World Poetry Day at Manipur University
- 21st March 2024 :: Department of English and Cultural Studies -

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World Poetry Day at Manipur University

The Department of English and Cultural Studies, Manipur University organised the World Poetry Day celebration, 2024 with the theme “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” on the 21st March at the Senate Hall, Manipur University.

The event was graced by Prof L Lokendra Singh, Vice- Chancellor, Manipur University as the Chief Guest, Diganta Biswa Sarma, Professor of Practice, Dibrugarh University and Prof Soibam Imoba Singh, Department of Linguistics &Dean of Humanities, Manipur University as the Guests of Honour along with the President of the event Prof Irom Gambhir Singh, Head, Department of English and Cultural Studies, Manipur University.

The primary objective of the Department of English and Cultural Studies, Manipur University in celebrating World Poetry Day is to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage through poetic expression. It aims to foster creativity, inspire dialogue and celebrate the rich tapestry of languages and cultures that make up our global community. The idea to display the art of beauty that poetry holds is also established in the event.

Professor of Practice, Diganta Biswa Sarma, refreshed the idea of poetry to the gathering by re- communicating the function of poetry and art in three points, that poetry and art embellish life with beauty, it makes life more intimate and create a noble life full of meaning, and that poetry and art reveal the inner self of individuals.

The gathering sees the illuminating presence of Sahitya Akademi Awardees namely Translator and recipient of Sahitya Akademi Translation, 2020 Bhawani Adhikari who is also the president of Nepali Sahitya Parishad Manipur; recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award 2022 and Bal Sahitya Puraskar Award, 2011 Prof Koijam Shantibala Devi whose poems have also been published by Cambria Press, USA in the anthology of poetry titled, Borderlands of Asia, she is also the president of the Cultural Forum, Manipur and has also served as a member of the Manipuri Language Advisory Board for Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi; and Dr Wangthoi Khuman who won the Arambam Ibungohal and Binodkumari Literary Award, 2013 and Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, 2014 and was conferred Yuva Puraskar by Bharathiya Bhabha Parishad, Kolkata.

Further, Prof Imoba Singh elucidates the connected strings of Sanskrit and English and conveyed the importance of language for human existence. Celebrating the poets that has lived and is living, the event celebrate the pen that brushes in quiet solitude which has enrich the lives of people expanding the horizons of the voiceless and the bold.

Prof N Lokendra Singh, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University stresses the immense contribution of Manipuri Department in the field of enriching the essence of Manipuri Literature. He states that Manipur University is the USB of Manipuri thinkers cutting through cultural, geographical roots which encompasses the diverse cultural- linguistic populace in Manipur. He lauds the volume of poetry production in Manipur as a phenomenal legacy while expressing the unique ability of poems in capturing emotions.

The event sees the dawn of various delegates and students belonging to different culture from and outside of the state even stretching beyond the country from Myanmar and Bangladesh. The poetry recitation served as a beacon of hope, paving the path to understand empathy, and unity through language. The recitation allows the gathering to also pay homage to the poets who have graced the world with their divine gifts of language leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of our collective consciousness.

Prof I Gambhir Singh concluded the event by extending gratitude to the various contributions provided for the success of the event. He enumerated the significant role of poetry weaved in songs and reminds the gathering about the penetrating features of poetry in creating a shared community , transcending differences of race, religion, culture and ideology. While signifying the observation of World Poetry Day, he states, “when language dies, culture dies”.

The event sailed through in promoting linguistic diversity and cultural heritage fostering creativity and inspiring dialogue to celebrate the rich tapestry of language and culture.