The Dasara poets’ conclave — one of the showpiece events of the Dasara festival — was inaugurated here on Tuesday, providing a platform for both established and budding poets.
Being held at the B.M. Sri auditorium of the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, University of Mysore, the Dasara Kavigoshti will be held for five days with a specific theme on each day of the event.
Geetha Vasanth, a renowned writer, poet, and analyst, was the chief guest on the inaugural day. She stated that poetry should lend voice to the voiceless and the marginalised section.
She said that poets and their work should probe the collective mindset of the society, embrace a broader vision, and focus on the truth, in order to create poetry of a higher quality. In this context, Ms. Vasanth pointed out that trivial and insubstantial poetry has been on the rise of late.
She noted that short poems, epics, and classical poetry have always reflected people’s aspirations. Drawing upon the array of emotions and experiences, poetry should also acquire metaphysical attributes, while poets should develop universal consciousness as described by poet Kuvempu, she added.
Ms. Vasanth said that poetry should not remain a mere composition, but must also be research-based. Poems have the power to transcend caste, religion, and gender differences, thereby uniting people together, she added.
Other speakers of the day included lyricist Kaviraj, who said that nature bestows the gift of creativity only upon a few individuals. Poetry can sow the seeds for small but meaningful changes in society, and would serve its purpose even if a few lines can bring about a transformation in the life of any individual, he added.
Kaviraj remarked that in the present trolling era, society often ignores sober voices, and hence poets must move beyond mere romanticism and become the voice of society’s turmoil.
Regional poets from Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, and Kodagu districts read out their self-composed poems, earning applause from the audience. Among those who recited poems included professors, retired officials from the postal, forest, and police departments, farmers, and school children, all of whom showcased their love for the language through their works.
Among those who presented their works included Abhijna P.M. Gowda, M. Aiyappa, Khatyayini P., Krantiveer Simha, aming others. A farmer from Mandya recited a poem on ‘Livelihood’, while Kumar Chalavadi rendered his poem reflecting the plight of the elderly. Likewise, Jalaja Shekhar from Kodagu portrayed the agony of Indians after the terrorist attack in Kashmir through verses.
Dhanya G. Aras, an 11-year-old girl from Hebbaluguppe in H.D. Kote, presented her poem ‘Namma Nadu’, while M.K. Nishanth, a 14-year-old poet earned applause for a poem about modern kids being addicted to social media and scrolling away their childhood on mobile phones.
The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Taxes G.S. Somashekhar, Kannada Sahitya Academy president Mukund Raj, Director of Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies N.K. Lolakshi, and others.
Published – September 23, 2025 07:01 pm IST
