Rhyme, Reason & Celebration: Here’s why you should attend the Bengaluru Poetry Festival 2023

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By Sandhya Kumar

04/08/2023

“Poetry is such a broad spectrum, but it isn’t given much importance in any of the festivals,” rues Subodh Sankar. As co-founder of Atta Galatta, he realised platforms were limited for poets.

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So, they, along with a core team of poets and poetry lovers, conceptualised the Bengaluru Poetry Festival (BPF) as a celebration of poetry.

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On 5 and 6 August, the 7th edition of the Bengaluru Poetry Festival will be held at Grand Mercure Bengaluru, Gopalan Mall, Old Madras Road.

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“Over the entire two days, it’s going to be a grand event with 30 sessions. Renowned classical musician Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia will inaugurate the festival,” says an excited Sankar.

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“While we have a panel by Yogesh Maitreya, an important poet in Dalit poetry, we also have a panel on poetry reviewing,” says Maitreyee B Chowdhury, a core member of the team.

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“We plan to focus on translations, Bhaasha poets, and young poets, who are instrumental in taking poetry in a different direction than the known traditional form,” explains Maitreyee.

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They want to be as inclusive of all forms of poetry as possible. And as long as it’s good, brave and interesting poetry, we are set,” she emphasises.

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“Poetry when it is heard, finds its way to the heart and stays there for a long time. And anything that appeals to the heart is always endearing,” Subodh signs off.

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