“Journey to Rest in Peace” – Mayur Madhekar’s Poetic Odyssey Through Death, Memory, and the Afterlife
Every so often, a writer dares to reimagine the spaces we fear the most—not with darkness, but with empathy, imagination, and grace. Journey to Rest in Peace, a poetic narrative by Mayur Rajesh Madhekar, is one such extraordinary work—a soulful rethinking of what happens after life, and the emotional echoes we carry even beyond our final breath.
Awarded the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award, this moving and mysterious collection of 21 interconnected poems tells the story of Uttam, a 54-year-old coal mine worker who, after his death, awakens in the Death Realm. What follows is a deeply human exploration of the afterlife—not as judgment or void, but as a quiet path toward emotional release, healing, and ultimate peace.
The premise is haunting yet tender: each soul in the Death Realm must resolve what lingers from their earthly life by connecting with others on the same journey. Through chance encounters, remembered faces, and the whisper of regrets and reconciliations, Uttam’s spirit begins to lighten. The reader watches as he moves through grief, memory, and transformation—not just of self, but of love.
“Journey to Rest in Peace was inspired by the loss of my friend’s father,” Mayur shares. “It made me reflect deeply on what we leave behind—and what we carry with us.” In this way, the book is both personal and universal. A meditation not just on death, but on the weight of unfinished stories and the healing power of being seen—even after life ends.
Mayur Madhekar is an IT engineer by profession and a storyteller by soul. At just 20 years old, he published his debut novel Life has a Song for Everyone, and he continues to shape narratives that resonate with emotion, reflection, and meaning. A passionate lover of music, Mayur often finds poetry in melodies and silence alike. He plays guitar, dabbles in magic, and explores dance—not for performance, but for expression.
“I believe in the transformative power of life,” he says. “Happiness and sadness are not opposites, but partners in shaping who we are.”
Journey to Rest in Peace embodies this philosophy. It’s not simply a work of poetry—it’s a journey toward release. Mayur has created something rare: a lyrical map of the soul’s path through mortality, sorrow, and the sublime grace of letting go.
With its emotional depth, philosophical undercurrent, and poetic craft, the book is a gift to readers who seek more than entertainment—they seek connection. Mayur reminds us that even in the imagined realm of death, we find truth, not in finality, but in the tenderness of our shared human experience.
📖 Book Title: Journey to Rest in Peace
🏆 Award: 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award
📍 From: Pune, India
📷 Instagram: @mayur_madhekar
