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Instrumentality
Book by Shankar, Ravi
- GenresPoetry
88 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2004
14 people want to read
About the author
Ravi Shankar
15 books7 followersRavi Shankar (born 1975) is an American poet. He was raised in Manassas, VA. He is the poet-in-residence at Central Connecticut State University and the founding editor of the online journal of the arts, Drunken Boat. His first book, Instrumentality, was published by Cherry Grove in May 2004, and was a finalist for the 2005 Connecticut Book Awards. He co-wrote Wanton Textiles with Reb Livingston, selections of which were published in Fringe Magazine and Beltway Poetry Quarterly. His chapbook Voluptuous Bristle, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2010.
Shankar received his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and his master's degree in poetry from Columbia University's School of the Arts. Shankar's poetry has been published in such places as The Massachusetts Review, The Cortland Review, and The New Hampshire Review. His critical work has appeared in The Iowa Review, among other publications. He co-edited an anthology of contemporary Arab and Asian poetry, along with poets Tina Chang and Nathalie Handal, published by Norton in Spring 2008.
Shankar reviews poetry for the Contemporary Poetry Review. He has been a commentator for WFCR (Public Radio) and a judge for various poetry competitions. [wikipedia]
Shankar received his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and his master's degree in poetry from Columbia University's School of the Arts. Shankar's poetry has been published in such places as The Massachusetts Review, The Cortland Review, and The New Hampshire Review. His critical work has appeared in The Iowa Review, among other publications. He co-edited an anthology of contemporary Arab and Asian poetry, along with poets Tina Chang and Nathalie Handal, published by Norton in Spring 2008.
Shankar reviews poetry for the Contemporary Poetry Review. He has been a commentator for WFCR (Public Radio) and a judge for various poetry competitions. [wikipedia]
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 18, 2009
Disclaimer: i'm a Billy Collins fan. 'Nuff said.
What I like: Shankar's wizardly transformations of the meanings of words and of reality itself. In 'Before Sunrise, In San Francisco,' a lonely person sits in a bar. It's late at night and "Tonight,/The only eyes on you are two/Pimentos stuffed into olives/Bloated with vermouth and gin."
What I didn't like: Poems so self-referential that I could read them several times and not be satisfied. Shankar is trying to pack a LOT of meaning into the spaces between words and their meanings, and when he succeeded with me it was great, like riding a saddle bronc. When the shifts were too obtuse for me it felt more like trying, and failing, to ride a rodeo bull.
What I like: Shankar's wizardly transformations of the meanings of words and of reality itself. In 'Before Sunrise, In San Francisco,' a lonely person sits in a bar. It's late at night and "Tonight,/The only eyes on you are two/Pimentos stuffed into olives/Bloated with vermouth and gin."
What I didn't like: Poems so self-referential that I could read them several times and not be satisfied. Shankar is trying to pack a LOT of meaning into the spaces between words and their meanings, and when he succeeded with me it was great, like riding a saddle bronc. When the shifts were too obtuse for me it felt more like trying, and failing, to ride a rodeo bull.
July 10, 2016
There is a beautiful sense of loss and wonder with a side of warmth as the author engages in a blend of reflection and humor.
There is a strong sense of romanticizing the world, merging spirituality with emotions, and grounding them both in imagery. There is a humble view of New York with recognizable nods to those who are aware of the city.
These poems have a sense of mystery that introduces the reader to a variety of emotions, cultural nuances, and the importance of human interactions where the surface is shown and the reader is allowed to delve deeper afterwards.
There is a strong sense of romanticizing the world, merging spirituality with emotions, and grounding them both in imagery. There is a humble view of New York with recognizable nods to those who are aware of the city.
These poems have a sense of mystery that introduces the reader to a variety of emotions, cultural nuances, and the importance of human interactions where the surface is shown and the reader is allowed to delve deeper afterwards.
August 27, 2010
I just want to say that the man is a paragon. I've learned so much from being in his classes and am grateful for his artistry.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews