Kaviru Samarawickrama
My book collections
Walking in blind
Jan, 2018
26: Stories, people, poetry
Mar, 2022
Peculiar Feets
Forthcoming Collection
of Poetry
Who am I, really?
Kaviru Samarawickrama is a Sri Lankan poet, artist, and author. Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Kaviru began her artistry at a very young age. She first began performing poetry in 2016 under the "Colombo Poets" platform where she developed confidence in her skills and became aware of her ability to heal wounded souls through words. In her later years, she continued performing spoken-word poetry under the platform, "House of Grace" organized by the brilliant poet and friend, Grace Wickremasinghe.
Through Grace's words of motivation, Kaviru published her first collection of poetry "Walking In Blind" in January 2018, which included poetry she had written since her childhood under four themes of life, love, broken bridges, and fantasy, which is available on the Amazon platform to purchase as paperback or ebook versions.
She then published her second collection of poetry "26:Stories,People,Poetry" in May 2022, in an effort of telling the untold stories of the wounded souls around her. This collection was published as an e-book both on Amazon and Barnes and Noble platforms and the audiobook was published on Spotify as her first release of audio spoken-word poetry.
Kaviru's future work includes working on her third collection of poetry "Peculiar Feets" (with a pun on feets) which writes on controversial topics such as abuse, critical illness, gender, and personal identity, patriachy, and much more.
Kaviru finds refuge in dealing with trauma and misfortune through both forms of healing, painting and writing. Her energetic and spontaneous personality has always been a catalyst through which inspiration is later born in her poetic compositions.
While she has a masters degree in Technology management from University of Staffordshire, the author has not let that stop her from tapping into her creative side. Throughout her career, a number of her spoken-word poetry contributions have been published in online magazines in the hope that her powerful message that "you are not alone" can reach people from around the world. Her message is innately influenced by her own experiences as well as those of others around her.
What's her early childhood like?
Kaviru was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a beautiful island near India. During her school years, she attended Bishop's College in the center of Colombo. While growing up, she enjoyed painting, writing, playing chess, making DIY projects, and secretly playing with imaginary friends! Since a young age, she has always been drawn to the artistic path and has always been inspired to think outside the box.
How did she come into writing?
She was more fascinated by creativity as a child, despite her skills in drawing and painting only improving with age. In order to express herself creatively, she would attempt to do so. As a result of enviously looking at her sister's poetry, she started writing poetry at the age of twelve, and her skill continued to improve over time. She always spoke about wanting to publish her own book and in 2019, she finally published her first collection of poetry after years of struggling. In May 2022, she published her second poetry collection as a continuation of her first.
What inspires her in creating poetry?
At the start she would write her thoughts at 3am but over the years she developed a ritual that she would follow when she created poetry. Her new and upcoming poetry tackles more controversial topics. As a result, her ritual includes more research into the poem's topic, along with being in the zone to write peacefully. A few spoken-word poets who inspire her are Emi Mahmoud, Sarah Kay, Sabrina Benaim, Asia Samson, Andrea Gibson, and Blythe Baird, who write with purpose and envision to change the world.
What is she working on now?
The purpose of Kaviru's writing is to provide more challenging and controversial viewpoints on a variety of topics such as rape, marriage, queerness, local politics, and phobias which will be evident on her third poetry book "Peculiar Feats". Her new unreleased collection "Peculiar Feats" is a gleeful reference to strange feats, achievements of strange origins. The third book by the author is about peculiar feats that many people undergo throughout their lives, trials of the cross-eyed and misadventures of the bold. This collection of poems contains the voice of many who have gathered emotional strength to speak out and live a life free from torment and worry.
Testimonials
Muditha De Silva
Founder of Elegant Magazine
A beautiful, pragmatic and heartwarming collection of poetry. Much related yet unspoken affairs of the society is captured by the author.
Devika Brendon
Content Editor of New Ceylon Writing
Her poetry portrays a multitude of voices, showcasing people speaking their inmost thoughts. As they express their truths, they illuminate a series of contemporary n+1 conundrums, exposing a range of responses to the mirages and miasmas of this world, in which
we seek so much. Each person
may feel isolated, but their words chime with each other, with exquisite freshness, showing the music in our everyday lives.
Semal Luthra
Co-founder of HomeTree Coworking
The poetry speaks to you, like you have been able to go into the inner world of another, and hear the whispers of their heart. In these whispers you find your own story reflected, and the common experience of humanity shared. Yes we are not alone, and this book is an amazing reminder of that.
Vihanga Perera
Author and Editor
Innocuous to the untrained eye, but with enough force to shake up one's home, hearth and hang out club.
Kaviru Samarawickrama's first book launch for the poetry collection Walking In Blind was held at Sooriya Village, Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 2019. The official photographer's Impulse.inc photography took stunning images of the event.
Devika Brendon was invited to be the Chief-of Guest.
Asela Abeywardene was invited as an esteemed guest as her artworks appeared on the Walking In Blind poetry book.
Suchith Fernando was invited as the host of the evening.
Minnelli Abeyratna was invited as a speaker to talk about the Author's childhood.
Chamel Shavindha together with Suchith Fernando and Chandali Hewage played music at the end of the event.
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@that_tragedyy
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@kavirusamarawickrama3114
get in touch
authorkaviru@gmail.com