In this engaging DocScopy interview with Dr. Hemalatha, conducted by Dr. Nirainila Joseph from MedBound Times, we explore her dual passions for dentistry and writing. A graduate of Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Dr. Hema Latha is not only a dedicated dentist but also a prolific Tamil poet.
She shares her journey as a writer, discussing her deep love for Tamil literature, her favorite poets, and the creative process that fuels her poetry. She also talks about her aspirations to expand her literary work beyond poems and into other languages, as well as her interest in incorporating dental themes into her writing. Dr. Hemalatha highlights how her dual passions for dentistry and writing complement each other, offering a unique perspective on how these two fields intertwine in her life.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Have you ever published your poems or won awards for your poetry works? If so, please elaborate on them.
Dr. Hemalatha: Yeah, I did publish my poem about Kaatru (the breeze) in a monthly magazine called E.chuvadi, in which I have symbolised women as the air, which explains her roles in other people's lives and her wish to be independent, but also how she seamlessly lives in a cage made by society.
I also worked as a co-author in an anthology named "Ninaikka Marantha Manitham," published by Yappu Publications. This poem explains humanity, which is almost forgotten today.also illustrates the sad reality that the act of humanity is used to gain followers and viewers on social media.
I am planning to release a short story book that contains six short stories, all of which explain modern-day loneliness and its bright as well as dark side.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: With such a deep connection to the language and its literary traditions, it must be rewarding to share your work with a broader audience. Could you tell me about your Instagram page dedicated to Tamil poetry? What inspired you to start sharing your poetry on this platform?
Dr. Hema Latha: My Instagram page for tamil poetry is @kavithai_mozhiyal. The meaning of the name is poetrical language. I have been sharing my tamil poetry since 2021. Even though I started writing in childhood, I always had a fear of social acceptance and shyness. On the other hand, I wanted to show my work to the world, so I used the free social platform available at that time. The reason I did this was that posting it publicly would push me to be more consistent and disciplined, and it would reach a vast audience of poets and publications. I have received so much feedback from poets, which has helped me shape my skills. I have also received many opportunities from publications.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: How has the response been from your followers on Instagram? What kind of interactions or feedback do you receive?
Dr. Hema Latha: The response has been overwhelmingly positive! People seem to appreciate and love my poetry. I'm learning and improving every day, and I'm grateful for all the interactions I've had so far with my followers. Some people are noticing every small detail and appreciating my improvement in terms of knowledge and they really notice the new perspectives I bring to my poems.
I had the opportunity to interact with lyricists from the Tamil cinema industry; they really appreciated my interest, and they gave me some feedback to improve my style. They often suggested that I read some books.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: It's great that you've received such valuable feedback from established lyricists in the Tamil cinema industry. Reading is often considered essential for writers to hone their craft and broaden their perspectives. How has reading influenced your journey as a poet?
Dr. Hema Latha: Learning new words and new perspectives is important for writers, and reading is one of the most common ways to do that. Reading similar kinds of books as you write gives you an idea of how to express yourself and what to say.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Do you have a favorite genre of books or specific authors that you enjoy reading?.
Dr. Hema Latha: Yes, I enjoy reading Tamil literature, self help books, crime novels. I am a fan of Coolen Hoover, Sydney Sheldon, James Clear, Bharathiyar, Kalki and Na. Muthukumar.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Could you recommend a book or two that you believe every dentist or any person in general should read ? What makes these books valuable in your opinion?
Dr. Hema Latha:
Emotional intelligence: Just like IQ, learning about your emotional intelligence (EQ) is also very important. Learning about your own emotions and feelings creates awareness so that you can control them for a better future.
Atomic habits: A book that will teach you how to do things and save time, a wonderful book that gives evidence-based techniques to improve our productivity and also helps in time management.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Thank you for those book suggestions. Besides Tamil poems, do you explore other forms of writing? Also, many poets express themselves in multiple languages. Have you ever considered writing poetry in other languages alongside your Tamil work?
Dr. Hema Latha: I am currently focusing on Tamil poetry. Also, in the future, I am planning to write novels, storybooks, and Tamil language research books. Even though my mother tongue is Tamil, I am still learning new words in Tamil.
Language is not a barrier; art itself is a language. Then and there, I write a few poems in English too. I am also writing blogs in English. Sometimes translating a poem word by word will destroy the essence, so not much of a translation person. I am also learning English and Hindi.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: You've mentioned that you have a blog in English. What inspired you to start it, and how does your background in dentistry influence the content? What topics do you most enjoy writing about on your blog?
Dr. Hema Latha: While working in a dental clinic, I had the opportunity to meet many people, and I realized that most people who are educated and have vast knowledge in other fields have very little awareness regarding their dental health and dental treatment procedures. As their dentist, I explain it in detail for them, and I thought if it was on a website or blog, it would be helpful for other people too. Also, the content in my blog 'Health and Asthetics for Everyone' is heavily based on my patients's queries, and the information is something I think everyone should know about dentistry.
I aspire to create qwareness of various dental procedures. There are many myths and fears among people regarding dental procedures. As a dentist, it is my duty to educate and guide the patients towards the right procedure. Productivity is one of my favorite topics to read and write about. There are really some productivity tips and techniques that really help us save more time.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Looking ahead, where do you see your poetry journey heading in the future? Are there any specific goals or projects you hope to pursue?
Dr. Hema Latha: Publishing as many books as possible is the obvious goal, but I want to do it in a way that preserves the nature of the Tamil language, gives entertainment, and also improves the quality of people's lives. My specific goal is to bring reading and writing Tamil books to children. Unfortunately, it is true that many Tamil children today are not learning and speaking Tamil as fluently as previous generations. I believe that by working together with both parents and schools, I can create change.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Do you have any plans to expand the content of your blog or poetry archive to include other topics or mediums, such as videos or podcasts?
Dr. Hema Latha: Yes, I am planning to expand my poetry and blog in video and audio form. Videos and podcasts are more simplified and easily accessible forms than poems, and they will reach largest number of audiences.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: With your ambition to publish Tamil books and expand into video and audio formats, are there any specific challenges you face in balancing your dental career with your passion for writing?
Dr. Hema Latha: Time management is one of the most challenging things about being a health care worker. I work nearly 12 hours a day, so finding time to read and write is a task for me.
Dr. Nirainila Joseph: Thank you, Dr. Hemalatha. It's been a pleasure learning about your unique journey. We wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors, both in opening your new dental clinic and in your continued writing. As a final question, what advice would you give to fellow artists who are juggling their creative pursuits alongside demanding professional commitments?
Dr. Hema Latha: In the initial phases, don't try to be perfect. Keep your professional commitments first priority; but don't lose touch with art. Use it as a medium to relieve your stress. Start with whatever knowledge or tools you have. We can always learn in the process. Don't be shy, people care much less about us than we think.
MedBound Times expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. Hema Latha for sharing her valuable insights on our platform.