The Poets Meet held at Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore on Saturday, provided a forum for vernacular poets to explore the depths of their imagination in order to depict the harsh realities of modern society. As many as 35 poets recited poems in six different languages at the venue.
Konkani, Beary, Tulu, Kodava and Sanskrit poets, along with 30 Kannada poets, explored themes such as environment, atrocity against women, ecology, development, agriculture and others.
Ningappa Chalageri, a poet from Haveri district in his Kannada poem ‘Compound Eddu Mane Meyuva Kaala’, attempted to sketch the insecurities faced by women, post Delhi gang rape incident. The poem speaks about a mother advising her daughter about the possible dangers of sex related crimes lurking at home, on the streets, at places of worship and others.
Alwin Danthy, a Konkani poet, in his poem “Dole Ugadcha Bithar” (Before opening my eyes), spoke on the modern day issue of communalism affecting the coastal region.
The poem which started with the invasion of India by Muslim rulers and Christian traders, also spoke on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. “Even before Independent India could open its eyes to the modern world, leading freedom fighter was assassinated by communal forces,” his poem read.
Hamza Malar, in his Beary poem “Chore Payakkd” (Blood boils) explored a range of domestic and international problems. The poem also found a reference to the controversial ‘Yettinahole project’, depicting an opposition against the same. Welfare schemes aimed at the poor misused by vested interests, global bloodshed attributed to war and terrorism were also criticised as events that boils the blood of common men.
Kasturi Govindayya N A, in her Kodava poem ‘Ee Baduku Yaarigu Shashwatha Alla’, spoke on the necessity of developing charity during the lifetime by likening life to a bubble on the surface of water. Her poem stressed on helping the needy irrespective of religion or caste based barriers.
Environmental issues such as drying rivers and reduced rainfall were discussed in Vasanth Kumar Perla’s Tuu poem “Kaluve Thikkiye” (Thief is caught) and Malathi Pattanashetty’s “Nee Guptaadi Yaake Shalmali”.
Renowned poet B A Sanadi inaugurated the Poets Meet.