First of all, what does poetry mean to you? I mean, how would you define the presence of poetry in your life?

Poetry to me, is life. Moment to moment – everything that one lives translates itself into poetry. It all comes from how fine tuned you are to life.

“Black Wind” is your second publication after 1981. what made you keep the poet in you leashed for such a long stretch?

I have been writing all these years. But I didn’t quite think of, u know getting anything published. Then one event which happened in Ahmedabad, at Natrani changed it all. It was after that evening of my poetry reading that Mapin had approached and published my work. They offered to publish the whole thing and I agreed.

While reading the “Black Wind” in particular, I sensed a kind of agony that comes with betrayal from life itself. The conversational structure of the piece kind of makes the reader subconsciously enter into a dialogue with himself. Please comment.

“Black Wind” is a dialogue with me and my inner self. It expresses the tussle between you and your subconscious mind. It’s a very direct and honest piece of work where I try not to mince words. This is a poem which a lot people have been able to relate to at a personal level.. I thought its too personal a piece of work. But people where able to identify with it. This is something they have gone through.

“Out Alone” touches a chord somewhere. What were your thoughts when you penned them about?

“Out Alone” is about a woman who is fighting her inner demons. this is a woman I observed during my stay at the mental ward. She was suffering because she constantly hallucinated and heard voices. Night after night I would see her struggling with those voices. “Out Alone” is my impression of that woman…the way I saw and perceived her.

I am sure, the painter in you does influence the poet in you and vice versa. How does the inspiration to pick up the paintbrush differ from the urge to grab a pen? Is it dependent on your perception of things around at that precise moment?

To be really honest, the process in both is identical. It all boils down to how you internalize something and then convey those innermost dilemmas and observations. It is about what you have to say about life. The process is the same. You imbibe from life around you and try to express it through whichever medium of expression available for you. One goes through all kinds of experiences and keeps filling up one’s emotion reservoir and poetry is the process of picking out different moments and expressing them.

I was quite moved by your distinctive views on God – nature relationship, spirituality and its man-made, debauched version, religion. Does a long, relaxed look at the clouds still bring you closer to the Omnipresent?

(Smiles) Yes! I think for me nature is the greatest and most effective spiritual teacher. It helps me connect with myself and hear my own mind. That’s precisely why I love to trek. Being in touch with nature brings you closer to your own spiritual self.

What would interest Deepti Naval when she isn’t acting, writing, painting, and not even seizing the rare moments in life?

Dreaming.

Do you believe in the importance of dreams in one’s life? If yes, then why is the abyss of pain so unfathomable in your works?

Absolutely essential. Cause, unless you dream, you can’t add that much needed significance to your life. I love to dream. You can’t set out to achieve much unless you dream.

Which is the one incident in your life so far, you could have easily done without?

Nothing at all, because I value the joyous and painful moments equally. I believe this journey through life is the journey of the soul and joy is equally cherishable because it helps you grow, understand and mellow yourself.and helps you evolve spiritually.

If given a grace of hundred more years on Mother Earth, which are the new fields of life you would choose to explore and why?

I would like to venture out into outer space.

If you had to make a choice between painting and composing, which would you choose and why?

I would never indulge in a choice between the two. But yes, in my paintings, I can, kind of, hide my feelings partially, whereas my poems do not grant me the luxury of any camouflaging of emotions. It all comes out stark through my words. Even the unsaid gets uttered.

Which is the one book you can’t imagine not having read?

“One Hundred Years of Solitude”.

A few words on poetry column - "Rhyme or Reason” –

Poetry has taken a kind of a backseat. I think, poetry, as a movement needs to be revived. It’s the novel, which is frequently talked about but not poetry. In New York, we had this Little Poets Café in downtown Manhattan, where people gather and listen to poems. It was so endearingan experience. I wish something of that could be established in India as well. Budding talent needs to be heard. Film songs are popular here but not poetry. I think poetry needs to be given a platform in our country and I am glad you people are doing that.