Pahila Prem Pahila Swapna Book Review: A Soft Ache of First Love

Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3 out of 5)

I still remember the first thing I noticed about पहिलं प्रेम… पहिलं स्वप्न when it landed on my desk. It was not the blurb. It was not even the title, though that itself already stirs something tender. It was the cover. Krishna and Radha in soft colors, family moments floating around them, love shown not as drama but as warmth. Honestly, it made me pause.

In my years as a reader and now as Editor in Chief at Deified Publication, I have learned to trust that pause. That moment when you do not rush to open the book but just sit with it. This one asked for that kind of attention.

I have read countless poetry collections about love. Many talk about heartbreak. Many about longing. But this one felt like it was speaking about something gentler and deeper. Not just romantic love, but the first feeling of belonging that shapes who we become.

And maybe that is why it stayed with me longer than I expected.

What the Book Is About: Love in many forms, not just one

At its heart, पहिलं प्रेम… पहिलं स्वप्न by Renuka Sanjyot Agureddy is a Marathi poetry collection that circles around the idea of first love. But the book quietly expands that idea.

This is not only about the first person you fall for. It is also about the first time you felt protected. The first time you were seen. The first time your heart understood attachment, even before you had words for it.

The poems move through love for parents, siblings, friends, teachers, memories, faith, and yes, romantic longing too. There is a gentle narrative thread where a story of Arun and Isha appears, giving the collection a soft emotional spine. Their connection is tender, hesitant, incomplete in ways that feel painfully familiar.

I found myself thinking that the author is not trying to impress anyone here. She is trying to remember. And through her remembering, she invites us to revisit our own.

What Stood Out to Me: Simplicity that feels lived in

One thing I noticed very early on is the simplicity of the language. This is not poetry that hides behind complexity. The words are direct. Sometimes even repetitive. And I think that is intentional.

In real life, when we remember people we love, we repeat ourselves. We go back to the same moments. We circle the same feelings again and again, hoping to understand them better. The poems here do exactly that.

There are pieces dedicated to mother, father, siblings, friendship, teachers. As someone who has edited many poetry manuscripts, I can say this honestly. Writing about parents is easy to make sentimental. Writing about them without sounding forced is much harder. Some poems here succeed beautifully. A few lean a bit too much into direct expression. But even then, the sincerity never feels fake.

The Krishna Radha imagery also stood out to me. It is not used to sound grand or philosophical. It is used as a symbol of love that exists even without completion. That felt very aligned with the emotional tone of the book.

The Emotional Core: The ache of what stayed unfinished

If I had to describe the emotional center of this book in one sentence, I would say this. It understands that not all love stories need endings to matter.

The Arun Isha sequence especially carries this feeling. There is hesitation. Missed timing. Things left unsaid. When I read those pages, I kept thinking about how many people carry someone like that quietly in their lives. Not as regret, but as memory.

I think many readers will feel seen here. Especially those who never got closure, but still learned something important from loving.

Some poems made me smile softly. Some made me think of people I have not spoken to in years. There were moments where I paused, not because the line was perfect, but because it reminded me of something personal. And that, for me, is the mark of honest writing.

Craft and Structure: Not polished, but personal

From a technical standpoint, the poetry does not aim for innovation. The structure is straightforward. The rhythm is simple. There are moments where editing could have tightened the lines, reduced repetition, or refined transitions.

But here is the thing. I am not sure that would have helped this book.

This collection feels like a first offering. A sincere one. And first offerings often carry rawness that polish can sometimes erase. As an editor, I notice the rough edges. As a reader, I forgive them easily here.

The pacing flows like memory itself. Jumping from childhood to adulthood, from devotion to longing, from family to solitude. It feels natural. Like flipping through an emotional album rather than reading a carefully curated exhibition.

Who This Book Is For: Know this before you pick it up

This book will resonate deeply if you are someone who values emotion over technique.

If you enjoy poetry that speaks in a conversational tone, especially in Marathi, this will feel familiar and comforting.

If you are someone who believes love exists beyond romance, in parents, teachers, friendships, and faith, you will find many moments to connect with.

This may not be the book for readers who prefer experimental poetry or sharp minimalism. It is also not for those looking for dramatic twists or intellectual puzzles.

But if you like sitting quietly with your thoughts. If you like remembering who you were before life complicated things. Then yes, this book might sit with you for a while.

Final Thoughts: Why this book feels timely in 2025

In 2025, we talk a lot about speed. Faster lives. Faster content. Faster emotions. What पहिलं प्रेम… पहिलं स्वप्न offers is slowness.

It asks you to remember that before ambition, before responsibility, before disappointment, there was a softer version of you who felt deeply and freely.

As Editor in Chief at Deified Publication, I am often asked what makes a book worth recommending. For me, it is simple. Does it feel honest. Does it respect the reader. Does it leave something behind.

This book does all three.

It may not be perfect. But it is heartfelt. And sometimes, that matters more.

FAQ Section

Is Pahila Prem Pahila Swapna worth reading?
If you enjoy emotionally driven poetry and reflective writing, I think it is worth your time. It offers comfort more than surprise.

Who should read पहिलं प्रेम… पहिलं स्वप्न?
Readers who enjoy Marathi poetry, themes of love, memory, family, and first emotional experiences will connect strongly with it.

Is this book only about romantic love?
Not at all. Romance is part of it, but family, friendship, devotion, and self reflection are equally present.

Should you read this book in one sitting?
I would not recommend that. This is better read slowly, a few poems at a time, letting them settle.