The word “Poetree” is likely to create confusion among readers as soon as they take a glance at the title. So, it’s important to do away with the confusion at the outset.
“Poetree” is actually a portmanteau word combining “poet” and “tree” – hundreds of poets from around the world made a tree joining hands together on a common platform shaped by poetry. With a deep sense of belonging, the poets gathered at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, India, to give birth to a large tree, having fresh and green leaves, with a prospect of springing up beautiful words of love, peace and harmony. One tree comprising thousands of branches and millions of leaves stood straight with head held high.
Pentasi B World Poetry, a literary organisation, makes a connection between poets spread around the world. Dr PenPen from the Philippines is the founder of the organisation that brings poets together in different venues every year. The venue this year was Hyderabad.
I’m happy to have participated in such a wonderful poetry festival at Ramoji Film City, the largest film city in the world. After taking a tour of the city, you'd feel that this is one of those cities that one must visit at least once, if not several times, in a lifetime. The city stands on 1666 acres of land which is adorned so beautifully that one can only feel wonderment and the bliss of eye-catching vista, both natural and architectural. Ramoji Rao, a man of vision, dreamt of this wonderland, subsequently putting his dream into a reality.
Let’s turn to poetry. Poets from about twenty eight countries gathered for a four-day festival, from October 12 to 16. The countries represented in the festival included Italy, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, America, Canada, Mauritius, Egypt, the Philippines and Turkey. Kamrul Hasan, a poet and travel writer, and I represented Bangladesh in the festival.
Having reached Ramoji, we first met at a dinner on October 12; a warm discussion about a range of issues followed. The program commenced in the early morning next day, with a formal inauguration graced by a local minister and dignitaries promoting art and literature at Hyderabad.
Dr LRS Rasad, one of the key organisers, also a poet and translator, welcomed all the guests and dignitaries before all the participating poets were declared as part of Pentasi B World Poetry, and felicitated with graduating gowns.
After the inauguration, distinguished poets and personalities from different states of India were felicitated with fine shawls, certificates and crests. Some famous poets and writers were given life-time achievement awards for their wide-ranging contributions to art, literature and society.
After lunch, the most fascinating part of the festival, poetry reading by poets from various countries, began. First, some veteran figures of Telegu poetry read their poems, followed by reading by poets of some other Indian languages including Hindi. After tea-break, poets from other countries came up with their amazing poems of diverse themes with a special focus on love, peace and fraternity. The audience highly enjoyed the poetry reading segment.
The evening part of the programme was engrossing and sonorous. Yashoda Thakore, a choreographer and Kuchipudi dancer, who also has a PhD in classical dance, made the evening special with her marvelous performance. It was a distinct performance. A young, beautiful girl recited poems while she danced; then another woman started singing while she continued dancing. It was absolutely a soul-stirring performance. It seemed as if a diva had come to the world of poets to enlighten and enrich the ambience with special glow, beauty and love.
The next three days were packed mostly with book launches and poetry readings. Awards were also conferred on some young poets for their debut collections. In addition, artistes mostly from various states of India performed songs and dances. Another great attraction was a film city tour – it’s simply a dream spot that soothes eyes and fills hearts with striking views of well-designed and well-planned places. Our accommodation was arranged in Hotel Sitara, a four-star hotel inside the film city.
It was an exceptional festival in many respects. A few wonderful sessions were designed instantly, the instance of which is rarely found in literary festivals. Dr LRS Prasad continued anchoring the programme from beginning to the very end, with his unending enthusiasm and life force. Despite some limitations and challenges, the Indian World Poetree Festival 2017 ended with a note of strengthening friendship and fraternity between poets and friends around the world.
It was indeed a wonderful experience for me to meet so many great hearts and amazing poets. I was very happy to have launched my poetry collection, spoken in a session and read my poem in the festival. This sort of festival connects the world, bridges gaps between nations, helps build up new relationships, and above all, celebrates life and poetry to obliterate darkness and promote magic through words.
Long live poetry, long live poets!
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, poet and translator, teaches English at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]
Thursday, April 25, 2024
