Dr. Sweta Kumari

Author Interview with Dr. Sweta Kumari by Tamikio L. Dooley

Coffee Talk Poetry Blog Interview

Tamikio L. Dooley:  Do you drink coffee? What is your favorite drink during the morning, afternoon, and night? What is your favorite breakfast?

Dr. Sweta: Thank you Tamikio L. Dooley for having me in conversation today. Absolutely! Morning starts with strong black coffee. It’s like my fuel for creativity. Afternoons often bring me back to tea or a light herbal drink to recharge. Nights are reserved for simply water or tea if needed so my thoughts flow gently into writing. My favorite breakfast- Nothing beats chilla with curd- simple, wholesome, and energizing.

Tamikio L. Dooley:  Share your title with the world. What is the title of your bestselling, award-winning, or current book? Talk about your books, works, websites, and pages.

Dr. Sweta: I proudly wear the titles of Poet, Editor, Interviewer, Film Scholar and Cultural Activist. My words breathe in poetry and creative works that explore life and the very human spirit. Till now, I have 15+ books to my credits including Symphony of Words, Polyphony of Women's Odyssey, Efflorescence: A Florilegium of Humanity, Nature and Peace, Snaps of Scintillating Souls, Ek Sangharsh: Kavya Sangrah, Incentive, Badalte Pehlu: Vol. 1, and Voices From The Society (Volumes I and II).  I have also co-edited several anthologies such as Feminera: A Celebration of Women Poetry, Lockdown-14, and Wings of Poesy: Poetry Anthology of INNSÆI International Lit Fest, Goa, 2022. In the field of academic publishing, my editorial work includes the research volumes Women and Cinema: Feminist Film Theories in Praxis (2024) and Literature and Arts for Peace and Humanity: Research Papers Presented in the INNSÆI Lit Fest, Goa 2022 (2023). Nevertheless, my current book Symphony of Words: A Poetic Collections is close to my heart, it weaves stories in verse that resonate with everyday emotions. Each poem in this collection serves as a lyrical thread in a larger tapestry, echoing universal truths while celebrating the uniqueness of individual perspectives. From the fierce resilience of Mother Earth to the soft strength found in a mother’s embrace, from the serene silence of moonlit nights to the radiant joy of sunlit affection, these poems mirror the emotional spectrum of life with both elegance and intensity. Representing a mosaic of cultures and experiences, Symphony of Words: A Poetic Collections brings together poetic voices from Australia, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Croatia, India, Italy, Kenya, Kurdistan, Macedonia, Mauritius, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, Serbia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. The more of my works, updates can be found on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/14LjqMQwU1b/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sweta-k-751537154

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweta.shines?igsh=cmlob2Q5ODFzNHpt

Twitter: x.com/sweta_shines?t=s6eoLevqPf2DK4V15RLRuA&s=09

Tamikio L. Dooley:  What are your views, opinions, and outlook on writing in the twentieth century? 

Dr. Sweta: Writing today is vibrant and fearless and has given writers freedom to experiment with voice, style, and identity. It’s no longer about fitting into a box; it’s about breaking the glass ceiling, opening and sharing truth with honesty to the world. In fact, writing in the twentieth century is more about bold experimentation and creative freedom, reshaping the way stories are told. In the twenty-first century, voices once silenced are finding space, and technology has transformed the reach of storytelling, allowing writers to publish, connect, and inspire globally. The outlook for today’s writers is one of endless possibilities; genres blend, boundaries blur, and expression becomes as much about healing and connection as about art. To thrive, writers should read widely, experiment courageously, embrace vulnerability, and nurture their unique voice. Writing is no longer just a craft but a bridge- linking people, cultures, and experiences, reminding us that stories are not only to be written but to be shared, felt, and lived.

Tamikio L. Dooley: Who is your favorite author or poet? Share a book title, a piece of their work, and why the publication inspires you.

Dr. Sweta : Rabindranath Tagore is my favorite poet. His book Gitanjali speaks to me deeply, not only for its lyrical beauty but also for its spiritual depth. I admire how his words transcend time and space, reminding us that literature is eternal and that the world without humanity cannot survive. His verses are simple yet profound, carrying universal truths about love, nature, devotion, and the human soul. What inspires me most is his ability to weave poetry that feels both personal and cosmic, intimate yet infinite.  My poem titled ‘Where Does the Soul Find Peace?’ is inspired from Tagore’s celebrated poem ‘Where the Mind is Without Fear.’ His works teach me that true writing comes from honesty, courage, and vulnerability, and that every word has the power to awaken the reader’s heart. Gitanjali continues to remind me that writing is not merely an art but also a form of prayer and service to humanity, a way of connecting to the divine within ourselves and others. His vision reminds that every writer, in their own way, carries the responsibility of nurturing empathy and truth in a world that often forgets its soul.

Tamikio L. Dooley: What is your favorite genre to read and/or write?

Dr. Sweta : Without hesitation, I would say Poetry. I could recognize that for the first time I truly could express myself in poetry. It’s not just writing, it’s breathing. Poetry captures the smallest details and the grandest emotions all at once, giving language to what often remains unspoken. It allows me to pour out my thoughts with honesty, to shape feelings into rhythm, and to turn silence into meaning. In poetry, I find both freedom and discipline- the freedom to explore new images, emotions, and truths, and the discipline to distill them into words that carry weight.

What I love most is how poetry connects the personal with the universal. A single verse can hold an entire world; a few lines can touch hearts across cultures and generations. Writing poetry feels like holding a mirror to the soul, while reading it feels like holding someone else’s truth in my hands. It is a genre that teaches me attentiveness; to words, to emotions, to life itself. Poetry, to me, is not only a form of literature but also a way of living, a reminder that beauty, truth, and humanity are always within reach if we choose to see them.

Tamikio L. Dooley: What advice would you share with new and established authors? What advice would you give to the world about reading and writing?

Dr. Sweta: Be confident in what you write. Every voice matters, and the world need yours. And above all, be an avid reader, because every book you open is a door to imagination, empathy, and growth. To new and established authors alike, remember that writing is a journey, not a race. There will be moments of doubt, but trust that your words have value, even when the world feels silent. Write with honesty, vulnerability, and courage, for it is in your truth that readers will find their reflection. Do not fear mistakes or rejections- they are stepping stones that sharpen your craft and deepen your understanding of yourself as a writer. To the world, my advice about reading and writing is simple; treat them as acts of both self-discovery and connection. Reading expands your mind and opens your heart to perspectives beyond your own, while writing allows you to leave a piece of yourself for others to discover. Together, they create bridges between people, cultures, and generations. In a world often divided, reading and writing remind us of our shared humanity. So, embrace the pen and the page, the story and the silence, because within them lies the power to change lives beginning with your own.

"I had the pleasure of inteviewing the talented poet and interviewer herself Dr. Sweta Kumari." ~Tamikio L. Dooley~ Author and Coffee Talk Poetry Blog Interviewer