Curriculum
Vitae of Dr. Manas Bakshi
Name : Dr. Manas Bakshi
Date
of Birth : 4th February,
1954
Father’s
Name : The Late Mr. Dunia Lal Bakshi
Address : 22C/1L, South Sinthee Road, LICI Housing
Estate,
Kolkata
700050
Mobile No. : 9831619620
Academic
Qualification : M.Com, LL.B., Ph.D. (University of Calcutta)
Academic
Books :
1. From
Feudalism to Capitalism – A Case Study of Agrarian West Bengal, 1920-1980.
Firma KLM. P. Ltd, Kolkata - 12, ISBN : 87-7102-141-7 (Abridged
version of Ph.D. thesis).
2. Land
Reforms in Left Regime : A Probe Into West Bengal’s Socio-Economic
Perspective, 1977-2011, Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi. (Post-Doctoral
treatise). ISBN : 81-7023-798-X.
Dr.
Manas Bakshi, ‘a major voice’ in Indo-English poetry, with twelve books of
repute, viz,
1) Long
Awaited (Firma KLM P. Ltd., 1988)
2) In
the Age of Living Death (Rupa & Co., 1990)
3) The
Welkin is Blue Yet in Agony (Firma KLM P. Ltd., 1995)
4) Of
Dreams and Death (Firma KLM P. Ltd., 2000)
5) From
Adam to Myself (Firma KLM P. Ltd., 2003)
6) Not
Because I Live Today (Script, 2005)
7) Man
of the Seventh Hour (Script, 2006)
8) The
Midnight Star (Cambridge India, 2009)
9) Between
Flower And Flame (Script, 2011)
10) Maudlin
Musings (Sparrow Publication, 2014)
11) Dance
Of Satan And Other Poems (Authors Press, 2017)
12) Parnassus
Of Revival (The Poetry Society Of India, 2017)
13) Soliloquy
Of A Sailor (Authors Press, 2020)
and numerous
poems published and anthologised widely in India and abroad, has earned
worldwide acclaim for his poetry.
Included in the biographical reference
works of American Biographical Institute inc. U.S.A, International Biographical
Centre, Cambridge, U.K, Journal of Commonwealth Literature and Asia Pacific
Who’s Who volume XV, Dr. Bakshi is Ex. Member, Editorial Board, “United” –
House Journal of United Bank of India, Member, Advisory Committee, GUILD Of
Indian English Writers, Editors and Critics, Member, Editorial Advisory Board,
International Journal on Multicultural Literature and Member, The Research
Board of Advisors, American Biographical Institute, Inc, USA.
His poems have appeared in The Statesman,
The E.T. Calcutta Plus, The Asian Age, The Telegraph, The Indian P.E.N., Poet
(Now Poetry World), Journal of Poetry Society (India), The Mowaheb
International (Canada), Fresh (New Zealand), Osaka University Newspaper
(Japan), S.G.L. (U.S.A) Kafla Inter-Continental, Poets International, Canopy,
The Brown Critique, The Quest, Skylark India, The Brain Wave, Poetcrit,
Replica, The Green Valleys & Golden Fields Weekly, Byword, Art and Poetry
Today, Bridge-in-Making, Poetry Today, The Green Lotus, The Poetry Chain,
Poetry and Art, Kovita Review, Coffee House, Shine, Bizz Buzz, The Scoria,
Cyber Literature, Voice of Kolkata, Triveni, Indian Book Chronicle, Samvedna,
The Golden Vase, The Inner Voice, Explorer, Rock Pebbles, Ars Poetica Indiana,
Verse Universe, Indo-Asian Literature, Sri Aurobindo’s Action, IJPCL,
Contemporary Vibes, IJML, JIEWEC and many other Journals. His poems have been
broadcast several times over All India Radio.
Dr. Bakshi won the first prize in both
English Short Story and English Poem Writing in the All India Competition
organized by United Bank of India, for its staff members, in 2003. He has been
honoured with the “Best Poet of 2003” by the Poets International, Bangalore,
Bridge – in – Making Diamond Jubilee Award, Kolkata 2011, Rachana Sahitya
Samman, Chattishgar, 2016, Best Award for his poem on Peace by the Poetry
Society of India, Gurugram (Haryana), 2017 and Brightest Honour by Sufi World,
Bangalore in 2020. He has received several laurels and accolades in recognition
to his creative talent from many other literary/academic organizations.
