Scholars discuss history of political poetry in India

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 15

Discussing the experimentally path breaking poetry of eminent poets of the 70’s, the session of Majha House on political poetry and its dimensions had scholars and poets comparing the era with contemporary scenario. 

Leading the discussion, Aditya Behl, a poet and scholar, talked about popular Hindi poet and political analyst Muktibodh’s works and how it inspired his own. 

Considered a pioneer of modern poetry in India, his poetry had strong influences of socialism, Marxism and reflected a deep discontent that resulted in some of his sharpest works about India’s political and social set up. 

Behl is also in process to write an experimental book length poetry inspired by Muktibodh’s poems.

Another poet, whose works broke the glass ceiling was Punjabi writer, essayist Lal Singh Dil. “Dil’s struggles including facing isolation and indignities often associated with low caste communities and his works reflect upon the issues quite bluntly. His works were quite different from his contemporaries, including Paash and equally acclaimed,” said Amandeep Kaur, assistant professor, Department of English, who convened the session. 

“Both these poets of the 70’s are quite popular in contemporary scenario and their works are relevant through times,” she added. The discussion primarily focused on comparing the political and social situation through these poems and also exploring the reasons why not many voices are being heard in terms of political poetry in India currently. 

Poetry from different Indian languages, including Hindi and English were also discussed at length during the seminar.