Shashikala Kalkar found her true expressive form late in life but her art is shining in her poems, stories and free verses. Her recent published works like ‘Shabd Thode-Arth Gahre’ and Bhawnaon ki GunGun- Shabdon mein Chhalki’ are the latest in her repertoire of publications.

Shashikala Kalkar is an octogenarian Storyteller, Poet and Writer of Free Verse, a path she has passionately pursued for the past eight years.

Kalkar says her inspiration to write is deeply rooted in her daily life. Whether it’s a fleeting moment or a profound experience, she captures what she sees and feels in her surroundings. While she may receive themes or topics for her poems, when it comes to free verse, she prefers to write from the heart, expressing the essence of life and the experiences of the body through her own lens.

She has recently authored two books, each reflecting her creative depth. One belongs to the free verse category, titled,

“Shabd Thode Arth Gehre” (शब्द थोड़े, अर्थ गहरे),

….while the other, “Bhawnao Ki Gungun: Shabdon Mein Chhalki” (भावनाओं की गुनगुन: शब्दों में छलकी),...

…is a beautiful collection of diverse poems.

Over the years, the writer of Bhawanao ki Gungun: Shabdo mai chhalki, Shashikala Kalkar has gained different accomplishments in life. She recalls a trip to Bangalore, where her younger son worked, as the time when she truly began writing poems. During that period, she actively sought out performance venues and participated in open mic events alongside her husband. Her work caught attention when Open Sky Slam interviewed her and shared it on Facebook. Later, at Habitat Studio, a venue known for hosting diverse programs, she met a young woman who interviewed her for DNA, further expanding her reach and recognition.

She also recalls Amrita, the founder of Kreative Minds in Bangalore, who interviewed her twice—once online and once in person during a visit to Bangalore six years ago. Among her works, her poem Patang gained significant appreciation and recognition, leading to the creation of two to three videos shared widely on social media. Shashikala Kalkar highlights that audiences frequently request for ‘Patang’ whenever she performs, reflecting its enduring popularity.

Shashikala Kalkar shares that in 2023, she and her husband were honored by the UBI group, where members pursue diverse creative paths, some write books, others pen poems, and she contributes through her poetry. She fondly recalls how the group’s owner found it remarkable and inspiring that she continues to write poems and tell stories at her age, earning her heartfelt appreciation.

She has received various awards and recognition for her performances, including from the Literary Warrior Group—a large community connecting people from across India and abroad through online events. Recently, she was honored with the opportunity to perform both a poem and a dance at an event hosted by the Military Engineering College. Additionally, she won consolation prizes for her poems on the themes of “Maa” and “Rakhi” submitted to the literary group. Kalkar was also invited by the Roots organisation, managed by an RSS Samiti, to participate in a Ram Navmi celebration. Reflecting on the occasion, she shares that everyone embodies aspects of Ram, and anyone can adopt his personality, as his qualities are timeless and eternal.

Writer and Poet Shashikala Kalkar shares that her interest in drama, debate, speeches, and extempore speaking began in her childhood. However, she recalls that during those days, financial conditions were modest, and opportunities were scarce, making it difficult to access platforms or opportunities to pursue such passions. She describes that time as one rooted in a very middle-class reality, where dreams often had to wait.

Shashikala Kalkar shares that after completing her schooling, she began working to support her family, and soon after, got married, becoming immersed in household responsibilities. She reflects that post-marriage struggles vary for everyone: some face financial hardships, others deal with emotional or physical challenges, and some encounter all at once. Although life’s circumstances left her with little time for personal pursuits, she always carried within her a spark of creativity, a quiet urge to build, express, and create something meaningful.

Kalkar highlights that her creativity found its best expression through the art of making ‘Best from waste’, creating something useful without spending money, as life during those times demanded saving your resources. She shares that while she had a strong command over public speaking and could confidently speak on stage, even spontaneously, writing wasn’t something that initially interested her. Her comfort and talent lay more in articulation through speech rather than pen and paper.

