Editorial - Prachya Review https://prachyareview.com Wed, 04 Dec 2024 03:04:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://prachyareview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-LogoBlue-32x32.png Editorial - Prachya Review https://prachyareview.com 32 32 Editorial December, 2024 https://prachyareview.com/2024/12/01/editorial-december-2024/ https://prachyareview.com/2024/12/01/editorial-december-2024/#respond Sun, 01 Dec 2024 17:51:24 +0000 https://prachyareview.com/?p=46536 As the guest editor for this issue of Prachya Review, I am honored to present a vibrant tapestry of poetry, fiction, and artwork. Reviewing the submissions was both a privilege and a challenge, as each piece offered a unique voice, perspective, and artistic sensibility. The poetry in this issue ranges from the intimate to the universal, […]

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]]> As the guest editor for this issue of Prachya Review, I am honored to present a vibrant tapestry of poetry, fiction, and artwork. Reviewing the submissions was both a privilege and a challenge, as each piece offered a unique voice, perspective, and artistic sensibility.

The poetry in this issue ranges from the intimate to the universal, exploring themes that resonate deeply with the human condition. Each poem invites readers into a space of reflection, evoking emotions that linger long after the last line.

The fiction contributions are equally compelling, showcasing narratives that challenge, surprise, and move us. From evocative short stories to imaginative prose, these pieces reveal the power of storytelling to connect us across boundaries of culture and experience.

The artwork interwoven throughout this issue serves as a visual counterpart to the written word, offering a fresh lens through which to experience creativity. The artists’ works bring new dimensions to the themes explored in the texts, creating a harmonious dialogue between mediums.

As an editor, I was struck by the courage and vulnerability of the contributors who shared their work. It takes bravery to offer one’s art to the world, and the strength of these voices reminds us why literature and art matter so profoundly.

I extend my gratitude to the Prachya Review team for their trust and support and to the readers who make this endeavor meaningful. May this issue inspire, provoke, and delight you as much as it has me.

Happy reading!

Carl Scharwath

Contents:

Poem by Duane Vorhees

Poem by Shirley Smothers

Poems by Heymy Patino Martinez

Poems by Marieta Maglas

Poems by Irma Kurti

Poem by Anila Bukhari

Poems by Maria Evelyn Quilla Soleta

Poetry and Art by Pallavi Jain

Poetry & Art by JC Williams Cassia Williams Rogers

Poem by Mahzuna Habibova Aʼzam

Poem by Joan McNerney

Poem by Herb Kitson

Poem by Dennis Williams

Poems by Stephen Mead

Poem by Shodiyeva Mehribon Amin

Collab of flash fiction, poem and artwork by David B Axelrod

Collab by Mike Turner & Melinda Hicks

Story by Simon A Smith

Story by Kevin B

Flash Fiction by Steve Saulsbury

Story by Lobar Rustamova

Photo essays, Prose & Poem by Brian Michael Barbeito

Artworks by Biagio Fortini

Artworks by Katie Hughbanks

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]]> https://prachyareview.com/2024/12/01/editorial-december-2024/feed/ 0 Editorial April, 2024 https://prachyareview.com/2024/06/09/editorial-april-2024/ https://prachyareview.com/2024/06/09/editorial-april-2024/#respond Sun, 09 Jun 2024 17:24:35 +0000 https://prachyareview.com/?p=46368 As Prachya Review embraces the theme of green—symbolizing growth and renewal—the selected poems, stories, and artworks vividly capture this motif. The story tells a journey from grief to renewal that parallels spring’s arrival, embodying life’s rejuvenation. Flash fictions explore themes of love, possibility, personal growth, and confidence, each promising new beginnings in sync with spring. […]

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As Prachya Review embraces the theme of green—symbolizing growth and renewal—the selected poems, stories, and artworks vividly capture this motif. The story tells a journey from grief to renewal that parallels spring’s arrival, embodying life’s rejuvenation. Flash fictions explore themes of love, possibility, personal growth, and confidence, each promising new beginnings in sync with spring. The poems reflect on loss, love, death, struggle, and trauma- all intertwined with nature’s cycle. Artworks convey profound messages, emphasizing that art speaks volumes even without words.

These pieces celebrate green’s significance in fostering physical, mental, and spiritual growth. Just as spring revitalizes the natural world, these narratives inspire readers to embrace their own journeys of healing and transformation, echoing the lush, renewing essence of green.

Images used for the stories and poems are AI-generated.