ARTICLES
/ REVIEW ARTICLES ON THE POETICAL WORKS OF Dr. MANAS BAKSHI
1. “Imprint
of An Age Has Remained” by Somdatta Ghosh, ‘The Asian Age’ dt. 13.09.1997
2. “Poetry
Of Flowers Which Do Not Bloom”, Review Article on “Of Dreams And Death”. by A.
H. Tak, ‘Indian Book Chronicle’, May-June, 2001.
3. “Kazuosi
Ikeda On The Poetry of Manas Bakshi”, ‘Bridge-in-Making’, 38th Issue, September – December, 2003.
4. “Going
Over The Top With Images Of Daily Life”, ‘Hindustan Times’, Kolkata Edition,
dated 06.02.2004’.
5. “Human
Concern, Pathos And Tragic Feelings In The Poetry of Dr. Manas Bakshi” By S.L.
Peeran, ‘Poet’, April, 2004.
6. Ibid,
Part-II, May, 2004.
7. “Manas
Bakshi : A Different Poet” By SumitTalukdar, ‘Indian Book Chronicle’ March –
April, 2004.
8. “The
Poet As Prophet”, Review Article by Rita Nath Keshari on “Man of The Seventh Hour”,
Poet, March, 2007.
9. “Glimpses
of Life”, Review Article on “Man Of The Seventh Hour” by Jasvinder Singh,
National Herald, New Delhi, Dated September 1, 2007.
10. “Night
Syndrome In the Poetry Of Manas Bakshi”, Review Article by Dr. N.P Singh on “Not
Because I Live Today” Poetcrit, Jan, 2008.
11. “Philosophical
Flavour in Manas Bakshi’s The Midnight Star” By P.V. Laxmi Prasad in
‘Discourses on Contemporary Indian English Poets’ Edited by K.V. Dominic,
Authors Press, Delhi, 2010.
12. “An
overview of Man of The Seventh Hour” By Rituparna Dutta Roy, Bridge in-Making,
58th&
59th Issue, Jan. 2011.
13. “Manas
Bakshi : A Poet Par Excellence” by Jasvindar Singh, Poetcrit, Jan. 2012.
14. “Crisis
of Values : A Critical Study of Manas Bakshi’s Man Of The Seventh Hour” by K.
V. Raghupati in K. V. Dominic’s (Ed), Critical Evalution of Contemporary Indian
Poetry in English, Access, New Delhi, 2012.
15. “Progressive
Humanist Poet Manas Bakshi” by Dr. Rama Rao Vadapalli V. B., Boloji.com
dated 04.10.13.
16. “The
Poetry Of Manas Bakshi: Universal Anxieties”, by P. V. Laxmi Prasad, Poetcrit,
January 2014.
17. “Political
Concern in the Poetry of Manas Bakshi” by Alisha Vandana Lakra, Bizz Buzz, Vol
– 16, 2013.
18. “Intellectual
sophistication at work in the poetry of Manas Bakshi with special reference to
The Midnight Star” by P. C. K. Prem in “Studies On Six Indian Poets in
English”, edited by K. V. Dominic, GNOSIS, New Delhi, 2012.
19. “Love
Poems of Dr. Manas Bakshi: A Brief Appraisal” by Akash Bhattacharjee, Ibid.
20. “Dr.
Manas Bakshi: A Major Voice in Indo-Anglian Poetry” by Rituparna Datta Roy, Ibid.
21. “Manas
Bakshi: Mystic, Realist, Modern Sensitive Poet”, by Pranab Kumar Majumdar,
Bridge-in-Making, No. 68, Jan’ 2015.
22.
“Lyrical Sonority, Musical Diction and Rhythmic Incantation in the poetry of
Manas Bakshi” by Bijoy Kant Dubey, Poetcrit, July, 2016.
23. “Polychromatic
Short Poems of Manas Bakshi”, Review Article by Dr. V.V.B. Rama Rao, Poetcrit,
January, 2017.
24. “Reading
Manas Bakshi’s Man Of The Seventh Hour : A brief appraisal” by Dr. Suresh
Chandra Pandey, Contemporary Vives, April-June, 2017.
25. “Manas
Bakshi’s Parnassus Of Revival—a Critical Appraisal” by Dr. Dalip Khetarpal,,
Contemporary Vives, July-September, 2017.
