Published originally in Hindi as Aag Ki Hansi, The Laughing Flames and Other Poems accounts Ramdarash Mishra’s medley of poems composed between 2009-2012. The collection displays a unique poetic freshness, landscaped on the fertile soil of human experience. Most of the poems here chant the songs of life and nature in varied ambiences. Without a doubt, the poet celebrates the village life but his empathy with the ‘ruins’ of the city life is on display too. On the one hand, he finds it difficult to conceal his nostalgia for the idyllic rural life and on the other; extremely troubled by the negative vibes of contemporary urban life. Taking a dig at the modern man and his cultural values, The Laughing Flames exposes the faultlines of the market economy and the resultant alienation of humanity from her roots. Deeply reflective and contemplative, The Laughing Flames calls for a painstaking re-examination of our (new) beliefs, choices, systems and values.