutti na le paaye
Tab bhi Basant aayi thhi
Aur aa kar chali gayi thhi
(C) Lily Swarn 2.2.2017
SSD: Whether Writing is an art or skill or else?
LS: Writing is an instinctive art according to me. It can be honed with practice but an acquired art lacks the soul of true art . Creative writing is definitely an art but we must remember that it needs some craft as well !A lot of people consider poetry as the purest form of art though others think it is sculpture or opera .
SSD:Your favourite Author & Political leader
LS: My favourite authors are the Sufi Poets. Hafiz , Shirazi , Bulle Shah to name a few .Thomas Hardy , Prem Chand , Shiv kumar Batalvi , Bhai Vir Singh and folk songs in my mother tongue also move me. Poets like Keats , Byron , John Donne, besides Shakespeare. Nelson Mandela is an inspirational political leader for me
SSD: Being a writer, How can you bring the positive changes in the society?
LS: The power of a pen is unbelievable. Writers reflect the society and show a mirror to it . They have the capacity to move emotions and change mindsets . The virtual world has brought everything right into our hands at the click of a button. The globe has become condensed into our screens. We can change opinions and sway politics as well as social behaviour .
SSD: Are you satisfied with your life? Any desire or ambition you are still looking for?
LS: I am very grateful and humbled by the love and honour bestowed on me. I leave the planning to the Almighty. He knows the best. I just pray for peace on earth. Poets are dreamers. I dream on and on….
SSD: Who is your role model & Any person you dream to meet in life?
I wish I had met Noble Prize Winner-Mother Teresa . Her dedication and work for the poorest of the poor impressed me a lot. No one can ever emulate her selflessness. I wish I can meet my own real self some day.
SSD:Any upcoming project you are working upon?
LS: Yes, there are a few in the pipeline . A new Anthology of English poetry , a novel about a girl growing up in Chandigarh in my times , a collection of my Urdu writings and one of Punjabi Nazms
SSD: What’s the relation of literature with Cinema?
LS: Both have a very Intimate relation. Like a lover for a beloved. How can there be good cinema of it is not first written as a great story and script? These days content is God.
SSD: Your five most memorable moments or achievements of your professional life?
LS: 1. Reuel International Prize, Frang Bardhi international prize for poetry ,
2.The Icon Award from my city Chandigarh
3. My book “A Trellis of Ecstasy” released & applauded by Capt . Amarendra Singh (Chief Minister of Punjab)
4. Book launch of “The Gypsy Trail” by His Excellency Governor of Punjab
5. Being conferred the titles of International Ambassador of Peace- World Icon of peace
SSD: Any message to share about your personality & experience which can inspire next gen.
LS: I believe in humility, as a mantra, next only to love which I believe should be the universal religion. Learn to love your own self as a precious gift first, the world will fall into place automatically. Have faith in your own unique abilities. Let grief and tragedy be a lesson not something that pulls you down.
Brief About Interviewer:
(S.S.Dogra-is a Delhi based Journalist-Author. His book on Media Education recommended for three major Indian Universities by the President of India. His books are easily available online. Presently, Mr.Dogra is associated with Bureau Chief-Delhi for Nepal based Himalini-Magazine & Dwarka Parichay as Mg. Editor. He is Member of Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia & Delhi Journalists Association besides Life Member of International Film and Television Research Centre. You can also access him through- (https://www.facebook.com/ssdogra/Email:creativesworld@gmail.com| www.ssdogra.com)