26. “Fruits
of Delight in the Fields of Despair in Manas Bakshi’s Dance Of Satan And Other
Poems” by T.V Reddy, IJML, July, 2017.
27. “Effusion
of Emotions in Manas Bakshi’s Parnassus Of Revival” by S. Barathi, GIEWEC,
September, 2017.
28. “In
the Whirlpool of Ambiguity” by Dr. Kailash Ahluwalia, Contemporary Vibes,
Oct-Dec, 2017.
29. “Manas
Bakshi’s Parnassus Of Revival” review article by K Rajani, IJML Jan, 2018.
30. “A
Quest For Feminist Voices In Manas Bakshi’s Poetic Journey” by Dr. Poonam
Dwivedi, Cyber Literature, June, 2018.
31. “The
Poetry Of Manas Bakshi: A Critical Study” by Dr. J. D. Chauhan, Poetcrit,
July-Dec., 2018.
32. “Manas
Bakshi As A Major Poet” by Dr. Bijay Kant Dubey, Bizz Buzz, Vol-20, 2018.
33. Review
Article on Manas Bakshi’s “Dance Of Satan” by Dr. P. Selvaraj, Bizz Buzz, Ibid.
34. On
the Paratext of “Dance Of Satan And Other Poems” and on the “Parnassus Of
Revival” by Dr. Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhaya, Poetcrit Jan-June, 2018.
35. “Anguish
of a Progressive Humanist : Manas Bakshi”, by Rama Rao Vadapalli V.B.,
Poetcrict, Vol.-33, Jan.-June, 2020.
36. “Manas
Bakshi’s Poetic Concern for Human Relation : An Overview with a special
reference to Parnassus of Revival” by Dr. Katta Rajamouly, Creation and
Criticism, Jan.‑Apr., 2020.
37. “Manas
Bakshi’s Latest Work : Soliloquoy of A Sailor” by Dr. Rama Rao Vadapalli V.B.,
Baloji-com, dated 6.12.2020.
38. “Dance
of Satan by Manas Bakshi : A Structural Study” by Suresh Chandra Pande,
Poetcrit, Jan-June 2021.
Interview
/ Profile
1. Bleeding
Passion
The
Statesman dt. 31.03.1997.
2. Poet
Working Out The Puzzle of Life
Hindustan Times dt.
05.07.2002.
3. For
Better or for Verse
The Asian Age dt.
19.10.2003.
4. All
For Poetry
The Indian Express
dt. 07.02.2006.
5. A
Long Affair With Poetry
The Telegraph dt.
13.04.2007.
6. Literary
Legend Speaks,
Contemporary Vibes,
Oct.-Dec., 2011.
7. Interview
with the poet Dr. Manas Bakshi, The English India, INJELL, Apr-June, 2013. Pp.
32-39, dt. 10.05.13.
8. Jasvinder
Singh in conversation with Manas Bakshi, Poetcrit, July, 2013.
EXCERPTS FROM
REVIEWS IN PAPERS AND JOURNALS OF REPUTE
(1) “Elusive,
without being obscure, Bakshi’s poetic voice is sober and reflective. He
interweaves a wide range of thematic strands through his little anthology: here
an allusion to politics, there a glance toward poetic theory. There is a deeply
personal air to the selection: the reader is invited onto the poet’s spiritual
plain as well as into his intellectual sphere.”
The Statesman.
(2) “For Manas Bakshi, poetry is what he
finds in most ordinary of situations. And in the welter of common sounds and
sights of life, he seizes his moment of inspiration”
The Indian Express.
(3) “Be it the terrifying Al-Qaeda threat or
the alarming ecological imbalance which resulted in the devastating Tsunami,
Bakshi emphatically explores the map of the human heart and soul, forever
ravaged by flaws and lapses.”
The Asian Age.
(4) “Poems like Love-Talk or Dreamy or You,
for example, are glimpses of Bakshi’s skills as a writer with an eye for
putting the pauses and space between words to good use.”
Hindustan Times.
(5) “Bakshi’s collection of poems could well
make one brood over the unsung in the hearts of many”
The Hindu.
(6) “Bakshi’s
poems are full of evocative imagery; sometimes satirical, sometimes hammering
straight to the heart but always leading the reader along the track of
sensitive poetry”
The Telegraph.
