“I dreamed of going to the Moon, and one day it was possible. I’m sharing that dream with some of the artists, authors, musicians, and filmmakers whose work I love. Together we are the Artists on the Moon, and The Lunar Codex is the collection of works in our lunar time capsules. …It speaks to the idea that, despite wars, pandemics, and climate upheaval, humankind found time to dream, time to and create art. Our hope is that future travelers who find these time capsules will discover some of the richness of our world today…” ~ Dr. Samuel Peralta, Lunar Codex
It only happens once in a blue moon.
I’m thrilled to update that my poems “River of Songs” (I-IV) from my poetry collection “Bare Soul” and my poetry film “River of Songs” will now travel to the moon on two separate NASA missions in 2022 and 2023.
The poem “River of Songs’ included in the “Nova collection” of the Lunar Codex (time capsule) will launch with the June 2022 SpaceX / Intuitive Machines Nova-C lander mission to Oceanus Procellarum on the Moon.
The short film “River of Songs” has been included in the Polaris Collection, Lunar Codex Time Capsule, to go to the moon in 2023 with the SpaceX / Astrobotic Griffin lander / NASA VIPER rover mission to the Lunar South Pole.
I can’t be happier.
What made the selections of my poems and poetry film going to the Moon possible?
The lunar mission is committed to taking expansive and hopeful messages to the Moon, worthy of archiving for generations.
How do I look at it?
This gives immense hope. My poetry and film, both going to the Moon is an affirmation for my poet, artist, and filmmaker.
It is also a happy coincidence that the title of my first poetry collection, Chand Ka Paivand, published by Ayan Publication, New Delhi, in 1986, translates as Patch of Moon. I remember, I was three when my father held the newspaper to show me the picture of Man on the Moon and the American Flag raised on moon’s surface. I couldn’t possibly have imagined back then that someday, I’ll share this legacy as an American and an Indian-American poet, artist and filmmaker.
The Silent River poem, in the film “River of Songs” has given name to all my creative ventures — Silent River, Silent River Film Festival, and Silent River film and Literary Society, a non-profit. Silent River poem is also a part of my feature film Goodbye My Friend (2011).
In the water of a Silent River, I see my vision, in its depth and flow, I find the philosophy of my life. They inspires my creativity and the journey I share with others.
Thanks to Dr. Samuel Peralta and NASA for their vision and this rare opportunity and honor. I also want to express my gratitude to the universe that has mysterious ways of connecting us, and my Mother, the very source of my being. She left a little too soon, perhaps waiting on the Moon to hear me sing my poems and see my reflections in my art soon to be reaching her in a time capsule.
Note: River of Songs film can be viewed on YouTube. River of Songs poems are taken from Bare Soul, a poetry collection by Kalpna Singh-Chitnis, available on all major online retailers.
