Tell Me, Please…: A Review by R. K. Singh

[Chauhan, Abnish Singh. Tell Me, Please…. New Delhi: Authorspress, 2025. ISBN 978-93-6095-309-6. Paperback, 96 pp., Rs. 295. Available on Amazon: CLICK LINK]

Abnish Singh Chauhan, Editor, Creation and Criticism' and Poorvabhas, recently shared with me his latest poetry collection, Tell Me, Please…. I have known the poet-professor for over a decade for his commendable publications, both in English and Hindi, in areas as diverse as Applied Language Teaching, ELT/ESL, Translation, Literary Criticism, Short Story Writing, and Poetry. Abnish is a recognized name in Hindi 'Navgeet'. His new poetry book is highly readable.

As a poet, Abnish writes simple verses, weaving deep emotional themes with vivid imagery, exploring the complexities of human nature and living today. His lyrical simplicity and rhythm creates an engaging reading experience, inviting readers to reflect on their own emotions and feelings. Also, he frequently assimilates elements of personal introspection and philosophical inquiry that resonate on multiple levels.

Abnish Chauhan collects 51 poems in Tell Me, Please…. He makes some honest admissions, sincere observations, and sharp comments on the current urban and rural values, attitudes, and norms of behaviour. A couple of poems in the volume, though written in English, sound like translation from Hindi-- the rhythm, the tone, the style, and even the context. This may be possibly because Abnish has been very active as a poet, translator, and critic in Hindi literature? However, I am not entirely certain of this.

All the same, his new poetry collection significantly adds to the growing body of Indian English Literature. Highly recommended.

About the Reviewer:

Prof. R. K. Singh (b. 31 Dec. 1950, Varanasi) earned his M.A. in English from BHU (1972) and Ph.D. from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith (1981). He began as Compilation Officer, Lucknow, and journalist with PTI, New Delhi, before teaching at Royal Bhutan Polytechnic. Joining the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, in 1976, he rose to Professor and Head of Humanities, retiring as Professor (HAG) in 2015. Singh has published 46 books, 160+ research articles, and 175 reviews; his works feature in 180 anthologies. Contact: profrksingh@gmail.com.