Ameet Unnithan, a 38-year-old finance professional and amateur poet, lives and works in Dubai, UAE. His writing journey began during his high school and college years in Kerala, India, after completing his early education in Dubai. Inspired by the serene landscapes of Kerala, Ameet’s inquisitive nature fueled the creation of his initial writings.
His works explore a wide range of topics, delving into the complexities of the human experience across varying settings of life. Currently, Ameet is seeking avenues to share his poems while working towards publishing his first anthology soon.
An Interview with Ameet Unnithan
The Literature Times: How do the landscapes of Kerala and the urban environment of Dubai influence your poetry?
Ameet Unnithan: Both Dubai and Kerala represent contrasting cultural and lifestyle touchstones in my life. Dubai, with its urban landscape, is teeming with untold stories. The city is a melting pot of immigrants from all over the world, Interacting with people from diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds has greatly expanded my perspective and deepened my understanding of life.
In contrast, Kerala serves as my comfort zone, where the natural beauty plays a crucial role in nurturing my creativity. I have always found it easier to put my thoughts into words when I am in Kerala, as its serene environment provides the perfect backdrop for reflection and writing.
The Literature Times: What sparked your interest in writing poetry during your school years?
Ameet Unnithan: During my high school years, I began exploring the works of Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Douglas Malloch, and other classical poets. I was captivated by how these literary figures skillfully embedded profound messages and philosophies into their writing, demonstrating the power of concise, carefully chosen words. This fascination led me to start keeping a diary to record and reflect on my own thoughts and subsequently into the writing poems.
The Literature Times: How does your career in finance impact your creative writing process?
Ameet Unnithan: The analytical nature of finance brings a sense of discipline to my creative process. Writing, much like my work in finance, requires patience, dedication, and constant revision. The idea of taking something rough and refining it to perfection is a process common to both realms.
Yet, there’s definitely creative freedom in poetry that is the antithesis of finance’s structured world. Writing allows me to break free from all constraints and embrace emotion and imagination, offering a release from the precision and logic of my professional life. This duality—of structure and freedom, of analysis and creativity—forms the basis of my writing process, enriching both my work as a finance professional and my poetry.
The Literature Times: Can you share a poem or theme that reflects a key moment of personal growth?
Ameet Unnithan:
Way
The faint trails
I find,
of mighty Tuskers,
who have walked
before me,
is the only solace
I keep,
on this arduous path
I endure.
– Ameet Unnithan
I had penned the above poem during a particularly difficult phase in my life, I have revisited this poem time and again, as it reminds me to take a broader look at the adversities we face in life and keep unconditional faith that the situation will change for the better. The poem highlights the universal nature of adversities and the timeless persistence of human spirit in having overcome them and succeeded.
The Literature Times: What role does nature play in your poetry?
Ameet Unnithan: Nature, is a powerful catalyst, helping to evoke the right mood or create an apt setting for a poem’s essence or message to unfold. It is this aspect that often draws my poems to include natural elements.
“Parch” and “Autumn Passing” are examples where natural elements are interwoven with the idea and picturization. In ‘Autumn Passing’, parallels are drawn between the passing of memories and the falling of leaves in Autumn, whereas in ‘Parch’, the natural setting serves to set the mood and tone of the poem.
The Literature Times: What has been the most challenging part of preparing your first anthology for publication?
Ameet Unnithan: The most challenging part has been in selecting poems, as a poet, it becomes a test to filter poems that best reflect my style and message. There are poems that are emotionally charged and others that are inspired and hold a message, the overall tone and mood must be well balanced and not polarize the readers. The assortment must appeal to a diverse reader base.
The Literature Times: Do you write poetry for personal expression, or do you aim to address universal themes that resonate with others?
Ameet Unnithan: In my view, while a general theme may be identified, each poem is experienced and interpreted uniquely by every reader. My poems are also personal expressions of universal themes, yet I strive to craft them in a way that is layered, allowing readers the freedom to interpret them in their own way. I believe in an approach which invites individuals to draw their own conclusions and find their own connections, making each reading experience distinct and personal.
