Abrar A. Mattoo
Influenced by Dr. Sir Mohammad Iqbal, the famous poet of the east, Maria Altaf, hailing from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has penned down her debut book, titled “Mercuric Desires”. The book is a collection of thirty-five poems, all in English.
Maria says that she has always been drawn towards writing, and then when she found Iqbal, the poet of the east, she was encouraged to jot down her own thoughts.
“I have been hooked on writing since my school days. I used to read on a spectrum of topics, but Iqbal’s spiritual poetry found its way into the deepest dells of my heart. His poetry influenced me a lot and with the passage of time and with the support of my parents, I began to jot down my own poems,” Maria said while speaking with Kashmir Despatch.
Some of the poems in Maria’s book have also been written by her cousin sister, Masooda Bashir, therefore, the women also shares the title with her. The book has been published by Leiper Publication, a self-publication house based in Kashmir, and has received positive reviews at the since its launch.
Maria is currently studying to become a doctor in coming years, but despite her busy study hours, she says that she has never failed to keep her tryst with the written word.
“I have always been encouraged to write. My parents, friends, and relatives; everybody appreciated my writing. So it’s always been a plus for me. My teachers have been a good support to me as well,” Maria added further.
Maria believes that parental support is elemental in helping modern young women follow their dreams.
In Mercuric Desires, Maria has highlighted the beauty of Kashmir in particular. Additionally, out of devotion to her family, she has penned down poems on her mother and some on her grandmother as well.
While talking to Kashmir Despatch she said, “I also wrote poems on my dream, and the same is about to come true now.”
Maria aspires to keep producing poetic works and hopes to inspire the young generation to follow the written word.
