MOSAIC

by Manish Mundra

What makes a person who they are? Is it their generosity, their masculinity, their capacity to love, or their ability to feel loss? As Manish Mundra attempts to piece together these hidden aspects of his life through poetry, the readers are bound to discover parts of themselves reflected in his poems.

139 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2021

Reviews

[Bela Dedhia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mosaic… as the name suggests, invokes in you myriad feelings. Of love n longing, hope n despair, sadness n joy.

The simplicity of the poems touches the heart. I am sure, every reader will identify with at least some of the poems. The author has worded the poems with words from his soul. And the artwork is simply amazing! It kind of breathes life in the poems.

I am thankful to @indicacademy @indicbookclub for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Chaitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Humans, we are -
Flawed, confused, beautiful"
- Promises, Manish Mundra

Firstly I'd love to thank Indica Academy/Indic Book Club for sending me 'Mosaic' the first poetry collection by Manish Mundra as per the initiative of 1000 reviewers club. Since I am not someone who loves poetry or have the expected ability to dive into the realm of verses and comprehend them I was bit in doubt whether I'm a right person to read the book and review it however I enjoyed reading all the poems in Mosaic. They were on a various topics, love, inspiration, life, struggles you name it. The poet carries the unique delicateness all through his poetry which swiftly yet softly moves into the reader's mind and awakens the sensitivity embedded in one. There were various poems which left me at awe and there were some others which made me seem so multidimensional I guess it's left to the reader to decide what the poet is talking about. One such was 'Invader!'
A reader would feel like the poems are talking to him, on behalf of him as well. They are so phenomenal, makes you ponder and feel things you otherwise would have ignored. What I really loved about the poems is there is a pattern of softness in it which I didn't find in any other contemporary famous poets whom I must admit I rarely read. Although I'm not quite familiar with the realm of poetry I could feel Manish Mundra standing quite different from the rest.

I'm thankful to the Indic Book Club for sending me this book. I had heard a great deal about the poet and his film works but I'm glad I got an introduction into his creativity through words.

The illustrator has done an excellent job breathing the visual life into the poems. I've stared at the illustrations at awe and every poem has its unique representation it put me on wondering how visual art seems so simple yet so hard to both device and decode. I'm someone who always ignores pictoral representations but the ones in Mosaic were so marvelous I realised the beauty they add to the poems. The illustrator Mayuri Shahane took me to another realm. They were simply beautiful.

I convey my best wishes to Manish Mundra for his upcoming poetry collections!

I'd love to end my review with a line from the poet's 'Kintsugi'
"Broken, but hopeful-
The true essence of being alive!'

[Anand Nair]

A long time ago, the great economist Thomas Sowell used to run a column called Notes On The Passing Scene, in which he transcribed his thoughts on any topic that came to his mind, ranging from the deepest questions of human life to lying about his age and like. The idea behind this, I believe, was to say that at the end of the day, the random trivia which makes up most of our life is just as valuable to ponder about as the profound questions of metaphysics and love.

I was reminded of this same thought process when reading Manish Mundra's Mosaic, which covers topics as diverse as the need to communicate (two poems on this : Let's Talk, and Ask Me) to thoughts on Alzheimer's and falling apart, etc. There is no grand vision or ideology binding all of these poems; I believe the poet hopes that his simple honesty would substitute for a binding structure.

All the poems are in free verse, and although I tend to be on Frost's side on this choice (he compared writing in free verse to playing tennis without a net), Mr Mundra finds favor by never giving in to attempting elephant art, his concentrated and limited vision being devoid of any pretense of faux intellectualism. In this he seems to be following Wallace Stevens advice that poetry must resist intelligence as much as possible.

It is of much credit to Mayuri Shahane that any review which doesn't mention her brilliant illustrations that accompany each poem in this collection would be found inadequate in nature. Her work elevates the poems to such a degree that one feels that this collection should be presented as a co-creation of Ms Shahane and Mr. Mundra. And as a collaborative effort of these two, it is very well worth its price.