Editorial Board: Shafinur Shafin and Nrutyangana Mahapatra 

PR Head: Ian Craven

Contents:

Prose:

“Spring is Hope” by Meenakshi Gogoi

“February” by Rituparna Mukherjee

“Greening Up” by Sreelekha Chatterjee

Translated Story:

“The chakra” by Mahrin Ferdous translated by Rajib Mahmud

Poetry:

Poems by Ann Iverson

Poems by Helen Finney

Poems by Shruti Sareen

Poems by Dee Allen

“Cherry Blossom” by Lucas Zulu

“Despair” by Hanh Chau

“Leaves” by Tina Meeks

“Amorous Glow” by Md Mujib Ullah

“Recognition” by Peycho Kanev

“Again” by Sheila E Murphy

“November Nova” by Ed Brickell

“Green Grow” by John Grey

Artwork:

Artwork by Cynthia Yatchman

Artwork and Poem by Irina Tall

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]]> https://prachyareview.com/2024/06/09/editorial-april-2024/feed/ 0 Editorial December, 2023 https://prachyareview.com/2023/12/28/editorial-december-2023/ https://prachyareview.com/2023/12/28/editorial-december-2023/#respond Thu, 28 Dec 2023 18:04:52 +0000 https://prachyareview.com/?p=46232 As we step into the new year, we are going through different human experiences. People from different countries are sharing their feelings through their creative works. It’s like their stories are threads weaving together to create a rich tapestry. In 2023, big political changes are happening around the world. World is observing suffering and loss […]

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As we step into the new year, we are going through different human experiences. People from different countries are sharing their feelings through their creative works. It’s like their stories are threads weaving together to create a rich tapestry. In 2023, big political changes are happening around the world. World is observing suffering and loss of innocent lives in Ukraine and Palestine. The poems we recieved for this issue particularly showed concern about the war-horror. Authors explore the feelings of longing for the past, missing home, and wanting to belong through their writings. This issue is dedicated to those who have suffered because of war. We really wish for a world where the sad echoes of war can be replaced by a more peaceful understanding and unity, like a beautiful song made of words. Let’s make this year about telling all kinds of stories, where every voice, no matter where it comes from, adds to a bigger story of love and strength. Together, let’s dream of a future where things are calm and we can all feel connected as part of humanity.

Images used for the stories and poems are AI-generated.

Editorial Board: Shafinur Shafin and Nrutyangana Mahapatra 

PR Head: Ian Craven

 

Contents:


Stories


Half Burnt Legs by Takbeer Salati

It’s Haunted by Zeke Jarvis

Nothing but facts by Rifat Mahbub

Poetry

Poem by Moin Serneabat

Poem by Allan Lake

Poems by Lopamudra Basu

Poems by Shakhawat Tipu

Poems by Ndaba Sibanda

Poems by Moumita Alam

Poetry Biographies by Mickey J Corrigan

Poems by Sayantani Roy

Poem by Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

Artwork

Artworks of Mario Loprete

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]]> https://prachyareview.com/2023/12/28/editorial-december-2023/feed/ 0 Editorial September 2023 https://prachyareview.com/2023/11/01/editorial-september-2023/ https://prachyareview.com/2023/11/01/editorial-september-2023/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 17:56:34 +0000 https://prachyareview.com/?p=46071 Love, a universal muse, has long graced the pages of literature with its enduring presence. Like the ink that flows from a writer’s pen, love spills across the parchment of human experience, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape. As we explore the literary terrain of love, we bear witness to the spectrum of […]

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Love, a universal muse, has long graced the pages of literature with its enduring presence. Like the ink that flows from a writer’s pen, love spills across the parchment of human experience, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape. As we explore the literary terrain of love, we bear witness to the spectrum of human emotion, from the ecstasy of first love to the bittersweet nostalgia of love lost. Love’s complexities and contradictions unfold, revealing the intricate layers of the human heart. Within the realm of literature, love acts as a reflective surface, offering comfort during collective tribulations and joy amid collective achievements. It gently prompts us to acknowledge our capacity for benevolence, understanding, and empathy. It’s universal, touching people of many eras and backgrounds and showing them how closely we’re all related emotionally. We’re going to talk about the deep and timeless theme of love in this issue of our literary magazine. Our contributors have drawn a beautiful image of love in all its shades through poetry, prose, and other forms of art. In these writings, you will find love’s power to heal, transform, and inspire, echoing through the voices of our talented contributors. We invite you to immerse yourself in the captivating narratives and evocative poetry that explore the profound theme of love.

