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Literary Proxemics: Mapping Space in Classical and Modern Indian Poetry.

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Delighted to share that my article “Literary Proxemics: Mapping Space in Classical and Modern Indian Poetry” has been published in the Journal of Asian Art, Culture and Literature (JAACL)- December edition by the Asian Literary Society.

My sincere thanks to Manoj Krishnan for the opportunity. Researching and writing on literary proxemics—one of my favourite areas of inquiry as a poet—was an enriching and exhilarating experience. Exploring how space, silence, and placement function across classical and contemporary Indian poetry allowed a curious poet to ruminate, share knowledge and perspectives. Absolutely fascinating! 🙂

I invite you to read this piece along with many other insightful articles featured in the journal.

https://lnkd.in/gg5fwp_4

Happy reading.

Asian Literary Society
Manoj Krishnan

hashtagWriting hashtagIndianPoetry hashtagJAACL hashtagAsianLiterarySociety hashtagLiteraryProxemics hashtagProxemics hashtagResearch hashtagClassicalPoetry hashtagModernPoetry hashtagCulture hashtagSociety hashtagHumanity hashtagLiterature

Poetry, Peace, and Purpose: An International Recognition from Pathways to Peace.

Komal Gupta Honored with 2025 Exceptional Women of Peace Lifetime Achievement Award

Poet, author, and cultural advocate Komal Gupta was honored with the prestigious 2025 Exceptional Women of Peace Lifetime Achievement Award by Pathways To Peace and the GEI Global Leaders initiative.

This global recognition was announced through the official Pathways To Peace and GEI Global Leaders award communication.

The recognition celebrates women across the globe whose work contributes significantly toward peacebuilding, cultural dialogue, community wellbeing, creativity, and social impact. Komal Gupta was recognized among an inspiring group of global changemakers, peace advocates, educators, and humanitarian leaders.

The virtual award ceremony took place on September 13, 2025, commemorating the United Nations Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. The international gathering brought together distinguished speakers, peace ambassadors, and leaders dedicated to fostering dialogue, empathy, and collective healing across communities.

 

Known for blending literature, poetry, wellbeing advocacy, and cultural leadership, Komal Gupta has consistently worked toward creating meaningful spaces for reflection, connection, and emotional wellbeing through the arts. Through her platform, Papyri Connect, and her contributions to literary and social initiatives, she continues to champion the transformative power of words and creative expression.

Her work spans poetry, community engagement, editorial contributions, workshops, and cultural collaborations that encourage introspection, resilience, and human connection in contemporary society.

Receiving the Exceptional Women of Peace Lifetime Achievement Award marks another significant milestone in her journey as a literary voice and advocate for creativity-led social impact.

 

 

For more information on the award and global initiative, visit the official communication:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Peace-Awards-Announced—Save-the-Date-.html?soid=1109726033203&aid=2u3HrC3fX44

The official communication in the Pathways to Peace Newsletter.

Peace Awards Announced – Save the Date!

CONFERMENT OF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2025 BY PATHWAYS TO PEACE.

Happy to share that I have been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Peace by Pathways To Peace (PTP), an international Peacebuilding, educational, and consulting organization.


A UN-designated Peace Messenger Organization with Consultative Status at ECOSOC and the Department of Global Communications, Pathways To Peace has been at the forefront of building a Culture of Peace around the world for four decades.


Thank you, Pathways To Peace, Haileigh Peterson, Tezikiah Gabriel and the PTP Team for this honor.


I am especially honored to be part of PTP’s Exceptional Women of Peace Awards program, which recognizes women in diverse fields worldwide using their voice and presence to create positive change and build lasting peace.


For me the award represents a journey through poetry, literature, wellbeing, women’s empowerment, and cultural initiatives. Peace lives in words, art, in empathy, and in the spaces we create for voices to connect, express, and be heard.


Receiving this award reinforces my commitment to keep nurturing dialogue, compassion, and creativity in building a culture of peace and empathy. It is a wonderful milestone in my journey. This award is also a reminder of the power of words, art, empathy, and powerful impact of women’s voices in shaping peace and culture.

I carry it with deep gratitude to my community, fellow changemakers, and friends who walk this path with me and with excitement for all that is still waiting to be created, shared, and lived.