[Agni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this amazing collection of poems. Totally impressed with how seamlessly the author has taken several themes such as love, heart break, spirituality, beauty, loss and emotions in such an escapade of artwork (like 'literally') encompassed with poetry. I am not a poetry person, but this book has inspired me to read more poetry. It was a wonderful read, I could feel the words sing to me. Anyone can relate with the work. Also this is not a one-time read. You can read it multiple times to experience your own emotion through different layers of characteristic verses poured effortlessly into the plinths of your soul. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys poetry with the aforementioned themes.

[Sooraj Naga · Rating 4 out of 5]

These collections of poems are very relative and powerful. The sequence of love, desire, goal and downfall happens in the same physical plane but has different effects on the mental plane.

The author's scrutinization to make the words modest hits you differently when you have witnessed them. All the poems resonated with me with whatever subjective experience I have had in the quarter/n part of life. I guess you will also have a beautiful journey when you visualise your life with these poems.

The illustrations are pretty well conceived, now and then I tried to project my own thoughts with the sketches before dwelling into the words and mostly succeeded in interpreting, it was amusing. In its entirety, this book is a minimal art on life pursuit.

[Kiran Basavaraju · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poetry book. The poet has taken the various facets of life and brought them to life through his poetry with very simple but very effective words. Beautifully poetry, excellent presentation.

[Reading Diet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I was a fan of Hindi poetry and I never explored much in English poetry except Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur.
But I'd say that Manish Mundra you made me fall in love with English poetry. A big big big thanks to the Indic Book Club (IBC) for bringing it to my reading list.

MOSAIC is beautifully written in simple language and it's not hard to decode. Though, it hit my heart 🙂

All the emotions like Love, Fear, Pain, Sadness, Happiness, etc. are beautifully represented by the writer. As a reader and thinker, I'd highly appreciate the efforts made by him to put across all the emotions and feelings in the words. I am sure that all of you can relate at least some of the poems to your life experiences.


I'd recommend the book to all of you who want to learn how to bring your unexpressed emotions into the page.

Last but not least, how can I forget the amazing artwork. If poems are the soul of MOSAIC, then the artwork is the breath.

[Gaurav Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a man talks from his heart, he speaks poetry. Mosaic by Manish Mundra is a collection of poems that comes straight from his heart and goes straight to the heart of the reader. While reading the book I felt like my best friend has shared his personal diary with me in which he has written his innermost feelings that I was unaware of. It took me approximately an hour to read the book, but the poems are still resonating in my mind and I am sure they will stay with me for years to come. The poems are simple yet profound. The emotions of pain, longing, love, sadness, fear etc. are beautifully expressed in the poems. There are many poems that are so relatable that I felt the poet has articulated my feelings.

The book has a collection of 58 short poems which are in free verse. Poet has used simple words that are easy to comprehend, however, the feelings that they carry are insightful. It’s very difficult to write such expressive thoughts in simple words and that’s the beauty of his poems. As they say, it’s very simple to be difficult but it’s very difficult to be simple. I feel that the highlight of the book is the vulnerability expressed brilliantly in many poems. Everyone has chinks in the armor, but we keep them to ourselves. It takes courage to show your vulnerable side to others and the poet has done it is so beautifully that it touches your heart.

Another beautiful aspect of the book are the illustrations by Mayuri Shahne who has expressed the feelings of the poem so beautifully in her sketches that they seem to be in unison.

I will recommend the book to all those who are fond of contemporary poetry and to those who want to learn how to transform their inner thoughts into simple but impactful words.

Manish is a well-known filmmaker who has produced films like Masan, Newton, Aankhon Dekhi etc. If you have watched any of the above movies it will not be difficult for you to understand that only a person with a sensitive heart can produce such movies. This sensitiveness is also reflected in his poems. This is his first book of poetry. I would like to congratulate him for sharing this fine piece of art with everyone and wish him all the best for his future endeavors.

Thanks to Indic Academy and Indic Book Club, for sending me this book as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club.

[Prisha Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always believe that poetry is a completely different language on its own. A language of interpreting one's deepest and darkest feelings that resonate from the very bottom of the heart. Raw, vulnerable, and beautiful. After reading Mosaic by Manish Mundra, I have realized that his poems are indeed, a completely different language on their own.

