By SHRI RAM SHAW
New Delhi: The Academy of Fine Arts and Literature once again brought people together to appreciate poetry that cuts across all borders of age and class. Judging from the numbers thronging the premises and the hall itself, the Kavi Sammelan – DIALOGUE — organized by the academy on Sunday (25 August) was a great success. If eminent poet-shayar Shivkumar Bilagrami, the chief artist at the event was a crowd-puller, the other members were equally talented and their performance went down very well with the audience.
The programme began with Sanjay Shepherd who began by recalling his tireless journey of various places across the globe and then proceeded to regale the audience with his memoirs – “Zindagi kya hai shehar badal kar dekho” in his own unique style.
Deo Prakash Chaudhary, vice president, Academy of Fine Arts was equally amusing, particularly with his reminisces about the Maithili folktales and Madhubani paintings. During his presentation on “Lok kala vyakti ko vyakti se kaise jodti hai”, an amazing baritone wafted through the mike to enter the consciousness of the audience. We must have heard many colloquial and musical voices in our lives and have been smitten by the tonal quality of those otherworldly voices. But this was a different voice which reminded the audience of a line – “Meri aawaaz ka teer, jaayega dil ko bhi cheer” from Mohammed Rafi’s song “Sun le tu dil ki sada” from film ‘Tere Ghar Ke Saamne’ (1963). It’s indeed a divinely resonant voice. Extremely articulate and succinct, Deo Prakash regaled with innumerable anecdotes and experiences. He even remembered the contributions of noted artist Godavari Devi.
Imtiyaz Khan, a poet of note and gifted with a melodious voice, won everybody’s hearts with a long-winded rhythmic poem – “Toh laanat bhejo zindagi pe” which summed all the features of “Lurching Lives”. Poonam Arora came up with her sweet-nothings –“Aaj main tumhare sapno me nahi aaoongi”, and “Roz 10.30 baje aata hai chowkidaar”.
Many of the poems recited on the evening carried a social message. They focused on changing socio-cultural patterns, the loss of values, and the break-up of a familiar way of life. Onkar Tripathy, a well-known name in literary world, had a touching poem about a man’s relationship with his near and dear ones. He was of the view – “It’s not as if there is any dearth of intimates, but intimacy seems to be nowhere.” (Rishte ab bhavukta ki bajay bhautikta ke tarazoo me taule jaate hain). He enthralled audience with his soothing poems viz. “Main kisi kanchan kalash ka jal nahi hoon”, “Badhaon se ladna aur achcha lagta hai”, “Purva ke jhonke milte hain”, “Main saawan ka meghdoot hoon, tum raani Alkanagari ki”. Tripathy also recited a poem on a concurrent topic i.e. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – “Swapna ki surahi me qaid kiya kalp/ Aadmi ne dhoondh liya swayam ka vikalp”.
The ‘grande finale’ came with the star attraction and cynosure of all eyes, Shivkumar Bilagrami who held the gathering mesmerized for the rest of the evening. Each line that he uttered was punctuated with a resounding applause from the audience as he, through gentle satire, and in the manner of Addison, enlivened morality with wit and tempered with morality.
He had the listeners floored as he recited “Kabhi jab gaaon jata hoon, toh bachpan dhoondhta hoon main”, and “Jab hum tan me nahi rahenge, tab hum aganit baar milenge”. Bilagrami uses poetry as a tool for bringing about social reform. According to him, what we need today is not religion but philanthropy. Poetry, he believes, is the best medicine and can work wonders in bringing normalcy back to a fragmented world.
The session of laughter and verse was appreciated by the audience that clamoured for more. The Academy of Fine Arts and Literature will continue to hold events for the national capital and looks forward to bringing people together again in its forthcoming events, Deo Prakash concluded.