Learn more about the incredible impact of Pathways of Peace and the program:
https://pathwaystopeace.org/…/exceptional-women-of-peace

 

The Exceptional Women of Peace Award Ceremony. Lifetime Achievement Award Acceptance speech by Founder of Papyri Connect Komal Gupta.
 
 
Link to the Award Ceremony.

https://youtu.be/_tQ3R0tc5hQ?si=rtjsiN91U_owNO5m

 
 

 

Poetic Lines- Words and their Mysteries. A video on poetic forms ( Napowrimo 2024)

Delighted to have received this certificate of appreciation from Penmancy on the completion of the #PocketPoems 4.0,15 days challenge in #napowrimo2024.

It was an engaging experience, learnt so much and enjoyed the process!

I was enthralled by the process of writing the poetic forms and made a video for the same.

Enjoy!

 



#tejaswiniaura #poetry #india #writings #pocketpoems #penmancy #napowrimo2024 #words

 

 

 

The WIP Show | S1E2 | Featuring Komal Gupta- Keemiya Creatives

Happy to share The WIP Show Interview, Season 1, Episode 2 by Keemiya Creatives
It was a delightful experience talking about the writing process, inspiration, and much more. A celebration of the written word!

The next episode of the #WIPShow is live now featuring Komal Gupta where she talks about her writing process, the inspiration behind her stories and poems, and other things close to her heart.

🎙️Listen to the full episode on our #YouTube channel.

 

In this insightful interview, Komal Gupta shares that her name “Tejaswiniaura” symbolizes brightness and positivity, which she incorporates into her poetry. She finds inspiration in both mundane and profound moments, particularly the concept of time, which led to her poetry book “Verses of Time.” Influenced by spiritual texts and modern reflections on mental health, Komal emphasizes the importance of authenticity in writing. She also highlights the necessity of self-belief and overcoming inner critics to push creative boundaries.
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Key Points
🌟 Tejaswiniaura Meaning: Her name signifies brightness and positivity.
📝 Writing Style: All her poems end on a happy, radiant note.
⌛ Inspiration from Time: The concept of time inspired her poetry book “Verses of Time.”
📚 Literary Influences: Influenced by “Autobiography of a Yogi” and Matt Haig’s books.
🧘 Spiritual Insights: Spiritual books form the foundation of her life perception.
🔍 Finding Meaning: Advocates self-discovery and self-reflection through writing.
✍️ Advice to Writers: Be true to yourself and write for personal growth.
👥 Dealing with Inner Critics: Emphasizes self-belief and persistence.
🤝 Dream Collaboration: Would love to collaborate with Ashwin Sanghi and Ruskin Bond.
✨ Balancing Poetry and Prose: Enjoys transitioning between brevity in poetry and detailed storytelling.
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Summary
1. Meaning Behind “Tejaswiniaura”: Bright and Radiant: Komal Gupta explains that her name symbolizes positivity and radiance, which is reflected in her writing style.
2. Finding Inspiration in Mundane Moments: Exploring the Ordinary: She finds extraordinary inspiration in everyday moments, leading to profound reflections in her work.
3. Influence of Time: Verses of Time: Time is a central theme in her poetry, representing life’s continuum.
4. Literary Influences: Spiritual and Reflective Works: Influenced by spiritual books like “Autobiography of a Yogi” and contemporary authors like Matt Haig.
5. Advice to Writers: Authenticity and Self-Belief: Encourages writers to be true to themselves and write for personal fulfillment.
6. Handling Inner Critics: Believing in Yourself: Shares that dealing with inner critics requires self-belief and ignoring external pressures.
7. Dream Collaborations: Sanghi and Bond: Aspires to collaborate with authors Ashwin Sanghi for his research depth and Ruskin Bond for his playful writing.
8. Balancing Poetry and Prose: Dual Writing Styles: Enjoys the challenge of transitioning from concise poetry to expansive storytelling.
9. Coping with Writer’s Block: Observational Skills: Uses observation and noticing details to overcome creative blocks.
10. Final Thoughts: Perseverance in Writing: Encourages writers to stay true to their journey and continue writing despite challenges.