As I flipped through the pages, I felt a plethora of emotions cruising through my body. Every poem, every word and the understated yet apt illustrations by Mayuri Shahane capture the notion so well, that it made my reading journey all the more. The way how the poet has described various emotions experienced during different phases of life has left me awe-struck. The flow in his poems, which are mostly free verse, is as smooth and pleasant as the water trickling down a brook. They pulled at my heartstrings, and made me nostalgic. One of the most unique things about this anthology is its simplicity. The interpretation of complex human feelings to straightforward and vivid words, but still retaining their entire essence, makes me feel as though I am having a conversation with the book tête-à-tête.

From the entire collection of 58 poems, 'Rhythm', 'Life/Time' and 'Man Enough?' have achieved a special place in my heart. To give a few spoilers, just to induce curiosity, the poem 'Obdurate' has taught me a great lesson on self-love and realizing your own worth that I will remember all my life. 'Doors' was relatable to such an extent, that it almost brought tears to my eyes and 'Mosaic', after which the book was probably named, was brilliant. It left me speechless. As a budding poet myself, I usually write to let out my inner feelings, to make my soul light. But when I read Mosaic, these very words elevate my soul and make my day. I'm pretty sure these poems are going to stay on with me, and have already become a part of me. And of course, I am now an ardent fan of the poet and illustrator (her art thoroughly fascinates me) and they have become a huge source of inspiration for me.

I am grateful for having stumbled upon this book, and would like to thank Indic Academy and Indic Book Club for having made this acquaintance possible through the Thousand Reviewers Club.

[Dr. Susmita Dey]

Poetry is for those who live life to the fullest.
This curated collection of poems by Manish Mundra is indeed an embroidered fabric of the essence of Life
‘ The true essence of being alive!’

Life is indeed a montage in which there are people, experiences, emotions and musings… and aptly he has titled his reflections on these as…. Mosaic!!

His poems explore a range of emotions ‘ seeping in, catching me, unawares..’ indeed the poems do catch the reader unaware… as you read you recognize the many inlays that describe the medley of life… interdependency, purposefulness, love, companionship, brevity, momentariness….and thus we search for ‘our crossroads, our own ways’ and long for ‘ some time, for recollection and reflection’…. which would be ‘worth a life time in itself’.

His poetry on the sorrow and acceptance of parting..
’whose fault is it, I wonder?
Does it even matter anymore?’
is perhaps the voice of sanity that most of us are contemplating upon everyday… the voice that sustains peace in humanity.

The graphics along side the poem are engaging enough to take the idea of the poem to even the diehard skeptics: not only words but sketch too speaks loud and clear.

The note of positivity ‘ I am determined
….
“Happiness is within”
I will find my happiness in ME
I will find ME again’
Is an inspiration to each one of us as we struggle with some inner demon at one time or another in our lives. It becomes our mantra… just as it
is the poet’s.
The balloons that he lets go in the air as he ends his anthology ‘I am sorry!’ is the cutest I have ever read…and so symbolic too… as the balloons soar high, the poet lets go all the negative energy and starts afresh… seeking
“Happiness is within” as he exudes confidence over finding his ‘ME’.

Many thanks as before Indic Academy/ Indic Book Club for giving me the opportunity to read and review this anthology.
Dr. Susmita Dey

[Sateesh Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mosaic, a fleet of 115 Poetries by Manish Mundra 🙏 an executive personality, producer, photographer, motivater, speaker, philanthropist poet. Though I am not good in literature but it's my courage to to look into the lines and aquire something as I am. A simple reader may also understand His talks of heart and a highly educated scholar may also describe these in its own way. The inner most thoughts, emotions of Poetry are resonancing the heart and mind togather.
Poems are simple but deepness of emotions can't be expressed by a simple thinker like me in words and lines 🙏

Rather than Mosaic, the title poem, Man enough, Alive, Lifecycle, doubt ,and Cycle, the most heart touching War Widow, snowy Nights waiting for you. Just read once and go to deep sea of thoughts.
Somewhere you will feel that I am there and my life is also there around.