(7) “The imagery evoked is indeed powerful
and the poet seems to rise from the very ashes, like the phoenix”
The Herald.
(8) “Here is the work of an intellectual, a
man with faults and failings ( as have each of us), but one whose soul shines
through his poetry, and whose final thoughts are offered in tribute to his
Creator.”
The Mawaheb International
(Canada).
(9) The highly acclaimed writings of
Kolkata-based poet, writer and Litterateur extraordinaire, Manas Bakshi, never
fail to quicken the pulse of the ardent reader, and to give new dimension to
the Universal commonplace of human experience, for Bakshi is a prominent voice
within an ever-increasing galaxy of those English-speaking writers of
present-day international repute. And like the proverbial lone bird whose
melodious strains reverberate with such poignant constancy through the leafy
confines of a darkened wood or sylvan, forest glade, here is a poet who, most
assuredly sings from the heart as, elevated from the trauma of long-past
vicissitude, he gives broader scope to those elements of intrinsic emotion that
concern each and every one of us, irrespective of age, religion, colour, caste
or social distinction. He is a poet of the modern idium, yet a strong element
of poetic sentiment essentially embodies the entirety of his work.
Born in the early fifties of the
previous century, Bakshi was later to gain notable meritorious distinction in
the higher academic field. His command of English is of exceptional quality and
is typified by an ordered intensity of reflective musing bonded with succinct
presentation and finely-crafted development of style. Much of the poetry in his
present collection, ‘BETWEEN FLOWER AND FLAME’, is centred upon the interplay
of fate within the changing patterns of human emotion; and characteristically,
Bakshi clear-sightedly delivers a decidedly over-all view, rather than descend
into the realms of self-centred address:
- Bernard M. Jackson in
Poetcrit.
(10) Dr. Bakshi is a major poet writing today
and enriching the domain of Indian English
poetry. His poems are philosophical and topical in the first glance….
Dr. Bakshi has emerged, in the
present book, as a very mature poet showing his impressive presence in the
gallery of Indian English poets writing today. Now the time is ripe for the
critics of IEP also to direct their attention to his poetry to show to the
world what he thinks through his musing in his deep moments of contemplation.
- Dr. D. C. Chambial in
Poetcrit.
(11) Journey depicts the dynamics of Dr. Manas
Bakshi’s poetry; The sojourns and
watersheds emit fragrance with which the reader is enchanted in his/her
romanticism, spiritualism and material pursuits for conducting the smooth
sailing in life…. The journey of life
breaks with every daybreak and gradually the dream breaks before reality-blows
in tune with nuclear age. Dark was the island that gave birth to poet’s dream
and there was no watershed or communal clash or ethnic rage. Each parrot in the
cage laments the lesson of human bondage.( The Island of My Dream).
The diction is elitist and excellent,
the subjects are original and emanate from realm of highest order touching the
philosophical clouds and at the same time clinging to charcoal of obstinate
concern is humane touching the psyche of mankind, moreover, the contrast is
maintained between the softer and soothing aspect of life and harsh realism of
actualities.
- Mr. Anil K. Sharma in
Contemporary Vibes.
(12) Dr. Manas Bakshi is among the widely
published and anthologized poets writing in English today. He has come to be
known for his difficult identity of outlook and expression. The present volume,
From Adam to Myself, the fifth he has come up with, fully lives up to what his
readers have come to expect of him. There is a unity of mood, tone and
treatment running through the several poems in this collection which gathers
them into a simple recognizable sheaf.
- Dr. Srinivasa Rangaswami
in The Jourrnal of Indian Writing in English.
(13) The extensiveness of the themes the poet
takes up is astonishing. The poet’s penetrating eyes turn to the inner world
within humankind and the outer world in nature and society. Moreover, the
angles of looking at the things and the phenomena are very different and lead
to variety of views of lyric, imaginative, significant, and philosophical
characters.
- Dr. Kazuyoshi Ikeda in
Bridge-in-Making.
(14) It is truly good of Manas Bakshi to share
with the world poets so that we can see how things are in India. I especially
like the truth Bakshi imbues in his work and giving us new words to fit his
descriptions/feelings. This makes us think, draws us to an attraction for such.
Yes, poets are usually not the ‘politically correct’ type which gives us
another aspect to think about too. I liked traveling with Bakshi, learning from
his experiences, local customs, differences in our cultures.
