Sparsh Paul is a writer and poet I've been lucky enough to connect with over on Instagram. He has a fascinating mind that is not afraid to delve into the "dark" to extract the healing, the wisdom for himself and for his readers. Find his writing @bluntsnbooks.
On Childhood As A Foundation For The Now
I grew up in a home full of adventurous artists with a lot of happy memories and experiences. We frequently went on on family trips, especially to the mountains where we hiked and relaxed in solitude—it was like our ritual.
I remember going to amazing events with my family, too. Like to watch a tennis match live between Roger Federer (my all time favourite player) and Rafael Nadal; going to an annual vintage auto expo; and going the air show conducted by the Indian Air Force.
I've always been extremely curious. My penchant for learning new things helped me explore a lot of different areas in my childhood—from roller skating, roller hockey and football to playing classical Indian and Western musical instruments.
I also liked writing essays and reading a lot of novels, fictional mysteries and mythological works to be specific.
Most of my habits and hobbies stuck with me as the years went by, particularly my love for sports, hiking, writing and music.
On Early Expressions Of Creativity
The moment I first expressed my creativity was when I started learning how to play an Indian musical instrument called the 'tabla' at the age of eight years after watching somebody perform.
Around the same age, I started learning artistic roller skating as well. It was fun juggling with different ideas, forms and compositions.
On The Comparison Trap
I definitely identify as an artist today. I fondly remember the onset of my love affair with poetry in first grade when I won a poetry recital competition. Going up on the stage and speaking in front of a huge audience was pivotal in developing a solid sense of self-esteem and confidence.
Although, I have to admit that accepting myself as an artist and being content with my work was a long and bumpy road.
Coming from a family of renowned photographers, I have always been in the company of some brilliant and highly artistic minds but it also meant that unintentional comparison came into the picture (pun intended).
I felt burdened in my head to do great things and live up to my family name, even though I wasn't pressured into anything. I was always told to choose my own calling but it was very hard to get rid of those lingering thoughts and self-created expectations.
On Creation As A Means Of Processing And Freeing The Authentic Self
Creating has helped me process and feel things differently. Playing instruments like the kalimba and guitar began purely out of passion and then they turned into healthy coping mechanisms too.
On the other hand, poetry is something that started as a way of healthy expression and not feeling numb anymore but eventually became an involuntary instinct.
I've always said that I write to feel, not to heal.
Writing has also taught me the importance of being authentic. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I guess that is fairly evident from my poetry. The power of truth is unfathomable. When it comes to things that actually matter, I feel that being honest with yourself and the people around you is essential for introspection and growth.
A Final Word For The Budding Artists
Don't be afraid to express your emotions through art because the best art is often born out of adversity, and I hope you always retain your creative freedom and originality.
