In the corridors of taxation and law, where numbers rule and files whisper secrets, a man walks with poetry in his pocket. Joe Sebastian, an IRS officer by duty, a haiku poet by soul. Retired as the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax , Coimbatore, he has spent decades navigating the complexities of Indian bureaucracy. His life, a delicate balance between logic and lyric, between governance and the gossamer threads of fleeting moments.
But beyond the world of finance and taxation, he has carved a niche for himself in the world of haiku poetry – a form of verse that captures profound moments in just 17 syllables. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, he talked about his experiences of haiku poetry.
A JOURNEY THROUGH BUREAUCRACY
Joe Sebastian’s career in the Indian Revenue Service began in 1990, after he earned a gold medal in Political Science from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. From Bangalore to Mangalore, Mumbai, and Chennai, his professional journey has taken him across the country, shaping his analytical skills and keen sense of observation, both of which he seamlessly applies to his poetry.
His tenure as Director in the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and later as Executive Director at the Sports Authority of India saw him playing a pivotal role in the successful execution of the Commonwealth Games 2010. His contributions to Special Olympics Bharat and the Paralympic Committee of India were widely recognized, underscoring his commitment to inclusivity and social impact.
COUNTING COINS, COUNTING CLOUDS
What drew an IRS officer to the minimalist art of haiku? According to Joe Sebastian, it was the discipline and precision that fascinated him. “Haiku condenses wisdom into just three lines and 17 syllables, capturing the ephemeral interaction between humans and nature,” he explains. It is this ability to distill profound truths into a few words that resonated deeply with him.
A MIND BRIDGING TWO WORLDS
Though seemingly disparate, the worlds of taxation and haiku share a common thread – precision. “In taxation, every number counts; in haiku, every syllable matters,” says Sebastian. His experience in the civil services, which demands meticulous attention to detail and perseverance, has helped him develop the patience required to craft the perfect haiku.
He also finds parallels between the structured nature of tax regulations and the discipline of haiku writing. “Just like tax laws have rigid frameworks, haiku too follows a strict 5-7-5 syllabic structure, yet within that limitation, there is boundless creativity,” he shared with Indian Masterminds.
A WHISPER OF LEAVES, A STROKE OF INK
Joe Sebastian’s haikus often revolve around nature and human interactions. “Nature is the backbone of haiku,” he says. His poetry captures fleeting moments – a falling cherry blossom, the ripples of a pond, the whisper of the wind – each holding a deeper truth about life’s impermanence.
In addition to haiku, he also writes senryu, a similar form that focuses more on human emotions and societal observations rather than nature. “While haiku embodies nature’s revelations, senryu delves into human idiosyncrasies,” he stated.
A LIFE MEASURED IN MOMENTS
For Sebastian, both civil service and poetry require patience and dedication. He compares the challenges of passing India’s civil service exams to perfecting a haiku. “Many aspirants take multiple attempts to clear the UPSC exam, just as a poet revises a haiku numerous times before achieving the right impact,” he notes.
HAIKU IN THE HEART OF BUREAUCRACY
In a world where bureaucrats are often seen as rigid and rule-bound, Joe Sebastian is a refreshing exception, one who balances his analytical mind with an artistic soul. And so, between the weight of rules and the lightness of words, Joe continues. By day, a guardian of law; by night, a seeker of meaning. His life, a haiku in itself – brief, poignant, profound.
