I have to admit that my methods of writing are highly unorthodox. Most of my poems have been written while listening to psychedelic or dark trance and shooting vodka. It really is a fact that the title poem Chaos was written while I was shooting fire vodka and listening to a song called Release Me by Infected Mushroom at a friend’s place.

I write purely on impulse. There never is a fixed day or time as such for me to write. It could be anywhere, anyplace, anytime. But if you get down to working out a pattern you’d notice that it usually occurs when it’s very late at night and when I’m totally high! (Laughs)

As for tranquility, is there ever any at all in a world of Chaos? (Smiles)

How does it feel to be at the threshold of fame at such a young age? I mean, does that really make you hungry for more or does it disturb your solitude somewhere?

I don’t consider myself on the threshold of fame just as yet. I think I still have a long way to go. I am happy that people enjoy reading my work. It’s the main reason why I published in the first place – so that people

read what I have to say and see if any of it applies to them in their respective lives. I think I have my parents above all to thank for whatever recognition I have earned. It is their constant encouragement and undying support that has seen this book through.

I wouldn’t say that I hunger for more; but then again I have always loved the limelight and, even though I do have a few friends who are models and hate the attention they receive in public, I am quite happy to sign a few autographs or pose for snaps as and when asked to. I guess it’s all too new for me so I’m just lapping it up. I’ll probably value my privacy more if and when I end up becoming famous. (Grins) But let’s see...

The Theory of Forever Mode contains some mathematical jargon which should not be taken in the literal sense. All it is trying to explain, with some fiction thrown in, is that the answers to all problems lie within us (This is evident from the example I have provided). We have to probe and search to come up with the right solutions. If tweaked in the right manner, the mind can open up some extremely exciting possibilities. Forever mode basically means being in a form of eternity or infinity. It screams Adidas’ theory – Impossible is nothing.

German and Latin words recur in your poems. Don’t you think it might hinder a smooth interpretation of your poems by the reader until he turns to the annotations page?

I would prefer it if there wasn’t a smooth interpretation of my poems. I want there to be some obstacles. I want readers to be able to try and understand the reason behind inserting certain phrases in different languages. Each language has been chosen carefully in order to bring out the essence of what the words are trying to convey. For example, in my dedication I have written the line – Hier bin ich, schlieβlich which, in German, means Here I am, finally. According to me, this would have sounded rather plain if written in English; but the use of a foreign language appeals differently. It adds a strange beauty to the sentence. And besides, if everything is easily understood it sort of spoils the fun, doesn’t it?

I loved ‘Blueberry in the Wild’, and ‘The Lovebug’ for its volatile rhythm. Tell us something about the thought behind these poems? Blueberry in the Wild was written within a span of twenty-four minutes and forty-two seconds while I was shivering in sub-zero temperatures outside my dormitory door in boarding school. I’d just being caught indulging in table-tapping (we unsuccessfully tried calling Hitler) with my friends and had been reported to our cottage warden who asked us to wait out in the dead of winter while he decided how to deal with us. I was feeling rather depressed thinking about how he was going to whip us and it was in the midst of all the gloom that I decided to write Blueberry in the Wild.

I have to say here that I am very fond of blueberries. And Blueberry in the Wild, simply put, describes something beautiful and wonderful lost somewhere, which I am trying to reach out to. The path is difficult; but I keep trying because the feeling of hope is always prevalent. A similar theme underlines The Lovebug, where I mention – I look for the glowing light. Once again I am reaching out for something hard to find, with the hope that someday I shall stumble upon it. The translation of the German phrase I have written for The Lovebug explains it all.

Tell me something about ‘Verve’ and ‘L’engèni’. Who is this little man you referred to in the latter? Is he real?

Verve, in the literal sense, means spirit or energy. The poem portrays an insight into the mind of a sleeping man and the chaotic fusion of dreams he has. Each part of the poem shows him bringing up old memories that express different emotions.

L'engèni was a dream that I actually had. It symbolizes the struggle of a man against his worst fears – in this case Death. The little man represents each and every individual in this world. He is very much real. I think every person is, at some point in his or her life, in place of the little man. And I don’t mean just against death. It could be any fear, problem or disease. L'engèni depicts a little man on the verge of dying, and it is his resolve to live that empowers him to become immune even against Death.
Once again – Adidas’ theory!

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Well, maybe as an MBA graduate who has just earned his first million bucks. Or perhaps as the youngest writer to win a Nobel Prize for Literature. (Laughs) I just hope that I’m successful in whatever I choose to do, and also that whatever I do benefits society and me as a person. I would really like to take an active part in promoting world peace though. I despise war.

Do you watch films? Which is your all-time favourite movie?

I love watching movies. I usually stick to comedy; but I don’t really have issues that way. I don’t have one particular favourite movie; but I really like – Pulp Fiction, Requiem for a Dream, Lemony Snicketts – A Series of Unfortunate Events, School of Rock, Big Fish, Edward Scissorhands, The Tears of Julian Po, Powder, and so on.

I know that you’ve been greatly inspired by Joyce, Eliot and Hardy. Tell us something about the contemporary poets you’ve enjoyed reading. I haven’t read a lot of contemporary poetry; but I have read a bit of Vikram Seth. I’ve been very much influenced by earlier poets to have really looked at some of the present day ones; but I hope to pick up some more of his books. I habitually worship my copy of The Wasteland in the morning and raise a toast to T.S. Eliot in the evening.

Well, I would say that it is very important for any budding poet to develop a unique style of writing. Something like a trademark. People should be able to sniff your work a mile off. I am huge fan of T.S. Eliot; but I try very hard not to let my style become an extension of his. Another thing I’d say is, never think about writing with the intention of publishing your work because then what happens is that you write to impress and that ruins the natural flow of thought. All you’ll end up doing is writing what you think will look good and not what is good.

Believe in yourself and back your abilities to the fullest. A publisher is your ticket to making your work available for readership on a large scale; but at the end of the day they have to make money. They will only publish your work if they think what you’ve written is good enough to sell. I shouldn’t be saying this or I’ll land up in huge trouble with my own publishers. (Laughs) But hey, if your work gets rejected the first time don’t be disappointed. You will definitely find a good publisher at the most opportune moment.

Chaos by Rohan Narula Our Price Rs. 157.50 *USD 3.26	A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man by James Joyce Our Price Rs. 354.06 *USD 7.33	The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry Our Price Rs. 550.06 *USD 11.39	Complete Stories & Poems Of Lewiis Carroll by Lewis Caroll Our Price Rs. 195.00 *USD 4.04
Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke of two classes of poets - the poets by education whom we respect, and poets by nature, whom we love. Click here for a very personal and introspective tryst with the ones who lace our lives with passion, beauty and hope.