Writing has always been a quiet space….

Rachna Singh is a writer and the Founding Editor of The Wise Owl, a literary and art magazine. Her versatile body of work spans six books across diverse genres, from poetic musings to the complexities of bitcoin and the inspiring tales of extraordinary women in her acclaimed book Phoenix in Flames. Her latest, Waiting for the Divine, is a captivating memoir of Raghu Rai, the visionary photographer who is hailed as the father of Indian photography. Singh’s other books include Penny Panache: Piecing the Economic Puzzle, Financial Felicity: Making Sense of Money Matters, Myriad Musings and The Bitcoin Saga: A Mixed Montage

A student of literature, Singh was awarded the Nehru Centenary Scholarship to pursue a doctorate at Cambridge University, but a whimsical fate took her to the Indian Revenue Service instead, where she served for 30 years. Driven by an irresistible call of the Muse, she took early retirement to fully embrace her passion for writing.

You’ve had a fascinating creative journey as the founder Editor of The Wise Owl and as the author of “Waiting for Divine – Raghu Rai,” which was one of the notable books from South Asia in 2024. Could you tell us about the early influences or experiences that shaped your artistic sensibility and set you on this path?

RS: My father served in the Army and was often posted to remote, little-known corners of the country. At times, there were no children of my age to play or converse with and that is when I discovered the boundless world of books. I was lucky that every army cantonment my father was posted to had a good library housing books of different genres.

I read whatever I could lay my hands on- Enid Blyton, classics, comics, and magazines such as Champak, Chandamama, and Parag. Occasionally, I even ventured into the pages of Gulshan Nanda and Barbara Cartland. By the age of twelve, I had already read Chekhov and Tolstoy, thanks to the beautifully illustrated and affordable Russian publications available at that time.

My parents, both avid readers themselves, nurtured my love for the written word. The highlight of my Sundays was a visit to the bookstore, where I would eagerly choose a new comic or book. Whenever my father returned from an official tour, his suitcase was invariably laden with books for me. He also encouraged me to write a short piece every day on any subject that caught my fancy. That simple exercise became the foundation of my writing discipline and craftsmanship. In school, I was appointed Editor of the magazine, and from there, my journey toward literature seemed almost inevitable. As a young woman, I opted for English (Hons), completed a Master’s and a Doctorate in English Literature.

Even after joining the Civil Services, I never allowed my passion for literature to fade. I continued writing short pieces for newspapers and magazines, finding joy in the interplay of words and ideas, so different from the legal and financial issues I dealt with as a part of my day job.

Over time, the pull of creativity grew stronger, and I eventually took voluntary retirement from the Services to dedicate myself completely to the pursuit of literature and art. Looking back, I realize that every book I read, shaped the path I walk today — a path illuminated by the quiet, enduring power of words.

You have been a Civil Servant. What drew you towards writing, and how has it evolved as your chosen form of expression?

 RS: Writing has always been a quiet space where I could reflect, dream, and make sense of the world around me. Even during my years in the Civil Services, surrounded by the rigour of administration and the demands of public life, I would often turn to writing as a form of solace and self-expression.

The service gave me a ringside view of life. I met people from all walks of society and absorbed countless stories. Writing allowed me to give voice to what I saw and felt. — to capture the human spirit in its quiet resilience. ‘Phoenix in Flames’ is, in fact, a collection of stories that I was privy to and which left an indelible imprint on my heart.

My initial published work was in the nature of simple musings and short pieces, on an array of subjects, for newspapers and magazines. I also reviewed books on a regular basis for a few National dailies. However, I soon realised that although newspapers and magazines provided an extensive platform to showcase my writing, the shelf life of such writings was limited. So I began toying with the idea of writing a book. My first two published books, ‘Myriad Musings’  and ‘Penny Panache’ were a collection of my published Middles and articles.  My subsequent books, ‘Financial Felicity & The Bitcoin Saga’, like ‘Penny Panache’ before it, tapped into my expertise as a taxwoman.

When I decided to take voluntary retirement and turn to writing and editing, it felt like a natural transition — a return to something that had always been waiting patiently within me. Writing offered me a kind of freedom that no structured career could. It allowed me to explore, to observe, to celebrate the subtle rhythms of life.

Today, I write not just to tell stories but to understand them — to understand people, moments, and emotions that connect us all. Writing, for me, is more than just an act of creation; it’s an act of living.

 How did Waiting for Divine – Raghu Rai come about? What inspired the collaboration, and how did the creative process between text and image unfold?

RS: I was introduced to Raghu Raiji’s work by accident, nearly three decades ago when I was still a schoolgirl. The Bhopal tragedy had just shaken the nation, and India Today carried a ten-page photo spread capturing the devastation of that industrial disaster. Among those haunting images, one photograph left an indelible mark on my psyche; a child lying lifeless in the rubble, with a mother’s hand gently caressing the face in a final farewell. That image, both heartbreaking and profoundly human, marked the beginning of my deep admiration for Raghu Rai. From that day on, he became an indispensable part of my personal gallery of icons.

In 2022, destiny brought me face-to-face with him. A friend introduced us for an interview to be featured in The Wise Owl. The conversation was meant to explore the inspiration behind his art and creative process, but it unfolded into something much deeper; a luminous dialogue filled with insights on life, creativity, and spirituality. It left a lasting impact on me; in truth, it was transformative.