Rosemary C. Wikinson,
President, Emeriti, World Congress of Poets.
(15) Unlike most of the contemporary
Indo-Anglian poets who concentrate on the realistic or faithful presentation of
futility and anarchy of the modern world – social crisis, economic depression,
political upheaval, lack of faith in human values- Manas Bakshi explicates the
impact of this change on the mind and psyche of a conscious individual. He
depicts enxiety, perplexity and confusion of modern mind whose skepticism and
agnosticism do not allow him to understand either his own ‘self’ or the
universe around him.
Prof. A. H. Tak in Indian
Book Chronicle.
(16) To me, the distinct identity of Manas lies
in making his serene thoughts come alive with evocative imagery, adroit
craftsmanship and selection of appropriate words…..Manas can look into the
depth of any aspect of life with insight and can shape it into poetry with
clarity and dexterity.
Pronab Kumar Mazumder in
Replica.
(17) There is a great variety among the poems.
There are the haiku-like poems, there are lyrics, and there is the teasing-out
of the metaphysical and the satirical. As Bakshi’s themes have evolved, so has
his style, developing and modulating into various forms,, but always with an
essential lyricism. To read Bakshi’s poems as they unfold in Of Dreams and Death
is to grasp the depth and breadth of the poet’s career and the many sides of
his nature. This work superbly illustrates the poet’s tools of his trade,
alliteration, assonance, and so forth. Each poem is a self-contained,
syntactical and emotional unit, linked to what has gone before and what will
come after.
Patricia Prime in Poet.
(18) Being empty, poetry is emptiness, what is
the emptiness of Bakshi? Now buoyed in quietness and blessed by Eternal Law, we
follow into the hollow unfolding the emptiness of Bakshi. Poems that drip
loneliness dripping one metaphor at a time, each metaphor a wavicle of cross
cultural knowing and understanding of life. Its great diversity a flow from
which we quench an intellectual thirst. In order to appreciate Dr. Bakshi we must
vibrate in his plane of vibration.
Michael L. Adams, Litt.D in
Poet.
(19) In poem after poem, the poet Manas Bakshi’s
imagination and imagery leaves the reader surprised in admiration for his art
of writing poems. He deserves all accolades of laudations for his subtle
expression and poetic diction. No exaggeration, it is really an excellent
poetic work of Dr. Bakshi.
Jasvinder Singh in Bizz
Buzz.
(20) His poems in general are more reflective
than descriptive and have their own irresistible appeal – direct and intimate.
He ransacks nature for imagery and his similes are often elaborate that leave
the readers gazing in the multiple possibilities of implications besides the
obvious ones.
Dr. Kumar Chandradeep in
Cyber Literature.
(21) Your poems are always unique – most
pensive. I am proud of you. My W.P. numbers are hailed as Great all over the
world. And your part in my success is ever Great.
Dr. Krisna Srinivas, Founder
President and Editor in Chief, Poet, International Monthly published by World Poetry
Society.
(22) The poet is verily a creator, Brahma. He
creates both from his personal experience and his imagination. He has ability
to put across his emotions and feelings in a very appealing way. He has the
capacity of envisioning and the skill of communication. Poetic skill is a
spark, holding in mind a flash of lightning which leads to an insight and
revelation. Manas Bakshi, nearing sixty is imaginative and at times a visionary
and a sufferer. So far he has published nine collections, and won accolades and
encomiums for being an exponent of the value of Indian English poetry.
Dr. V. V. B. Rama Rao in
Boloji.com
23) Manas Bakshi imprints and impresses with
his shorter but long-lasting poems.He says little and it says more is the thing
to be felt with regard to Manas and his poetry.Perhaps some artist’s vision is
in him; that of a dreamer who keeps dreaming.How the poetic brush and paints of
his! Really, the golden boy of contemporary poetry.
Dr. Bijay Kant Dubey in
Bridge-in-Making.
24) Manas Bakshi appears precise. He makes
immense efforts to communicate the depth of feelings and thoughts. He talks
disgustingly of “Polygamy” in politics. It is stark opportunism and lack of
virtuous politicking that contaminates life in general. In whatever hues,
politicians move about one trait is quite apparent. Hypocrisy is integral to
political life.
P.C.K. Prem in GIEWEC.