Poetry Editor: Shafinur Shafin

Assistant Prose-Editor: Nrutyangana Mahapatra 

Other Editors: Ian Craven and Anika Shah

Here are the contents as follows:

Poems:

Poems by Bruce Mcrae

Poems by Kashiana Singh

Poems by Oindri Sengupta

Poems by Lawdenmarc Decamora

Stories:

Alternative Masculinity by Nandini Sahu

Seamstress by Richard Stimac

Translation:

Odia Poems by Manoranjan Sahoo in English Translation

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]]> https://prachyareview.com/2023/11/01/editorial-september-2023/feed/ 0 Editorial April 2023 https://prachyareview.com/2023/05/02/editorial-april-2023/ https://prachyareview.com/2023/05/02/editorial-april-2023/#respond Tue, 02 May 2023 18:36:45 +0000 https://prachyareview.com/?p=45937 We opted for a themeless approach for the first issue of Prachya Review in 2023, anticipating an overwhelming number of submissions. We received over 70 submissions, which made our task of selecting pieces quite challenging. However, we thoroughly enjoyed reading the diverse collection of poems and stories. We found in this issue’s poetry submissions poets […]

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]]> We opted for a themeless approach for the first issue of Prachya Review in 2023, anticipating an overwhelming number of submissions. We received over 70 submissions, which made our task of selecting pieces quite challenging. However, we thoroughly enjoyed reading the diverse collection of poems and stories.

We found in this issue’s poetry submissions poets explored universal experiences through poetry, including migration, protest, loneliness, and moving on. Poetry is still important for conveying our feelings and motivating action in a world where these issues persist. The stories narrate the importance of prioritizing human connection despite our busy schedules and singular focus. Building strong bonds with others through friendship, family, or community service can fill our lives with immeasurable satisfaction and significance. We also exhibit a street photography series that shows different angles of life.

So let’s make an effort to connect with the people around us by reaching out to them, listening to them, and showing them that we care.

Poetry Editor: Shafinur Shafin

Assistant Prose-Editor: Nrutyangana Mahapatra 

Other Editors: Ian Craven and Anika Shah

Here are the contents as follows:

Poems:

Poems by Banoo Zan

Poems by Edward Lee

Poems by Fayeeza Zareen

Poems by Glen Armstrong

Poem by J M Summers

Poems by Joseph A Farina

Poems by Scott Thomas Outlar

Poems by Shikha S Lamba

Poems by William Allegrezza

Stories:

Someone Like Him by Alex Rafael Encomienda

Lonely Sunday in Paris by Eduard Schmidt Zorner

The Divorce by Kanchana Priyakantha

Billy and the Priest by Luke Beling

Apple by Nabanita Sengupta

The Irrational Belief by Sreelekha Chatterjee

Essay:

Derozio’s Underrated Contribution to India by Mozid Mahmud

Translation:

Odia Poems by Sudhir Kumar Meher and Translated by Pitambar Naik



Artwork/Photography:

Street Photography by Brian Michael Barbeito

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]]> https://prachyareview.com/2023/05/02/editorial-april-2023/feed/ 0 Editorial December 2022 https://prachyareview.com/2022/12/31/editorial-december-2022/ https://prachyareview.com/2022/12/31/editorial-december-2022/#respond Sat, 31 Dec 2022 18:46:35 +0000 https://prachyareview.com/?p=45804 At the beginning of 2021, Prachya Review took a break from publishing. Our time away has allowed us to refocus and become stronger. Almost two years later, our world has also endured many trials and faced radical changes. Resuming publication meant finding the strength to persevere through the trials of life and overcome obstacles. With […]

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]]> At the beginning of 2021, Prachya Review took a break from publishing. Our time away has allowed us to refocus and become stronger. Almost two years later, our world has also endured many trials and faced radical changes. Resuming publication meant finding the strength to persevere through the trials of life and overcome obstacles. With this idea in mind, we chose “Eye of the Tiger,” as our next theme, which captures the spirit of determination and is pertinent to the current global crisis following the Covid-19 pandemic. Our experience has been a journey of transformation that continues to impact us. When the trial is endured, there is a birthing of the new so that you can never stay the same. For this reason, we reintroduce ourselves to you with our brand-new website. 

Thank goodness, we also received a ton of submissions from people who had experienced losses and overcame them. Most of the poems used metaphors to describe a nihilistic view of life. This provided us with valuable insight into the way people were feeling, and a sense of hope, in spite of suffering, that people are able to rise above. Stories like “Faded” give off a nostalgic vibe, and with every word written, you can feel like the protagonist in the story. 

For the first time, Prachya Review has published a play, “Pluto’s Litter Box,” which is a well-narrated script that could be performed as an act and transformed into a short film. “The Wheel Gun” is a story that has a very strong gesture, and the words are fierce as the story needs it to be. The dialogue is very clear and specific. The story, titled “Kali”, has some touches of Indian culture with the simplicity of the words and the characters.” 

