We recently connected with Lalit Kumar and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lalit, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The publication of my latest book called ‘Yosemite of My Heart, Poems of Adventure in California’ earlier in the year 2024, has been a deeply meaningful project for me. In this book, I not only explore the lush outdoors of California, but also explore the inner journey of personal growth and rejuvenation that go hand-in-hand with outer exploration in the physical world.
This book is borne out of the various experiences that I have had over the years, which has taken me Hiking in the
Redwoods, Mountaineering in Mt Whitney & Mt. Shasta, Motorcycling through the cities of San Francisco & Sausalito,
Kayaking in Channel Islands, Skiing in Tahoe, Horse Riding in Half Moon Bay, and various other adventures. Undoubtedly,
California has an abundant playground with landscapes ranging from mountains, deserts, islands, meadows, lakes, rivers to
ocean, providing a lavish palette of colors for every poet to experiment with the different strokes on his canvas.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a writer and adventurer at heart. I write a regular column in ‘India Currents magazine’ sharing my passion for adventure and travel. My innate sense of curiosity for life’s myriad experiences has taken me skydiving, rock climbing, skiing, motorcycling, horse riding, water rafting, scuba diving and participating in Triathlon events. Combining these experiences in lush California Outdoors with California’s rich literary heritage led to my latest book, ‘Yosemite of My Heart, Poems of Adventure in California’ which was released earlier in 2024 at San Francisco Writers Conference. The book captures the narrative of personal transformation through adventure and outdoors in poetry form.
My first book, ‘Years Spent, Exploring poetry in adventure, life and love’ garnered a good reception and it was featured among top 3 in poetry genre by Book Life/Publishers Weekly in July 22, 2022 edition.
The goal of my poetry and writing is to inspire others to seek personal transformation and rejuvenation through outdoors and adventure. My work emphasizes the universal longing for adventure and the transformative power of Nature & exploration. I bring my blend of experiences as an Adventurer and travel writer to bear forth in my art.
Down the road, I would like to help and motivate more people to discover, learn and experience the joy of outdoors and adventure sports by building a like-minded community.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The goal of my writings and poetry is to inspire others to seek personal transformation and rejuvenation through outdoors and adventure. My work emphasizes the universal longing for adventure and the transformative power of Nature & exploration. I bring my blend of experiences as an Adventurer and travel writer to bear forth in my art.
In addition to my writings, in order to realize this goal in a more concrete sense, I am also working towards building a supportive community of outdoor enthusiasts and adventure sports lovers who can fall back upon each other while going rock climbing or skiing or mountaineering.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I believe that artists and creatives are inherently driven to express themselves via their respective art forms, be it in the form of writing, poetry, visual arts. The most rewarding aspect of my muse of being a writer is the inner fulfillment and satisfaction that comes after seeing the poems or articles in print – out in public. Appreciation from critical readers is another reward in itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lalitkumaronline.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalitk06/
- Other: https://indiacurrents.com/author/lalit-kumar/
Image Credits
Lalit Kumar