Sujata Bhatt writes poetry that focuses on themes of culture (particular Indian culture), language, relationships, and women's roles; she uses a variety of poetic devices to help her express those themes. Let's look at three of Bhatt's poems to give you an idea of how this works.

Look at “A Different History,” for example. It expresses the Indian culture, and it does so through allusions to a Greek god and a Hindu goddess, the extended metaphor of a book as an item worthy of respect and veneration, and a series of rhetorical questions designed to make readers think in new ways about language. Notice, too, the metaphor of the soul being cut with “a long scythe.”

In “The Stinking Rose,” Bhatt explores the nature of garlic, which becomes a symbol of a relationship. There are similes, metaphors, and allusions in this poem, a quotation from Shakespeare, and personification.

Finally, in "Muliebrity,” Bhatt provides vivid imagery about a girl gathering cow dung. She also calls special attention to poetic devices in her desire not to use the girl as a metaphor, yet she uses her anyway to represent the power of women. You can also notice personification in this poem.