By Matters India Reporter
Kolkata, April 29, 2024: Calcutta archdiocese’s commission for dialogue has organized a “kavi semmelan” (gathering of poets) to set up a platform for poets to express their concern for society.
About 40 poets from Hindi, Bengali and Urdu literatures attended the April 28 gathering. Most of them were from Hindi literature.
“The amalgamation of three languages into one kavi sammelan generated a new sense of belongingness among the poets,” claimed commission director Father Sunil Rosario.
The program helped the poets express their joy, grief, anxiety, losses and aspirations to foster better relations and understanding and build peace and harmony, the priest said.
Father Rosario cited Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, “Fratelli Tutti” (all brothers), that warns against debate degenerating into “a permanent state of disagreement and confrontation.”
Maintaining that people now are going through such a phase, the Catholic priest pointed out that literature takes up concerns for better humanity and tries to discover true identity.
“Those who love literature and vouch to live by their daily reflection of life based on such ground realities can find fulfilment in life. Dialogue helps to achieve such goals in our life,” he asserted.
He also said the poet, with his experience of his historical, cultural, socio-economic and political situations, reaches out to society that goes through similar experiences.
“The concerns of any literature are to express our hopes and aspirations, the joys and sorrows of humanity in the given period of time in history,” he said.
The poet has the inherent power to reveal goodness, beauty and truth, that is sublime and easily acceptable to the listener or reader,” the priest explained.
Bringing together poets who express their thoughts and feelings in literature enhances humanity.
Syed Irfan Sher, who hosted the event, said such programs are the need of the hour as they bring together poets, who move forward with a positive mind set and create healthy feelings in society, and build amity, love, peace and harmony.”
Bishwambhar Newar, editor, Chapte Chapte and Producer, Taza TV, the guest of honour, encouraged the poets to be always positive, no matter what comes in life. “I see mini India in this poetic gathering. Irrespective of religion, languages, colour and background, they have come freely to share their thoughts and emotions,” he added.
During the program, a book of ghazal and poems in Urdu by Ashraf Yaqubi was released by veteran Urdu Poet Halim Sabi. The book was handed over to Newar.
Poets recited poems and ghazals in Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Maithili and Telugu, reflecting India’s secularism and unity in diversity.
Fr Sunil Rosario – Director of the Commission for Dialogue, Archdiocese of Calcutta is absolutely right in his assertion that `literature takes up concerns for better humanity and tries to discover true identity.’ Indeed Art and Literature which includes Poetry are interconnected, especially when it comes to Performing Art.
The disturbing trend with Art, Literature and Poetry is some people in authority try to dictate what one will write and will not write. We have enough instances in History. A classic example of this trend is book bans and also the Paid Media which has infiltrated into our lives.
Poets are worldbuilders. Through their poetry poets promote on-going-ness and togetherness among fellow mortals on a common journey.
Congratulations dear Fr. Sunil for organising kavi sammelan and for bringing together poets from all walks of life irrespective of caste, creed and religion that indeed makes it a ” mini India” which is the need of the hour. I am sure this will bring about real unity and diversity and you become a trend setter bringing in positive thinking amidst negative thoughts prevailing today in the society then you become as the song goes ” shanthi k duut hum Bane Shanti failae….. “. Keep up your good work of spreading peace and harmony.