🙏We all carry the patchwork,
Making up this beautiful Mosaic World.🙏

Simple words and free verses makes it continuous reading but it is very difficult to be so simple.
The illustrations by Mayuri Shahane are ... Speachless. I came to know that words can be expressed in sketches and lines also.
Poetry does not takes much of your time to read it needs attention and addition with feelings and flow and flow till you can...

It's my recommendation and request that to reform, to transform and to renorm your inner thoughts must go through these poems. I am sure that these impact on your thoughts and change your life.
Thank you Indic Book Club for Obliging me with a very simple, sweet and lightening memory🙏

[Pradeep Rajput · Rating 5 out of 5]

"बहते जाना है और बस समुद्र में जाकर समा जाना है"

जीवन नदी के प्रवाह सा है, जो बहते हुए समुद्र की गहराइयों में जाकर एक दिन सिमट जाता है, और फ़िर वह भी सागर हो जाता है। इस प्रवाह में अनेक पत्थर, पहाड़ आते हैं, पर नदी के प्रवाह को नहीं रोक पाती, वह बस उसे मोड़ सकते हैं अथवा रास्ता बदलने पर मजबूर कर सकते हैं, पर उसे रोक नहीं पाते। क़भी क़भी प्रवाह इस वेग् से बहता है कि वह पत्थर , पहाड़ सबको अपने साथ बहा ले जाता है।

मानव जीवन में ऐसे पत्थर और पहाड़ अनेक हैं, अनेक चिंताये उसे घेरे रहती हैं। पर मानव उन सबसे मुक्त होने को संध्या का इंतज़ार करता रहता है। कुछ प्रेम भरे शब्दों से थकान मिट जाती है, तो क़भी दुःख भी दे जातें हैं कुछ शब्द।

जीवन की इन्हीं सब उधेड़बुन को शब्दों में ढ़ालने की जादूगरी ही तो है "मोजेक"। जीवन के कई रंगों को शब्दों और चित्रों में इतनी सुंदरता से इस पुस्तक में उतारा गया है, आप इस शब्द और चित्र की दुनियां में कहीं गहरे उतरते जाते हो।

कुछ कवितायें आनंद करातीं है, तो कुछ आपको प्रेरित करती हैं लक्ष्य को निर्धारण करने की ओर। इन छोटी छोटी कविताओं में गहरे उतरते जाइये,आप इनमें अपने आप को भी कहीं पा ही लेंगे। चित्रकार ने इन शब्दों से जो दृश्य रचे हैं, वे आपको शब्दों में ओर उतरने और उन्हें समझने में सहायक है।

कुछ शब्द छाप छोड़ते हैं, मैं एक दो लिख देता हूँ

"Ignorance, or mistake
It's all embroidery now."


"Accept me as I am -
With my mistakes, and all my colours!

[Shwetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetry collection, interestingly titled 'Mosaic' by Manish Mundra, is an engrossing inward journey by the author. His muses are introspective and unique.
However, there seems to be an undercurrent of sadness flowing through the poems. An attempt to understand oneself and to take life, death and love with a positive outlook make the collection read-worthy.
'It's not that if you are broken, that everything ends.
To be broken is:
To turn upside down,
To be ripped into pieces,
To be shattered,
To hit a dead end.
What breaks you,
Makes you too!
...... Broken but hopeful ….’
Such lines make us rethink the tragedies in our life, the sorrows and the way we look at them, understand them and learn from them.
The sketches alongside each poem are open to the interpretation of the reader, as do most of the poems. Poetry may always mean something to the poet and readers may understand it differently. It is the freedom that poetry gives to the reader. Mundra’s ‘Mosaic’ can be read again and again. We get to see each poem in a different light every time we read it.

[Anshul Surolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I would like to thank Indic Academy for sending me such a masterclass. Team Indic deserves a great applause. Just because of them I was able to experience such a wonderful book which I would never have picked by myself.
Coming to the book, it is a wonderful collection of poetries touching every human feeling ranging from sadness of loneliness to joys of being together, from despair to hope. There is something for everyone to connect himself/herself with the poetry. Poetries are so wonderful that they leave a lasting impression on the readers.
Illustration work is wonderful. I would suggest the readers to go through the illustration given just before the poem and then start reading it. It only will enhance your experience.
For me it was a wonderful journey along with the poet. It’s a must read for every passionate reader looking for the sequence of love, desire, hope, despair and loneliness in the same bag.
Once again, thanks Indic academy for this gem.

