IN PRAISE OF BONE NEW AND SELECTED POEMS (1991-2021)

Spanning poems written over two decades, Anand Thakore's In Praise of Bone
is a significant achievement. It displays his deep knowledge of the poetic
form. He has written nocturnes and aubades, villanelles and sonnets, odes
and dramatic monologues, apostrophes and ekphrastic poems, hymns and
blues, picking the perfect tempo and tone to suit the contents. The poems
in this collection are seeped in a wide range of emotions. They bravely
linger in the intensity of feelings, be it grief or joy or wonder or outrage.
By accepting experiences without judgement, the poems invite readers to
immerse themselves in the present fully and live life without fear. There is
deep, philosophical seeking here and this includes shades of self-loathing and
regret as well. There is humour and sardonic wit at play too. The poems also
celebrate moments of genuine human connection, raising many insightful
questions about the nature of the self and its bond to others.
The selected poems from the Mughal Sequence weave a shimmering tapestry
to give voice to Indian history. They share intimate glimpses of the lives of
historical figures such as Humayun, Gulbadan Begum, daughter of Emperor
Babur and Emperor Babur himself, and the Koh-i-Noor diamond, once a part
of Mughal ruler Shah Jahan's throne which was then acquired by the British.
Poems such as 'Puppet's Life Ends on String' and 'Buddhist Monk Hangs Self'
are inspired by contemporary events.
This landmark collection eloquently captures the nuances of both history and
modernity, embracing tragedy and joy with equal grace.