I wanted to share his inspiring journey and the extraordinary vision of an artist who sees the divine in the everyday, with the rest of the world. When I approached him with the idea of collaborating on his biography, he graciously agreed. And that’s how ‘Waiting for the Divine’ was born.

Tell us about the story behind ‘The Wise Owl’. What inspired its creation, and how did you envision its role in the literary and artistic landscape?

RS: Like I said before, Literature and writing have always been intrinsic to who I am. Even during my years as a civil servant immersed in the complexities of tax administration, I continued to nurture my love for the written word; reading voraciously, reviewing books, and contributing creative pieces to national dailies. Over time, I also began writing books across multiple genres, each one deepening my engagement with literature.

However, I gradually realized that getting published, whether in newspapers, magazines, or through mainstream publishers, is not easy. Many talented poets and writers struggle to find the right platform to showcase their work. That realization became the seed for The Wise Owl, an inclusive platform that straddled geographical boundaries and where both emerging and established voices could be heard.

What began as a modest digital magazine has now evolved into a vibrant publication available in both digital and print forms. The journey wasn’t easy; those early years were full of challenges, but today ‘The Wise Owl’ has a loyal community of readers and contributors from across the world.

Under its aegis, we also host Literary Soirées and Studio Talks, conversations that bring poets, writers, and artists together to share their creative journeys. To further celebrate literary excellence, we have instituted The Wise Owl Literary Awards, where an independent jury of established writers recognizes outstanding books in the segments of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.

As we prepare to release our 50th edition, I look back with gratitude and pride. What began as a small initiative has grown into a thriving literary movement, one that continues to honour creativity, inclusivity, and the enduring power of words.

Balancing the roles of publisher and writer can be quite demanding. How do you navigate between the two, and in what ways do they enrich or challenge one another?

RS: You are absolutely right when you say that balancing the roles of publisher and writer is a challenge. The writer in me yearns for solitude, quiet hours when words flow freely, unshaped by deadlines or editorial demands. The publisher and editor, on the other hand, lives in a far more stressful world of schedules, submissions, and the responsibility of nurturing other voices.

There are moments when these roles lock horns with each other. The writer longs for creative abandon, while the publisher is constrained by structure and deadlines. But there is also an upside to this. Being a writer helps me approach the work of a publisher with empathy. And being a publisher constantly exposes me to fresh perspectives and experimental forms that, in turn, enrich my own writing.

So, while the balance is never perfect, it is deeply rewarding. The two roles, rather than competing, have come to coexist in a kind of creative symbiosis—each sharpening, softening, and ultimately deepening the other.

“The Wise Owl” has earned admiration for its inclusivity and global reach. What drives this commitment to featuring diverse voices and literature from around the world?

RS: From the very beginning, ‘The Wise Owl ‘was envisioned as a space without borders, a confluence of voices, cultures, and creative expressions. Literature, after all, is about shared experience that unites us all.

Our commitment to inclusivity and diversity comes from a deep belief that stories and poetic musings grow richer when they are told from many perspectives. Each voice adds a different hue and texture to the tapestry of global literature.

What drives me most is the conviction that every writer, regardless of where they come from or the language they write in, deserves to be heard. ‘The Wise Owl’ seeks to amplify those voices, whether they are emerging, marginal, or unconventional, that might otherwise be lost in the din. In doing so, we are trying to build not just a magazine, but a literary home where empathy, curiosity, and creativity are celebrated without boundaries.

 Looking ahead, what is your vision for ‘The Wise Owl’? How do you see it evolving in the changing landscape of digital publishing and global readership?

RS: ‘The Wise Owl’ was born in the digital space, so it has always been in step with the world’s expanding frontiers of online publishing. The digital realm, in fact, made this platform a meeting ground for voices from across the globe.

Our vision for ‘The Wise Owl’ is to continue nurturing that spirit of global connection. As we move forward, I hope ‘The Wise Owl’ will soar higher, bringing together an even wider circle of writers, poets, and artists who believe in the transformative power of words and images.

I like to think of it as a growing constellation—each new voice a star that adds its own light to the literary sky. And as our community expands, we hope to make our magazine more inclusive, empathetic, and vibrant in this ever-evolving global landscape.

 After years of creating, curating, and nurturing art and literature, how do you view the role of creativity in your life today?

RS: In my younger years, I felt that creativity was something I had to pursue, a poem or story I had to write, a skill I had to hone. But with time and with the maturity of age and experience, I’ve come to see that creativity is not confined to the act of making; it is the quiet pulse that animates everything.

Whether I am reading a submission for ‘The Wise Owl’, conversing with a fellow writer, writing a book or an article or simply watching the myriad moods of the sun, I find that the creative spirit is always present—whispering, nudging, reminding me to look closer and feel deeper.

In many ways, creativity has ceased to be something I do; it has become something I live. I think I’m sounding a bit pompous here, but that’s what I feel.

 What message would you like to share with emerging writers and artists?

RS: To every emerging writer and artist, I would say: be patient with your journey. The creative path is rarely linear; it meanders, pauses, and sometimes doubles back on itself.

Write with honesty, not for applause. Create because you must, because something within you insists on being heard. The world may not always listen, but keep going. Read widely, live deeply, and observe the world without being too judgmental.

And above all, remember that art is an act of connection. When you write a poem, paint a canvas, or tell a story, you are reaching out across time and space to another soul who might one day find solace or joy in your words. That, to me, is the quiet magic of creativity—and the reason we must keep creating, no matter what.

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