[Esheet Koyande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems are something I've always kept distance from, so I can't really say if I'm the ideal person to write a review on a poetry book but still I'll try.
To be honest, 'Mosaic' by Manish Mundra is the first poetry book that I've read & It's an ideal book for a beginner like me. If I had to describe the book in three words, they'd be: Simple, Sweet & Heartfelt. No heavy vocabulary, complex sentences or deep philosophy, just simple feelings each one of us experience.
I'd definitely recommend this book to those who want to enjoy poetry by actually understanding it. Manish Mundra has ever so subtly touched all aspects of being human, be it love,fear, desperation, separation, anxiety, happiness & more! Quite amazing how he's has described the intricate matters of the heart with such ease & simplicity.
The exquisite illustrations by Mayuri Shahane are a big red cherry on top! Her illustrations are like the pictorial form of the poem. Look closely & you'll be able to see the poem manifest itself in the drawings.
Overall, this book is an eye-candy & also a food for the heart, A hearty treat for newbies & seasoned readers alike.

[Prabha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the name says , “Mosaic” by Manish Mundra is a blank canvas, where he drew beautiful poems , showing the readers a different perspective of life. It is collection of around 40-50 poems by the author written on different topics ranging from life, love, purpose, rain etc., All poems are short, simple and delightful to read.
I really enjoyed reading the book. If u want a book, to just spend your time leisurely, with poems of different perspective, then this book is for u. The poems are in very simple English yet very meaningful. The author has played with the words, expressing the emotions profoundly through it. The poems are very much relatable also. The artworks in the book also deserves recognition. Such beautiful drawings side by side of the poems is a wonderful idea which adds more beauty to the poems.
This is a go to book for a relaxing mind. Poem lovers please don’t miss this book, I am sure you wont regret the decision.

[Yashasvi Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mosaic is collection of poetry by Manish Mundra. This is one of those books that can be finished in just an hour but then forces you to come back to it again and again. The poems are all short and condensed in such a way that they force you - the reader - to think over the pithy lines. Then they pull you back in for a second reading and then a third reading. It's not easy to deconstruct things down to the bare minimum and then present them. But Manish Mundra achieves it and then some.

Add to this the surreal artwork, and you have a great book to while away a lazy sunday afternoon. Two thumbs Up!

[Ankita Chauhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Here: https://soundingwords.blogspot.com/20...

Mosaic by Manish Mundra, is a thoughtful collection of poems, centered around introspective aloneness. His work reflects on beauty of being understood. Nothing is exaggerated. These simple yet powerful poems are mostly based on universal emotions.

While reading Manish Mundra’s poetry, I realized if human strength could have voice, this is what it could say. I tried to savour the sense of thought behind each poem. Somewhere it is so comforting to observe how he used ordinary moments, to express his perception of life.

[Harshil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of beautiful short poems. They are written beautifully with simple and attractive words. Poems in this book are based on our lives and I find a lot of very relatable. This book is overall good and everyone should try it for once.

[Luvena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok... I thought this would be an interesting change to my reading option - I hadn't spent time with poetry for a long while, so it was interesting to receive this book in my Indian Writers review list. I must say, I was quickly bored and read through the pages quite quickly and simply scanning to see if anything really caught my eye.

The poetry itself seemed to be based on heartbreak or longing - couldn't be death or just a severed relationship but it felt like endless pangs of losing a loved one. The repetition bored me but for the few that really felt like a spark of freshness between the pages. 'No regrets' and 'Surprise Me' were gently touching and 'Alzheimer's' showed the writer's vulnerability. But most were largely mundane words strung together with limited finesse or mastery of vocabulary.

The artwork, however, was lovely! The simple line drawings gave a nice touch to the essence of the poems.

Overall, a 3 just for checking my box of Poetry for this year.