February brings transformation and renewal, much like the Pierrot butterfly—our theme for this edition. As we take flight into another vibrant issue of The Wise Owl, we bring you a mix of literary and artistic gems that reflect change, resilience, and creativity.

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Our interviews this month feature two extraordinary personalities. Radhika Iyengar, author of Fire on the Ganges, shares insights into the lives of the Dom, the corpse burners of Benaras. We also speak with Dutch fine artist and portrait painter Bianca Berends, whose brushstrokes capture human emotion with striking clarity.

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In Talking Books, we engage with Anand Gokani, a doctor-turned-writer, on his book A Fistful of My Sky, reflecting on his experiences as a young medic in the small town of Jawhar, where medical resources are scarce but the human spirit remains indomitable.

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Poetry remains the heart of The Wise Owl. This edition features poetic nuggets of poets from across the globe, each offering a unique lyrical perspective. Our fiction segment is equally rich, with evocative stories. Meanwhile, Sangeeta Deshpande’s travelogue takes us on an enthralling journey, uncovering places and perspectives that linger long after the last word. For our review lovers, we explore the poetry collection A Blur of a Woman and analyse Squid Game Season 2, examining its gripping narrative.

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Finally, we announce the shortlist for The Wise Owl Literary Awards! Congratulations to all the poets and writers shortlisted—your work has enriched the literary landscape. Our gratitude to the esteemed jury for evaluating nominations from publishers across India.

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As we spread our wings into this edition, we invite you to immerse yourself in its pages, let words take flight, and embrace transformation.

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Happy Reading!