(25) For the poet even a bird which visits his
drawing room does not give him joy but only reminds him of misery and grief:
“It enters my bed room too/unmindful of its mate/calling in the far away grove/
unmindful of a day/its posterity could be in a shambles”. Thus the poet has
attempted to open the eyes of heartless humanity to the never ending woes of
the paradoxical living.
S.L. Peeran in Canopy.
(26) His journey takes him through many alleys
depicting social degeneration. He sees the masked instigators of riots and
terrorist attacks. In the last stanza he speaks of his intense yet painful
relationship with his own ‘Indomitable Parnassus’ which will protect him from
slipping into moral decadence. Each poem in this collection (The Midnight
Star)has been selected with lot of care to portray a range of emotions and
thoughts challenging the ordinary to the common pace.
Rita Nath Keshari in
Poetcrit.
(27) A major voice in Indo-Anglian poetry,
Bakshi’s poems are vibrant with such thought waves, both realistic and
philosophical, as create resonance somewhere deep in human heart. From the
plight of a whore to the starvation death of a worker of a closed Tea Garden,
from the nocturnal mystery of Marine Drive, Mumbai to the ecological threat and
several other poems bear it out. Bakshi also excels in poems on human
relationships depicting love, betrayal, detachment and moral values.
Ramakrishna Chitrapu
Rajahmundry in Triveni.
(28) Dr. Manas Bakshi is a restless soul who is
prompted by all the situations, may be good or bad and has a poetic reaction;
he is repelled by the vulgarity, attracted by the sensuality, questioned by the
faith, obsessed by the logic, does a dialogue at a distance and takes snapshots from a whorehouse. In his
unique expressions, he does a great
service to the literature by using rich simile and metaphors. “Midnight
mellow meadows” and “sentimental stings.”
Dr. Poonam Dwivedi in
Contemporary Vibes.
29) After reading
the collection, sensitive readers could imagine that the elderly poet Manas
Bakshi with an alert, agile mind and keen observant eyes, has touched umpteen
aspects of life... His poetry is an excellent perspective view of life and
nature.
-Ashok K. Khanna in
Indo-Asian Literature.
(30) By employing
subtle and striking imagery he tries to present different contours and varying
shades of human emotion with convincing ease.
-T.V. Reddy in ‘A Critical
Survey of Indo-English Poetry’.
(31) Bakshi’s poems
seen in a holistic perspective are also romantic, realistic, ironical,
optimistic, pessimistic and philosophical.
-Ram Bhagwan Singh in Cyber
Literature.
(32) It is rather
astonishing how a handful of well chosen words can convey powerful meaning and
set our minds on fire with curiosity, sometimes more so than longer poems.
Bakshi can with just a few words create poignant imagery which transports the
reader to the place of the poem.
-Rob Harle in Beyond the
Rainbow, Australia.
(33) Overall the
entire collection is a poetry lover’s delight as it is a perfect ‘thali’
that nourishes them with a whiff of fresh air, deep insightful thoughts and
unique soulful imageries.
-Kavitha Gopalakrishan in
GIEWEC.
(34) He presents the
life in its degenerated forms in all aspects through capturing imagery,
incisive but lucid words. His deeply affected sensitivity is revealed in his
powerfully driving expressions, aptly chosen metaphors and similes
-K.V. Raghupathi in ‘Brave
New Wave’.
(35) There is
neither a display of wasted sentiments nor a forcing of ornate idiom. The
language is easy flowing with focus on conveying meaning through intellectual
play of images.
-Dr. O.P. Bhatnagar in
Bridge-In-Making.
(36) Words gush out
effortlessly from Manas Bakshi’s pen and he gives poetic utterances to his
thoughts which are of ravenous appetite and elevating experience.
-Prof. P.V. Laxmi Prasad in
Contemporary Vibes.
(37) His mental
dexterity at blending human feelings and moods with nature is both
psychological, philosophical, ironical and reflects his insightfulness, keen
perception and even a touch of pantheism.
-Dr. Dalip Khetarpal,
Former Director Principal, Jat Group of Colleges, Ambala.
(38) Bakshi’s
concern is at a deeper level of time, searching and soul searching though the
process is propelled by the painful and dreary physical life.
-Dr. C.L. Khatri , in Cyber
Literature.