 

#tejaswiniaura #WIPShow #writing #writing
#india #womenwriters #interview #writingprocess #creativity #Inspiration #TeamKC
#Podcast #TalkShow #WritingCommunity #WritersLife #WomenWriters

Ashoka’s Changemakers Certificate with distinction- Social Intrapreneurship for Innovation in Health Course

Elated to have received the Ashoka’s Changemakers Certificate with Distinction on completion of the Social Intrapreneurship for Innovation in Health Course. It is inspiring and humbling to be honored with the certificate in a congratulatory letter from Bill Drayton, Founder and CEO of Ashoka.
It has been an amazing journey of learning, mindset change, and being a part of an enterprising changemaker community from diverse fields and worldwide.
This has been a new direction to follow as a writer and challenging oneself to build a flexible mindset and alternate viewpoints. The only constant is change and this course has been an eye-opener. Thanks to Ashoka, and the course team for an enriching experience.
A six-week online, facilitated, and interactive course, focused on changemakers talent development, skill-building, and real-life application by ashoka.org. The underlying philosophy is to build an ‘Everyone A Changemaker’ world.
“When you talk to anyone who has the gift of being able to give, they have a good life and they’re helping other people have that gift. When you imagine what the world is going to be like when everyone is a giver, and everyone is helping others be ever more powerful givers, that is a completely coherent world. And it’s very close to the traditional South Asian view on the purpose of life—it is about being one with the universe. That’s the highest level of empathy.
Bill Drayton

 

 

“WE ARE ONE IN A WORLD.” A video presentation on Global Unity and Shared Futures.

Happy to share, my video ‘We are one in a world’ is live and featured on Poetry Expo 2024. Join in to reimagine a new world of harmony through literature.
Literature and culture can also help us to imagine and shape collective futures, by inspiring us to envision alternative scenarios, possibilities, and solutions for a more sustainable and harmonious world.
The project is part of the sub-theme ‘ Global unity and shared futures.’
 by Versopolis

‘Poetry Through The Lens Of India’ Panel Discussion at New Delhi World Book Fair 2024.

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Elated to have moderated the panel discussion ‘Poetry through the lens of India ‘ at the New Delhi World Book Fair – Theme Pavilion, organized by Nbt India and The Great Indian Book Tour yesterday on the 17th of February.
It was an engaging and enlightening discussion with thought-provoking insights provided by co-panelists Dr. Ritu Kamra Kumar, Prerna Sinha, and Parishmita Baruah. An appreciative audience made the experience one to cherish.
A day well spent in learning, networking, and reveling in the magic of poetry and books at the World Book Fair Pragati Maidan New Delhi.
Here is the media coverage of the event by the National Book Trust.
Media coverage by ten news highlighting the engaging and relevant panel discussion.
Nbt India
The Great Indian Book Tour

Writing Is an Innate Experience That Comes From Within.

“Content creation is the game-changer in the times to come and has always been the backbone of any industry. As for poetry, short stories, and novel writing, the scope of exposure, and reach of the market has changed to be in the favor of the writer.”
Komal Gupta


Tell us more about your background and journey.

I am a certified Montessori teacher and trainer as well as a B.com (Honours) graduate in International Business from the University of Rajasthan. I have worked in several professions and like to call myself a jack of all trades but a master of none. A rolling stone, gathering experiences along the way, from being an auditor, principal, trainer, and now a prolific short story writer, poetess, and enthusiastic volunteer in the mental health space.

I am an avid reader, traveler, and blogger, with a penchant for the extraordinary and mundane aspects of life. I also can be found looking for words in my imagination and jotting them down, whether quirky, funny, or serious. Writing to me is a journey of defining emotions and experiences, a passion too. I am a keen observer of life; words are an extension of perceptions.

My poetry and short stories are a beautiful mix of realism and abstract different from much of what is written today, bordering on the spiritual and the unknown aspects of life. It has been an exhilarating journey along the way, full of learning and experiences to cherish lifelong.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

My writing journey started in 2013 when I began writing on Wattpad, a community of writers and poets. I have always been an avid reader since childhood and writing was always my forte. Words enchant and mystify with their ever-changing meanings, combinations and the process of writing is magical and enjoyable to me.

My first foray was into the world of poetry and soon I was featured on many national and international platforms, besides winning competitions.

I branched out into freelance content writing, short story and have never looked back since. As Jason Silva has said; “Words are magical spells, not only descriptive but also generative. Become an author of your reality.” I have been trying to do that and also believe that “The world is made of words and if you know what the words are, you can make anything” as quoted by Jason Silva.

Is it a financially stable career?

