In a literary landscape where poetry often tends to tread familiar paths of love, longing and nostalgia, SK Muskan Tabasum dares to disrupt the rhythm. Her newly released poetry collection, Kaliyuga on My Curls, offers an unflinching, layered and deeply human portrayal of the world we inhabit—a world teetering between chaos and clarity, conflict and compassion.
This very inquiry forms the beating heart of her book—a fearless exploration of the human condition in its most raw and unfiltered form. Through poems that speak of social injustice, gender biases, inner conflicts, mental health and the politics of relationships, Kaliyuga on My Curls becomes more than just a poetry collection. It becomes a mirror held up to society, reflecting what we so often refuse to see.
Tabasum’s voice is fresh, young and unapologetic. Her poetry does not romanticise suffering, nor does it shy away from confrontation. It urges readers to examine what lies beneath the surface of seemingly mundane realities. From power dynamics within homes to the unspoken pain of societal expectations, her poems stretch across personal and political terrains with equal fervour.
One of the most striking elements of the book is its treatment of “Social Anxiety”—not merely in the clinical sense, but as an overarching theme that defines our collective consciousness today. In Tabasum’s universe, Social Anxiety becomes the anxiety of speaking out, of being different, of defying norms, of being vulnerable. It is the subtle unease that permeates everything—from how women wear their hair, to how nations go to war. Her title itself, Kaliyuga on My Curls, is a poetic metaphor suggesting how the age-old weight of societal decay rests even on the most personal and intimate parts of one’s identity.
The collection also delves into themes of war—not just on battlegrounds, but within families, minds and communities. Her verse often reads like a quiet rebellion, especially when speaking about gender roles. In one particularly poignant poem, Tabasum writes of a girl “whose womb is weighed heavier than her dreams,” laying bare the plight of countless women conditioned to conform. But in that same breath, her words rise like a tide, creating space for resistance, resilience and rebirth.
In today’s time, where instant gratification often dilutes depth, Kaliyuga on My Curls stands as a welcome reminder that poetry still holds the power to provoke thought, evoke empathy and ignite change. SK Muskan Tabasum joins the ranks of bold, contemporary poets who are unafraid to challenge the status quo through the written word.
This is not a book meant to be skimmed. It is one to be returned to, line by line, thought by thought. Each poem is a thread in a much larger tapestry of what it means to be alive—especially in an age like Kaliyuga.
For readers seeking something meaningful, something courageous and something beautifully uncomfortable, Kaliyuga on My Curls offers just that—and more. It is not merely a collection of poems, but a necessary conversation. And SK Muskan Tabasum is a voice we should all be listening to.
