The Kannada Sangha of Christ University has been conducting poetry competitions for well over three decades now. The poems are invited from universities and colleges in every corner of Karnataka. These poems are submitted to a panel of judges and the winning poems are published as a book. The competition attracts participants not only from all parts of Karnataka, but even outside of the state too. This was a meaningful event held in memory of the great poet Bendre. A few poems chosen from the collections since 1982 to 2014 have been republished in the form of a book, “Matte Bantu Shraavana”.
Since its inception, the entries were not limited only to Bangalore, it was not restricted to a group. For some time, the competition experimented with varied concepts too – inviting poems on a specific topic, satirical poems, and even translations of a specific poem into Kannada and so on. However, none of these seemed to be as successful as expected. But what was met with a huge success was the calling for independent compositions. In these 32 years, this poetic world has not only captured the quirky aspects of youthfulness but also attempted to catch some rare emotional treasures. The desires of the body and spirit have burst forth in new tunes. We can find a cohort of poems that are struggling to break away from traditionalism by finding their own identity through a new voice and new found brilliance. These poems are not only the main poems of the compilation, but also the pulsations of a new generation in Kannada poetry that has been shaping up for the last three decades. For those who wonder about the form of Kannada poetry post 1980s, there are answers to be found in these pages. These pages mirror the dreams and aspirations of the generation of these three decades.
The poems in this compilation have understood the need to drag the various experiences of life onto poetic trails, and to express the words with an intensity that is personalised; coming from the depths of their hearts. The young boys and girls have continuously questioned what sensitivity is while writing these poems and hence we find their intensity, amusement, foolishness and innocence coalescing into one. These natural characters of youth are one of the strengths of this compilation.
One must observe the manner in which the naughty and unsophisticated conversation is slowly drawn towards complex matters. They present an amazing world without turning it into a cliché. They draw from folklore and use words by linking them to newer contexts. However, many of these poems are untouched by folk literature. Looking at the interests of these poems and their inner self, it seems unlikely that they can arise out of folklore even in the future. They belong to a modern era that has either distanced itself completely from folklore or has assimilated a distorted form of it. Their feelings have succumbed to the ruins of modern civilization. The language, style and beauty of their poetry originate from amidst these ruins.
There is another form of poetry here. This mainly juxtaposes the real and imaginary worlds. The greatest accomplishment here is the sensitivity and ease with which this has been explored. Another mysterious aspect is also embedded in these poems. They try to see the pain and changes in a new light. They picture not only personal experiences but also indulge in a serious attempt to try and find similarities in contemporary times. Many poems have created lines that seem to pulsate on every touch.
They draw you in through their voice, the sentences, the rhythm and style. They are aware of the dangers of turning into prose. Many poems seem desirous of expanding rather than being condensed. These expansions also become tolerable because of their intense innocence. The surprise that is inherent in poetry helps them move forward. The poems also carry the influence of their geographical boundaries. There are many Karnatakas that can be found in them. The sensations of these poems have sprung forth from their environment and are built using simile and metaphors from their experiences. There are cultural scenes from Coorg which have held aloft many poems. The metropolitan city of Madras is shown beyond the annals of simple concepts. It has become a complex land of beliefs and arguments. The sea and fish of Karavali have gone beyond their beauty to stand testimony to life’s helplessness. The heaven and hell of Bangalore is captured in the fears of adolescence. The dust of the plains has opened the veil to the tribulations of life. In the mesmerizing greenery of Malnad, there are a girl’s stifled sobs. The songs of the Soliga community have dissolved in the drum beats of Uttara Karnataka. Because they have used their geographical facets in a sensitive manner, the inner world of poetry has developed strange contours and many experiences have burst forth as songs.
It is heartening that girls have participated in huge numbers. The competition has played a distinct role in giving a form to their poetry. Their questions have overcome clichés. They face the challenges of life with their playfulness. Their poems seem to figure out the way to face relationships that seek to crush. Many poems embody in them the ‘female wisdom’.
Some poems are lyrical, some have attempted to utilize the beauty of rural language, a few are dramatic, some are abstract while some have captured splendid imagery, there are soliloquies and some have a free abandon in their style – they all exemplify the many possibilities for a successful poem.
A sense of lacuna temerges after putting together these poems, wondering about the nature of their evolutions. The poems by many fail to indulge in intellectual adventurisms as freely as they involve in emotional arena. Instead of emanating from the various corners of Kannada poetry, the language settles down to monotony. The metaphors and simile revolve around the old interpretations. They have given into the hands of the demands of the media that looks for everything instant. When this competition turns 50, someone may bring out another compilation. Whoever brings it out there will always be scope for good poetry. This competition has provided a wide ground for featuring the experiences of the new generation. One hopes that there will be an “Aivattara Shraavana” which will be followed by a “Noorara Shraavana” after a century. Then the same poems may show in a new light in the new world.
Christ University Kannada Sangha releases Matte Bantu Shravana , a compilation of poems edited by Vikram Visaji, on January 31, 4 p.m. The book will be released by Devanuru Mahadeva, and the chief guest is Dr. H.S. Venkatesha Murthy. Tarini Shubhadayini will speak about the collection. The venue is Christ University premises, Hosur Road, Bangalore.