Kalkar says she has explored and contributed to various fields throughout her life. She has done freelance work, held a government job, and engaged in creative pursuits like crafting artificial bonsai, designing cushion covers, and participating in exhibitions. Her artistic interests extended to making napkins and small handkerchiefs, always seeking out something unique and different. A keen shopper, she enjoyed exploring new items and ideas through her shopping experiences, often finding inspiration for her creations—though balancing her time remained a challenge.

Shashikala Kalkar shares that after experiencing various ups and downs in life, she moved to Mumbai at the age of 62. Initially, she spent her days watching the news, but over time, a sense of boredom began to set in. Despite a constant desire to stay engaged and do something meaningful, she found herself with limited opportunities in a new and unfamiliar city.

After some time, she visited the iconic Prithvi Theatre, founded by Raj Kapoor’s father—where she recited her poem “Patang” for the very first time. She fondly recalls that the prizes at the theatre were simple, like a cup of tea, coffee, or a slice of cake. She received a cup of tea, and though modest, that small gesture became a powerful source of inspiration and motivation. It was at that moment she realized that she, too, could write.

She also shares that she often interacts with the younger generation at the studios and organizations she visits. During one such visit to the Habitat organization, she recited three poems—none of which were pre-written. Despite this, her work received warm appreciation. Many presenters remarked that while their poems often centered around love or personal emotions, her pieces stood out for being rooted in information and real-life observations. Their encouragement inspired her to continue writing and performing more frequently.

Once she noticed an advertisement and promptly reached out to the organizer expressing her interest to participate. When asked for a video sample, she shared her performance of “Patang.” Almost immediately, she received an invitation to participate in an event in Kalyan. This performance was met with great appreciation, and the organizers even requested her to create a video that they later featured on their page. This experience further boosted her confidence both in writing and performing.

Following this, Shashikala began exploring storytelling, leveraging her natural creativity and expressive speaking talent. Over time, she performed at various venues and connected with multiple groups and open mic events. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, shifting many gatherings online, she seamlessly transitioned to virtual performances, continuing to share her art with audiences despite the challenges.

Storyteller Shashikala Kalkar shares that she hasn’t focused on writing about specific topics. However, many years ago, she contributed short articles and wrote advertisements for a newspaper. She highlights that her true life into writing began after moving to Mumbai. Prior to that, she had written just a few stories for Navbharat Times in Madhya Pradesh.

She found her inspiration to write by observing others around her who were also writing. Motivated by the diverse topics provided by her writing group, she realized how everyone expresses ideas uniquely. This encouragement led her to author two books, one filled with her poems and the other with free verse. Over time, she has penned around 300 poems and often shared her work by commenting on other poets’ posts, actively engaging with the creative community.

She explains that her poems cover a wide range of topics and are not connected by a single theme. She recalls “Picnic Banao Yaro” as her very first poem, followed by “Patang,” which surprisingly became hugely popular. To her amazement, even today, people often request her to recite the “Patang” poem. She reflects on how a simple kite—a small piece of paper—can inspire deep emotions that are difficult to capture fully in words.

She shares some lines from the poem:

"नीली पीली काली गुलाबी, और ये हरी हरी, आकाश में उड़ती ये पतंगे मस्ती भरी, कभी इठलाती कभी बल खाती, सबके मन को भाती, कभी इठलाती कभी बल खाती, सररर फररर हाथ से डोरी ले जाती।  ऊँचा ऊँचा उड़ती, आकाश में ये आपस में खूब होड़ मचाती, और गली गली हर छज्जे का ये सैर-सपाटा करती, जिधर हवा ले जाती उधर ये उड़ी-उड़ी जाती, फिर कोई देश, विदेश, नदियाँ, दरिया, जात-पात धर्म की सरहद इसे रोक न पाती।  हिंदू मुस्लिम सिख ईसाई, क्या देसी क्या परदेसी, छोटे बड़े अमीर या ग़रीब — सबकी है ये साथी। जहाँ उड़ती फिर कटती, फिर गिरती फिर कटती, कटती तो हिचकोले खाती, काँटों में फँस जाती।  कटी है, कटी है की आवाज़, कईयों को खुश कर जाती। कहने को ये मामूली रंगबिरंगी काग़ज़ का टुकड़ा है, हवा के झोंकों संग कठपुतली सा खिलौना है, पर जाते-जाते सीख हमें अनमोल दे जाती।  गिरना चढ़ना, गिर-गिर के चढ़ना, जीवन चक्र की ये गति न्यारी। चढ़ने पर अभिमान न करना, गिरने पर निराश न होना। काँटों में भी मुस्कराते रहना — यही है सफलता की कुंजी, और मेरे प्यारे दोस्तों, यही है सफलतम जीवन की कुंजी।"