“Spiraling into Darkness” is a personal journal of the writer, depicting the background and events leading up to the clinical depression, the experience of the clinical depression itself, and how she got better, all of which are described in this nonfiction prose. Literature and art can be powerful tools to bring about social change, influence the emotions of people, and even lead people to recover from trauma. Privateer shows an inner scream in her art. With her artwork, Ann Privateer aimed to bring awareness to the struggles of depression, emphasize the importance of self-care, and with the color-expression, she shows readers that recovery is possible.

And with all these contributions, Prachya Review is served with Dedication, with a new beginning. Happy New Year Reading!

Contents

Interview:

Interview with M L Ruscsak

Proses/Fictional Works:

Kali by Nishi Pulugurtha

Faded by Maggie Nerz Iribarne

The Wheel Gun by Ed Ahern

Spiralling into Darkness by Shruti Sareen

Plutos Litterbox a Modern Take on Hades Persephone by Travis Turner

Poetry:

Poems by William Doreski

Poem by Maid Corbic

Poems by Pratibha

Poems by Aldo Quagliotti

Poem by Rajorshi Patranabis

Artwork:

Ann Privateer’s Arts

*Cover Image: “Tiger”, an oil painting by Franz Marc

Editors: Anika Shah, Ian Craven, Shafinur Shafin

Assistant Editor: Nrutyangana Mahapatra

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]]> https://prachyareview.com/2022/12/31/editorial-december-2022/feed/ 0 Editorial June 2020 Issue https://prachyareview.com/2020/06/27/editorial-june-2020-issue/ https://prachyareview.com/2020/06/27/editorial-june-2020-issue/#respond Sat, 27 Jun 2020 20:08:24 +0000 https://www.prachyareview.com/?p=43024   The world has always identified with heroes and villains. Heroes are glorified with good while villains are identified as being completely evil. When I think of heroes and villains I am reminded of Marvel and DC comics. Such heroes represent the kind of character we strive to attain inside ourselves. The villains in our […]

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The world has always identified with heroes and villains. Heroes are glorified with good while villains are identified as being completely evil. When I think of heroes and villains I am reminded of Marvel and DC comics. Such heroes represent the kind of character we strive to attain inside ourselves. The villains in our lives could be acquaintances, friends that betrayed us or never liked us or even ourselves. After all, we are our own worst enemy. Jordan Peterson said, “You won’t do what you tell yourself to do. You must have noticed that. It’s like You’re a bad employee and a worse boss. And both of those work, you know, for you. You don’t know what to do and then when you tell yourself want to do you don’t do it anyways. You should fire yourself and find someone else to be.” Youtube Video: “Life Advice Will Change Your Future (Must Watch) Feb. 19, 2018 Heroes and Villains are also essential to the nature of our existence. People love and hate, argue or disagree and then make war. When a villain creates devastating circumstances anyone may find themselves in need of a hero. In our world today we face Covid 19 as our villain and essential staff that work at hospitals, health service, rescue team, stores or restaurants are being called “Heroes.” Before we knew anything about Covid 19, Prachya Review chose the theme Heroes and Villains. In this publication we consider the characteristics that create a villain or hero. In what ways might you see yourself as a villain or a hero. As you read this publication think of what side of line you are standing on. Do you play the courageous hero to save those you love most and deny yourself, treating yourself as a villain? Or do you struggle to treat people justly and make yourself out to be a villain? Chances are we all have a heroic and villainous side to us. How can you be challenged to be a better hero for yourself and society?

POETRY EDITOR : SHAFINUR SHAFIN (BANGLADESH)

PROSE EDITOR: IAN CRAVEN (US), ANIKA SHAH (BANGLADESH)
PROSE CO-EDITOR: NAYMA AFREEN (BANGLADESH)

Poery Co-Editor: Roshan Morve

Cover design: Fahmina Israt (Canada-Bangladesh)

Content:

Poems

POEMS BY ROBERT RENÉ GALVÁN

POEMS BY JOHN GREY

POEMS BY BUSAMOYA PHODISO MODIRWA

POEMS BY WILLIAM RULEMAN

POEMS BY GAVIN BOURKE

Stories

WAIST DEEP BY HAYDEN MOORE

BLUE DESIRE BY LYDIA SANDERS

UPWARDLY MOBILE BY ABHIJIT CHAKI

Flash Fiction

GRAND PRIZE GAME BY TRAVIS TURNER

Translation

English Translation of Rainer Maria Rilke and Alfons Petzold

Book Review

POETRY BOOK REVIEW BY PAUL THOMPSON

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