– by Jaihoon

Reflections on the 100 Thousand poets for Change, Sep 24 2011

From time immemorial, poetry has built better bridges between people than those with bricks and stones. And these bridges do not get old or obsolete.

But poetry performs a higher function which is psychologically and socially more important than simply connecting hearts. It goes a step further in becoming an agent of CHANGE.

History has enough and more examples of poets who have kick-off-ed transformations within the society they have lived and sometimes even beyond their boundaries. Only poets can dare to dream of an ecosystem which is radically different from their immediate present.

It is poetry which first conceives Change as a reality much before it actually arrives. Not all Changes need to be revolutionary or reactionary. It could be subtle and with a smile too.

These were some of the little conclusions I drew after participating at the 100 Thousand Poets for Change, an event organized by Arabic Book Club at Al Qasba, an exotic dream-like getaway place for the poetic souls in the country, as part of the global event held across 95 countries.

Blessed by the presence of Shaikha Bodoor Al Qasimi (@Bodour), Chairperson of the Qasba Development Authority and Vice-President of the Sharjah Ladies Club. Ahmed Al Amri, director of the Sharjah International Book Fair(@ShjIntlBookFair) in Sharjah and well-known Emirati poets Rashid Sharrar and Rayana al Oud, the gathering had some of the finest poetic talents from the land.

Participants from Arabic, English, Urdu and Malayalam eloquently recited poems on various subjects ranging from oppression of women, Democracy, Love, ambition to freedom struggles in the region.

Rupert Neil Bumfrey (@rupertbu) welcomed the guests and Marwa Yehia (@marwayehia) introduced the poets. The leading Emirati poets shared their vision for the country and Omar Tanira enthralled the audience. Urdu was heard from Sabeen Hashmi and Saleem Ayyanath and Velliyodan shared Malayalam verses.

The poetic fraternity promised to meet again at the Sharjah International Book Fair, scheduled to be from November 16 – 26 2011 as Shruti Jagdeesh (@Shru_) concluded her amazing photography of this memorable event held at Maraya Art Center (@MarayaArtCentre)in Al Qasba.

– @MujeebJaihoon

posted on Sep 26 2011