Free-verse writer Shashikala Kalkar hails from Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, a small village, still the same, as it was 80 years ago. She fondly recalls the happiness and joy of her childhood spent there. While facilities were limited compared to today, she believes the pure, natural food they consumed contributed greatly to her lasting good health.

She fondly recalls walking to school with joy and enthusiasm. At the age of eight, her family moved to Indore, where they stayed for a while before relocating to Dhar. There, she continued her studies until the 8th or 9th grade. Later, they shifted back to Indore, but after completing 11th grade, she couldn’t attend college because she was not yet 18. Instead, she began working as a teacher in small schools. Once she turned 18, she secured a job in Bhopal, where she worked for six months before transferring back to Indore. During the 2–3 years she lived there, she also joined a theatre group, driven by her dislike for idleness and her constant need to stay engaged.

After finishing her job each day, she attended night college to continue her studies, though eventually, she was unable to keep it up. Later, after marriage, her academic progress paused despite her having completed her BA and MA degrees. She earned her BA from Gujarat University, where lectures were delivered in Gujarati; she skillfully translated them on the spot to aid her understanding and study. Subsequently, she completed her MA privately, managing her time amidst other responsibilities. Throughout this period, she and her siblings remained committed to ensuring their children received a good education, as they were not able to get it. Reflecting on her life, she gratefully acknowledges that God has blessed her abundantly for the choices she made.

Shashikala Kalkar shares that she often performed whenever opportunities arose, such as hosting social events or participating in dramas. As life progressed, her children married early, allowing her to focus more on her own life. She reflects that moving to Mumbai brought numerous opportunities, helping her step into the spotlight and advance her career. Throughout, she received strong support from her family while working in various roles—including government jobs, private sector positions, freelance work, and marketing. Beyond her professional life, Kalkar is also an avid trekker, having explored 8 to 10 destinations like Kullu, Manali, Kedarnath, as well as places in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Throughout her life, Shashikala Kalkar has faced a wide range of experiences, accidents, injuries, sadness, joy, and happiness. Yet, she always maintains a radiant smile and encourages everyone to do the same. She beautifully shares,

"क्या कहा — आपको हमारी मुस्कान चाहिए?  क्या कहा आपने — कि आपको हमारी मुस्कान चाहिए?  ले लीजिए... क्योंकि हम इसे न किसी से माँग के लाए हैं,  न उधार लाए हैं, न किराए से लाए हैं।  ये तो ईश्वर का दिया हुआ कुदरती तोहफ़ा है —  देने से कम नहीं होने वाला।"

When asked about her role models, Shashikala Kalkar, author of “शब्द थोड़े, अर्थ गहरे,” admits that she has never consciously thought about having any and has always followed her own path. However, influential personalities like Amitabh Bachchan and Lal Bahadur Shastri have made a lasting impression on her. She also mentions learning from various Instagram posts, observing how people from all walks of life take initiative, whether they have wealth or not, and often do things for others. Kalkar emphasizes the importance of living for oneself, noting that solely living for others is unsustainable. At the same time, she believes that contributing to others’ lives is essential, as the karma we create is what accompanies us beyond this world, while material possessions remain behind.

She emphasizes the importance of carrying out good deeds in life while maintaining a pure heart and mind. Whenever people ask her the secret behind her glowing and cheerful face, she shares her simple yet profound approach. Along with walking, exercising, dieting, and taking medicines, she believes the most vital practice is keeping her mind peaceful and clear. This inner calm, she says, reflects outwardly and is the true source of her radiant demeanor.