The process of writing is an innate experience that comes from within. The basic premise is of artistic expression and bringing into the world one’s unique brand of creativity. It is mostly a journey of self-discovery and a path one willingly takes. It is a highly satisfying career and a financially stable one as the opportunities to freelance are numerous these days.

Content creation is the game-changer in the times to come and has always been the backbone of any industry. As for poetry, short stories, and novel writing, the scope of exposure, and reach of the market has changed to be in the favor of the writer. There are many ways to market, do collaborations, publish on various platforms, and make one’s presence felt. It is a win-win situation for all.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I have read the books of many writers and don’t have a favorite among them. I am currently reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It is a beautiful read, full of possibilities, a welcome ray of hope in the darknesses we find ourselves in our lives at times.

I plan on reading all of his books especially How to stop Time as the subject of time is fascinating and all alluring for me. In fact, one of my poetry books is called “Verses of Time” published in 2019!

Where does your inspiration lie?

My inspiration lies in the everydayness of life, the wonder of the miracle of life. The smallest things, words, and gestures are a source of endless contemplation and reflection. My writing is a synthesis of these ruminations, how things are not what they seem, how the undercurrents of thoughts, gestures, and synchronicities of the universe play a role in our perceptions and what we make of life and its challenges.

Words inspire too, they are the thoughts that walk the lines, say so much, and yet so little, depending on how the writer places them in sentences. This is especially true of poetry; the words have a life of their own and can hide and say so much at the same time. This is a life of grace, play, and presence filled with awe and gratitude, a truly magical journey.

What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers?

My advice to everyone would be to write, just start writing. Put the words on the lines, be you. The words are yours, there will be nobody like you. Embrace this uniqueness, this life-changing reality and the world is yours. First and foremost, read as you have never before, and see how the world is to others. How everyone has their take and way of expressing realities, then begin to forge yours. You will never go wrong, ever.

Be an alchemist, a dream weaver, and use words with discernment, agency, and intention. Jason Silva says “Be the wizards, music makers, and dreamers of dreams. Remember this and make it your guiding light in your writing journey.

Which is your favorite book and why?

My favorite book is The Autobiography of a Yogi by Shri Paramhansa Yogananda.

It has opened up a world of Indian spirituality, our ancient culture, and its wisdom, and I am to this day endlessly fascinated by the words, the experiences of saints, and sages of yore.

It reminds me of the infinite universes far beyond our imaginations, the wonder, and magic in the one we are living in. Life lessons are aplenty in the book with an understanding of the mental psyche and our innate spirituality. It is an empowering and life-changing book.

Connect on LinkedIn

Interviewed by – Subham Biswas

https://www.eatmy.news/2021/05/komal-gupta-writing-is-innate.html

Versopolis- Featured at PoetryExpo 2023

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Happy to share that my video presentation ” Poetry in New Age ” is featured on The Poetry Expo 2023, by Versopolis and Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

It is a video presentation on the transformative power of words and poetry in a new age.

Thoughts of a writer and a poet on the magic of word worlds.

 

https://www.versopolis.com/author/654/komal-gupta

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Watch the video in the link below.

Link:-

https://www.versopolis.com/initiative/poetry-expo-23/content/1308/poetry-in-the-new-age

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Link on Versopolis Instagram page:-

Featured!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Co4TcrVNS22/?igshid=NTdlMDg3MTY=

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About Versopolis:-

Versopolis is a European poetry platform that creates new opportunities for emerging European poets and is supported by the European Commission’s Creative Europe programme. Versopolis will help authors already established in their home countries spread their poetry across borders, its first and foremost aim being to promote European poets and their work and to create a close-knit poetic community. Poetry is a highly individualised expression of the human spirit that glorifies diversity and originality; it creates a bridge between individuals and communities. The European idea that is based on respect of individuality and at the same time strives for a quality coexistence of all individuals, should recognize in poetry a metaphor and sum of its efforts. VERSOPOLIS is a Europe-wide poetry project of renowned literary festivals, exposing, connecting and bringing the finest poetry closer to audiences and through collaboration and mutual enrichment adding value and a sustainable vision of the initial European idea. Find us elsewhere:

TW: https://twitter.com/versopolis

IG: https://instagram.com/versopoliseu/

TUMBLR: http://versopolis.tumblr.com/

YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI5ESAMGtEpDTzBPqcVkcaw

4SQ: https://foursquare.com/versopolis