If you have an inclination for poetry, prepare to be regaled by some of the best poets. What is more, you can savour verses in 22 Indian languages at one place. This rare opportunity is offered by the Prasar Bharati in the run-up to the Republic Day celebrations.
A galaxy of bards will recite poems in various languages, and the translated versions will be offered in Hindi and Telugu. A total of 66 poets will take the audience on a poetic journey on Thursday evening at APSRTC, Kalabhavan, Baghlingampally. Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan will be the chief guest at the National Symposium of Poets - 2014.
One can relish poems in Sanskrit, Assamese, Bangla, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarathi, Kannada, Konkani, Kashmiri, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sindhi, Santhali, Tamil, Urdu, Hindi and Telugu.
“This is the first time that the original poetry translation is being offered in Telugu, apart from Hindi. It is the biggest gathering of national poets from all regional languages. We are organising it in Hyderabad this year with 22 poets from different regional languages,” said R. Venkateswarlu, Director-General, All India Radio.
He said the translation of poetry in regional languages would be offered in the coming years, too. The poets will highlight several themes, but the focus will mainly be on national integration and social issues.
The programme will be broadcast on January 25 at 10 p.m, by all AIR stations.
“This recording is also made available to all regional stations, so they can highlight the regional poets and can also translate into the regional language and broadcast from the respective stations based on their programme arrangements,” he added.
The AIR, Mr. Venkateswarlu said, was trying to be a catalyst for social change and economic development. The poetry symposium has been organised on the eve of the Republic Day since 1956.
The poets are chosen by a Sahitya Academy committee and the AIR, which broadcasts their works throughout the year.