Shashikala Kalkar fondly shares some of her favorite Mukht Chhand (free verse)

"कौन कहता है “ईश्वर ज़मीन पर नहीं मिलते, बस हम उन्हें पहचान नहीं पाते हैं।  पापा ने मुझे घंटा बजाने के लिए गोदी में उठाया, मैं जान न पाया — ईश्वर तो मेरे पीछे ही खड़े थे।" "प्यार और श्रद्धा में बड़ी ताक़त होती है समर्थवान को झुकाने की, वरना सुदामा की क्या मिसाल — कान्हा से पैर धुलवाने की?" "दो अक्षर का 'लक', ढाई अक्षर का 'भाग्य', तीन अक्षर का 'नसीब' — इसे बनाने में सिर्फ़ और सिर्फ़ चार अक्षर की 'मेहनत' ही रंग लाती है। और इसमें सिर्फ़ एक अक्षर का 'मैं' आ जाए — तो सारी मेहनत बेकार हो जाती है।" "बारिश की बूँदें बड़ी ज़ोर से ज़मीन पर टकराईं, ज़मीन ने बहुत प्यार से पूछा — चोट तो नहीं आई? एक प्यारी सी मुस्कान इन बूँदों के लबों पे आई, बोली — माँ की गोदी में गिरने पर भला किसे चोट आई?"

Shashikala Kalkar believes that having a career is essential to life. She recalls her diverse experiences working in fields like marketing research agencies and insurance companies. In these roles, she had to make numerous calls to convince people to participate in interviews or meetings. For instance, during marketing research, she was often sent to interview doctors. She shares that a single interview could take hours, sometimes waiting two hours due to long patient queues, only to face refusals from tired doctors who were overwhelmed with patients or tests. Similarly, in insurance, she often felt close to a sale, but something would always come up at the last moment, leading to disappointment. Despite those challenges, she kept persevering, as she firmly believes in the saying, “We must rise again after every fall.”

She highlights  that challenges are an inevitable part of everyone’s life. She openly shares her own experiences of facing hardships, getting injured, working even without eating, yet continuing because the work had to be done. Whether at home or in a professional setting, she believes that with genuine interest and dedication, one must be ready to handle all aspects of life.

Reflecting on the pursuit of happiness, Shashikala points out that while many chase after joy, it is actually challenges, sadness, and setbacks that become true companions on the path. She firmly believes these difficult moments ultimately guide a person toward real success.

Shashikala Kalkar observes that today’s generation is incredibly talented and creative, yet they face significant stress around jobs, admissions, and education. She highlights the uncertainty of job security and the challenge of securing admissions. She recalls a touching dialogue where a mother lovingly advises her son:

"अम्मा बोली प्यार से,  बेटा अपने लिए कोई ऐसा फ़ील्ड ढूंढना,  जहाँ आगे बढ़ने में कोई कॉम्पिटिशन ना हो।"  बच्चा मासूमियत से बोला —  "हाँ माँ, एक अच्छा इंसान बनूंगा,  जहाँ आगे बढ़ने में कोई कॉम्पिटिशन नहीं होता।"

She reflects on how, in earlier times, grandparents would share stories, but now everything has changed. Children today simply don’t have the time to listen to those tales. However, she firmly believes that the tradition of storytelling will not end. Though grandchildren may not live with their grandparents or hear stories of kings, angels, or kingdoms in the old way, they now engage with a vast array of real-life inspired stories through platforms like open mic events.

She emphasizes that as time keeps evolving, expecting everyone to live strictly by their own timeline is unrealistic. Instead, it’s essential for everyone to adapt and collaborate to keep pace with change. Adults can learn valuable lessons from children, and children can gain wisdom from their elders.

Concluding her thoughts, she shares that while anyone can borrow ideas or viewpoints, the true essence of writing poems, stories, or free verse lies in expressing those ideas in one’s own unique words. She encourages everyone to write authentically, using their own language and voice.