(39) This is the
stark vision of life, contemporary life that has been vividly unfolded by Manas
Bakshi in Man of the Seventh Hour. All those who are passionately committed to
the survival of man in the post – Millennium era would certainly like to imbibe
the courage and candour of a gifted poet likeManas Bakshi.
-Dr. N.P. Singh in Bridge
in Making.
(40) He is one of
the major voices in contemporary Indian –English poetry. He is mainly concerned
with man’s predicament, his anguish, existential dilemma and the confusion in
search of meaning. Seeking the meaning of life is the prime concern of the poet.
-Dr.
K.V. Doiminic in Studies on Six Indian Poets in English.
(41) Bakshi’s poems indeed have a sublime
compelling force that not only entices and induces by its lyrical murmuring but
also inspires and motivates almost all thoughtful readers in favour of a
re-vision.
-Dr. Suresh Chandra Pande
in Contemporary Vibes.
(42) Only a poet like Manas Bakshi could express
concern over abuse of women like this in successive stanzas; “Before she got
traceless, falling prey of sexual violence the very night following The
International Women’s Day”.
-Dr. P. Selveraj in Bizz
Buzz.
(43) In short, Manas Bakshi is a poet who
impresses the readers with his profound knowledge of life in its varied forms
with all the music and poetry inherent in it.
-Dr. Kailash Ahluwalia
in Contemporary Vibes.
(44) Here is a poet belonging to the class of
poets par excellence in the galaxy of contemporary Indo-english poets. He is
none other than Dr. Manas Bakshi who occupies a significant place in the poetic
panorama by virtue of his rare merits in the contemporary era.
-Dr. Katta Rajamouly in
Creation and Criticism.
(45) Manas Bakshi is a poet of scholars because
of his indulgence in sublime thought which touches the heart and caress the
soul. I assert that his influence will keep on growing by leaps and bounds. He
is a school of thought where so many bards dwell.
-Dr. Shujaat Hussain,
Founder President, United Spirit of Writers Academy.
(46) Dr. Manas Bakshi is unconventional poet.
With vivid passionate anecdotes he creates an atmosphere of poetic jugglery.
-Maria
Miraglia in Contemporary Vibes.
Dr. Manas Bakshi has found place in
more than fifty anthologies including World Poetry anthology from 1999 to 2008,
edited by Dr. Krishna Srinivas and from 2009 to 2013 edited by S. Krishnan; in
the anthologies Dayspring, 1999 and Horizon, 2000 edited by Dr. Ravi Nandan
Sinha, Contemporary Poets 2007, 2009 and 2010 edited by M. S. Venkata Ramaiah,
Brave New Wave 2009 edited by K. V. Raghupathi, Busy Bee Book of Contemporary
Indian English Poetry 2007 edited by P. Raja and Rita Nath Keshari, Recent
Indian English Poetry 2014 By V. V. B. Rama Rao, English Poetry in India, 2011,
and Indian English Poetry : Time And Continuity 2016 by P.C.K. Prem,
Indian English Poetry 2013 by S. L. Peeran, Discourses on Contemporary Indian
English Poets 2010 edited by K. V. Dominic and Environmental Literature
2016, edited by K.V. Dominic & Pamela Jeyaraju, English Poetry in India
2012 edited by Pranab Kr. Mazumdar, Millennium Mood edited by C. L.
Khatri, Poets International Anthologies edited by Dr.Md., Fakhruddin, Poetry
Anthologies edited by Dr. K. Jagannathan, Dr. V. S. Skanda Prasad, Prof.
Paulose V. D. and many others.
ACADEMIC PROFILE
Manas Bakshi’s thesis was highly
appreciated by all the three examiners, namely,
Dr. Roger Hopkins of NIT, Dr. B. M. Lal Nigam of Delhi University and
Prof. Subrata Ganguli of Calcutta University. Here are some excerpts from the
observations of the three distinguished examiners on his thesis entitled
“Effects of Transition From Feudalism To Capitalism on Rural Bengal,
1920-1980.”:
1. “Overall
the candidate provides evidence of having pursued a comprehensive and detailed
analysis of his topic… I found the examination of the development of bargadari
cultivation of considerable interest… I consider the candidate has done
sufficient to meet the requirements for the degree”
Dr. Roger Hopkins.
