A Journey Through "The World Within" by Laxman Rao: Book review by Prasanna Kkumar

A Journey Through The World Within

Reviewed by Prasanna Kkumar

In the tapestry of myriad conundrums, man tends to get puzzled and remain gullible, unable to find peace in selecting his favorite pastime, and, in fact, not even able to manage the time to segregate and offload mundane stress.

If someone could take a few moments each day to reflect and try to pen down their thoughts—especially poetry, focusing on the themes of love and issues concerning humankind—I believe it is worthy of appreciation.

"The World Within," published by Versesmith Publisher in 2020 by Mr. Laxman Rao, is certainly a book to read and digest at one's own pace. Although the book consists mainly of poems about poetry, the reader never feels compelled to blink or take a break, as they engage with these imaginative pieces.

Laxman Rao

As a reader, I must disagree with anyone who generalizes the content of the book, as I believe Mr. Laxman emphasizes what poetry is, who a poet is, and why one is considered a poet—offering these insights confidently to the public through his work.

It is fair to assert, without exaggeration, that the poet here is a lover of the sonnet form, which is evident throughout his poems. He never deviates from the idea of exploring the deeper dimensions of poetry. He remains steadfast in expressing what he feels about poetry and who a poet should be. He is not confined solely to one form but demonstrates his ability to extract and convey his inner emotions through various other styles and devices. Whenever he employs a particular form, he clearly outlines the basic rules that define poetry, the poet's role, romance, and related aspects.

In my view, the book would be best suited for enthusiastic students who wish to understand the essence of poetry beyond classroom studies. It can also be recommended to amateur poets, who can learn about the intricate and delicate ideologies of poetry, poems, and poets.

Not everyone can remain focused solely on the subject of "Poetry" through poetry, and I would argue that few books exist that adhere so closely to meter and syntactical phrasing while still delivering quality content. Mr. Laxman justifies his lines and passion with the following conclusion:

I quote:

"If someone asks me... who are you? Or what are you? I can show this book with pride...! As this is what I am from the WORLD WITHIN...."

Mr. Laxman succeeds in laying himself bare on the page, not as a regular or abstract poet, but as one who firmly establishes his presence with absolute clarity. At times, his work may seem practically esoteric, but it leaves readers intrigued and encourages them to dive deeper to understand the true essence of poetry, with feelings and emotions consistently present.

To conclude this review, I assure readers that what I have outlined will resonate with them once they engage with this remarkable book by prolific poet and writer Mr. Laxman Rao.

Indeed, "The World is Within," to sum up my closing thoughts.

Prasanna Kkumar

Prasanna Kkumar is a poet, writer and social activist from India.