Poetry Festival Kolkata/IBNS: The annual Chair Poetry Evenings, Kolkata’s International Poetry Festival, got off to a spirited start at the Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR) here with a resolve to present voices that remain obstinate in the face of challenges.
The festival was inaugurated by renowned Indian poet Padma Shri Mamang Dai in presence of festival directors Sonnet Mondal and Tushar Dhawal Singh.
Poet and festival director Sonnet Mondal shared his thoughts on poetry saying that the "fire of national and international discourses will be heard through this festival"
"We wish to present voices that remain obstinate in the face of anything that comes against humanity,” he said.
Folk and Sufi musical band ‘Kartooz’
Tushar Dhawal Singh, an Indian poet, and director of the festival remarked, “Chair Poetry Evenings celebrate life, creation, and humanity in all its diversities and hues. We look forward to presenting the humane voice of people who are being tormented by inhuman ideas and forces.”
The event was followed by poetry reading sessions by international participants - Sholeh Wolpé (Iran/U.S.A.), Erik Lindner (the Netherlands), Endre Ruset (Norway), Jesús Sepúlveda (Chile), Anne Vegter (the Netherlands), Iryna Vikyrchak (Ukraine) and Jennifer Jean (U.S.A.) along with Indian poets Padma Shri Mamang Dai, Ranajit Das, Neelesh Raghuwanshi, Kumar Ambuj, Shikhandin, Badrinarayan, Sutapa Sengupta, Kynpham Singh Nongkynrih, and Hindol Bhattacharjee.
Poetry in over 8 languages was read during the course of this festival.
The festival ended with an electrifying performance of the Folk and Sufi musical band ‘Kartooz’ comprising their band members Rishi Chakraborty, Prajna Dutta, Shiladitya Chakraborty, Saikat Dutta, Ranojoy Singh, and Ushnish Acharya.
(Reporting by Ayush Gupta)
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