From the solitude life of Nashik in India to the bustling life of London exploring his skills as a Writer, Deven Ahire has not only seen different sides of life but created them in a separate universe as a poet. Beginning his poetic journey at the impressionable age of 15, Ahire has published and written numerous poems in 2 collections and 2 upcoming books. His journey and makings into a poet are as interesting as his poetry and his experiences find an expression that is driven by channelling his emotions and the unsaid emotions of many others.
Originally from Nashik, India, Ahire moved to Pune for his high school and further education, where he penned his first poem in the monsoon of Aug 2010 amidst the loneliness and tumultuous memories of his childhood. This marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for poetry as a means to spell his emotions he found difficult to share with those close to him. On being discovered and encouraged by one of his friends, Ahire published his debut collection of poems, “Transparent” at the age of 15. His naive and unfiltered mind captured the essence of a one-sided love affair that resonated deeply with his readers. Though the book saw limited distribution, it found a lasting place in the hearts of those who encountered it. At the same time, it was also a milestone in boosting the confidence of young Ahire and a major contributor towards what he became today. Despite the passage of time, “Transparent” continues to resurface in the lives of old acquaintances, serving as a poignant reminder of Ahire’s early poetic endeavors. Coming from the heart of a teenager, “Transparent” is also a poignant record of the pure thoughts and feelings that are universal for a person of that age group.
In many ways, “Transparent” was a milestone in Ahire’s life. From the discovery of his creative genius to laying the foundation for the future poetry collections, “Transparent” is also like a defining moment in the poetic career of the author who found further creative outlets following this.
Ahire’s academic journey led him to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology from Pune, further enriching his understanding of the world and humanity’s place within it. As he says, these degrees have also helped him understand the human mind and heart more closely, which is reflected in the maturity of his writing from a longing teenager to a clear-headed man. His literary influences are as diverse as his interests, ranging from the romanticism of Pablo Neruda and Hafez of Shiraz to the profound philosophies of Kafka, Camus, Nietzsche, and Sartre. His poetry, often written in multiple languages including Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, and English, is a testament to his multicultural appreciation and deep emotional introspection.
Growing up in a household where emotions were seldom spoken about, Ahire found solace and freedom in poetry. His verses are intense, rebellious, and aggressive, reflecting his journey of unlearning the emotional restraint of his upbringing and are balanced with a writing that comes from his heart and flows naturally through his pen. This uncorrupted honesty is particularly evident in his erotic poetry, which he began exploring in 2014. His latest collection, “Pheromones” (Nov 2019), is a bold and illustrated work that delves into themes of shame and authenticity, challenging societal norms, encouraging emotional liberation and self-love. It is this heart-to-heart with the readers and transparency in an explicit manner that makes Ahire an authentic poet who does not shy from speaking his mind or heart.
Ahire’s exploration of mental health through poetry led to his poem “A Piece of Peace” being featured by The Institute for Experimental Arts in Athens, Greece. His academic background in Psychology plays a significant role in his work, offering a nuanced perspective on human emotions and conditions. In addition to poetry, Ahire has ventured into filmmaking, believing that the audio-visual medium is a powerful way to bring poetry to a broader audience in today’s video age. It is evident that all of Deven’s creativity stems from his poetry in the fact that he recently had the chance to develop one of his poems titled “Ghosts of London”, into a film titled “London, Punjab (2022) which was also officially screened at the Cannes Film Festival (2023). This film explores the impact of India’s partition on a love story set in London, drawing from both personal and historical narratives.
Currently, Ahire is working on a new collection of poetry titled “Underwater Volcanoes,” exploring the theme of timeless love across lifetimes, and another inspired by his recent nomadic journey across Portugal, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and India, titled “The Fruit of The Cactus.” This journey profoundly transformed him, infusing his work with cryptic wisdom and ancient knowledge.
Ahire’s poetry speaks to those who seek to breathe deeply and aspire ascension. It is for the dreamers, the feelers, and those who strive for transcendence. It is also for those who want to experience emotions in true and raw form untouched by any superficiality or exaggeration. His work is a vessel for raw, honest emotions, a bridge connecting the depths of human experience with the broader cosmos.
While Ahire may be all grown up and mature now, his act of writing became his lifeline, a way to release the weight of his emotions and express himself in ways he couldn’t to those around him. Poetry, for Ahire, is more than just an art form; it is a doorway to his soul. Ahire states in his discussion that sharing his feelings or opening up to those close to him has never been easy, but poetry eases the process and lets the emotions flow freely. Whether it is bottled-up feelings from his childhood or understanding the situations of the others in today’s world, for him, poetry is a means to connect with others on a profound level, to share the human condition of loneliness, love, and emotional struggle. It is his way of coping with the complexities of life and helping others do the same. His poetry is a vessel for raw, honest emotions, a bridge connecting the depths of human experience with the broader cosmos.