2. “His
observations on sharecropping are fairly absorbing. His comments on the West
Bengal Estate Acquisition Act of 1953 and on work participation rate are
revealing enough. The proportion of agricultural labourers to the total
population which is increasing from decade to decade has been well examined by
him. The different tables in chapter V and VI have been painstakingly prepared
and furnish some interesting trends. The notes on page 131-onwards are, again,
revealing indeed”
Prof. B.M. Lall Nigam,
Ph.D., D.Litt, Department of Commerce, University of Delhi.
3. “I
highly appreciate the work produced by Mr. Manas Bakshi. The work
eminently deserves a Ph.D. degree in
commerce. His findings on the question of transition reveal some of the socio-economic aspects of Bengal
appropriately.”
Prof. Subrata Ganguly,
Department of Commerce, University of Calcutta.
Based on his thesis, the book entitled
From Feudalism To Capitalism – A Case Study Of Agrarian West Bengal,
1920-1980 earned rave reviews in Papers and Journals of repute.
Here are just
two excerpts :
“The author has superbly delved on
picturisation of fundamental realities during the transition period of
1920-1980. It has been seen that most of agricultural development depends on
the support of the government in the form of writing off taxes and grant of
various subsidies to the farmers. The author has also exposed the impact of
depression on industry and agriculture in the early period of transition. His
research on the subject matter is supported by a painstaking field study of
various statistical aspects and their significance has been included as the
most vital source of study to authenticate the views taken by the author to
make the sound revelations about cultivation in West Bengal which shows good
interest for the scholars of agriculture in the country. The book serves the
purpose of an important reference work for the scholar of socio-economic
studies of West Bengal. For his painstaking efforts, the author deserves all
accolades of laudation.”
Indian Book Chronicle.
“The present set up was described by
Bakshi as ‘feudocapitalist’, where the capitalist trends were making their
appearance slowly but steadily….Bakshi said that feudalism was practied till
independence but it coexisted with fragmentation of land, indebtedness and
pauperization of cultivators swelling the number of landless labourers, all of
which were capitalistic features.”
Business Standard.
Manas Bakshi has so far published more
than fifty articles in Editorial/Op-Ed. pages of The Statesman, The Telegraph
and some leading Bengali Papers like Pratidin, Ekdin and some others on topics
of socio-economic relevance ranging from Land Reforms to Banking, from Middle
Class Mindset to Kolkata’s beggars.
His poems and articles have been
broadcast on AIR several times. It is worth-mentioning, here, that ETV kindly
gave due coverage on his profile as a scribe and poet in its Hello India slot.
Dr. PV Laxmi Prasad has edited a book “Exploring
New Horizons: Myriad Dimensions in the poetry Of Manas Bakshi” containing
thirty articles by poets and critics of eminence in evaluation of Manas
Bakshi’s poetical works which, brought out by Authors Press, Delhi in 2017 has
been highly applauded.
The second edition of Manas Bakshi’s
acclaimed book of poems “Man of the Seventh Hour”, explicated by Dr. Ramesh
Chandra Mukhopadhaya, edited by Dr. Dalip Khetarpal and brought out by The
Poetry Society of India in 2019 has earned plaudits deservedly.
An M.Phil dissertation entitled ‘Manas
Bakshi: A Contextual Study of his Poetry’ by Alisha Vandna Lakra has been
awarded by Indian School Of Mines, Dhanbad.
Dr. Bakshi has featured in ‘Studies on
Six Indian Poets in English’ 2012 edited by K. V. Domnic as one of the six
poets highlighted therein.
He has published scores of critical
essays and book reviews in Newspapers and Journals of repute dwelling on the
works of Baldev Mirza, Mahasweta Devi, P.C.K. Prem, K.V. Dominic, Anil K.
Sharma, T.V. Reddy, K.V. Raghupathi, C.L. Khatri, S.L. Peeran, V.V.B. Rama Rao,
Rita Nath Keshri, P. Raja, Dalip Khetarpal, Poonam Dwivedi, M.S. Venkata
Ramaiah, K. Rajamouly, D.C. Chambial, O.P. Arora and others.
He has participated in several literary
seminars and conferences.
Poetry apart, Dr. Bakshi’s short stories published in Newspapers and Journals of repute have drawn acclaim from readers and reviewers. And he is included in ‘A Journey From Within To Beyond’- A Bunch of Short Stories Culled From Different Cultures, 2018 edited by K.V. Dominic.