Book Review: ‘Light and Line Drawings’ by Vidya Shankar and Sangita Kalarickal

Book Title: Light and Line Drawings
Author(s): Vidya Shankar and Sangita Kalarickal
Publisher: Adisakrit
Number of Pages: 134
ISBN: 8196717733
Date Published: Mar. 22, 2026

Book Review

There are some distances that maps cannot measure. Between two people, two continents, or two inner worlds, distance can create silence—but poetry can turn that silence into conversation.

“Light and Line Drawings” by Vidya Shankar and Sangita Kalarickal is born out of such a conversation. A sensitive collection of more than sixty poems, the book explores nature, love, loss, friendship, resilience, and the private landscapes of the self. Written by two poets living on different continents, the collection shows how words can cross geographical and emotional boundaries and create a space where two distinct voices can meet.

One of the most striking features of the collection, apart from its beautiful line drawings, is its use of two voices. The poems respond to, question, and connect, making the book feel like an ongoing conversation between the two poets. Nature is also an important part of the collection. Images of light, seasons, trees, journeys, and landscapes help the poets explore memory, ageing, love, change, and loss.

The title reflects these ideas—“light” suggests hope, healing, and understanding, while “line” suggests connection, distance, writing, and the space between people. The jointly written title poem, presented as a haibun and a “camino” or journey towards light, brings together the book’s ideas of travel, connection, and hope.

Another strength of the collection is its honest treatment of emotions. Vidya Shankar and Sangita Kalarickal do not show friendship, love, or life as perfect. Their poems also speak about absence, uncertainty, pain, and vulnerability. At the same time, the collection does not stay in sadness. There is a quiet sense of hope and strength running through the poems.

The writing may feel uneven at times because the poems differ in voice, mood, and style. However, this variety also makes the collection interesting, as it shows two different poets sharing their thoughts and experiences. The poems are best read slowly, giving each one time to connect with the next.

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In the end, “Light and Line Drawings” is a thoughtful and touching collection about connection—between people, places, memories, and nature. Vidya Shankar and Sangita Kalarickal turn physical distance into a meaningful conversation through poetry. Their personal experiences become reflections that many readers can relate to.

The collection will especially appeal to readers who enjoy quiet, thoughtful poetry, poems written through collaboration, and works that find hope even in times of loss.

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