Connecting Across Border (CAB) organised an International Poetry Conclave through Google Meet on May 14 on the theme ‘Families Today’, coinciding with International Mothers’ Day and International Families Day.
The 32 participants included eminent personalities from India, Albania, Canada, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, and Sri Lanka. Shreekumar Varma and Geeta Varma, celebrated writers from Neelankarai, were among the distinguished poets.
Padma Shri Dr.Sitanshu Yashaschandra, acclaimed poet, critic, literateur and academic, former Vice Chancellor of Saurashtra University, and recipient of several prestigious awards graced the Conclave as the chief guest.
Welcoming the gathering, Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy reiterated that it is our family that supports us through thick and thin, in times of confusion; when we are down, they lift us…. She believed that the thematic poetry reading on ‘Families Today’ was bound to discuss issues and solutions to problems of the “Polarised world, where the concept of family seemed to be slowly disappearing.”
Applauding the initiative, Dr.Sitanshu remarked that such a platform creates a ‘space’ for writers to strike roots into their own traditions, “The tree also throws up its branches into the sky to give shade to all…. We create an alternate world – a vikalpa vriksha or an alternate way to live and to ‘interact.’
All the distinguished poets presented their thematic poems with great vigour, bringing along insightful sensitivity and ringing bonhomie. Summarising the poems presented at the meet, Adyar resident Dr.Sridevi Selvaraj observed that the poems strongly represented two or three metaphors – the power of ‘touch’, the familial ‘nest’ and ‘light.’ “Domestic space is the place where individuals gain confidence to develop spiritual strength, no individual can be ignored. Every member of the institution is to be taken care of! Family guides us step by step, brick by brick. Even in cyberspace, we are closer and Love doesn’t fear distances. The family system will continue to remain strong. In the history of patriarchy, motherhood is celebrated; in today’s transition period the importance of family is recognised, even while people are adapting to living across the globe,” she said.
Along with Padmaja Iyengar, Gandhi Nagar resident Hema Ravi anchored the program and also proposed the vote of thanks. Vishnupriya provided excellent technical support in the presentation of the welcome video, display of poems etc.
The live recording of the event can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62rFGqY4JqQ
Connecting Across Border (CAB), India is an initiative of three diverse personalities Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy, Dr.Sridevi Selvaraj and Hema Ravi, bound by a common passion – poetry. CAB organises thematic international poetry conferences and panel discussions by inviting eminent personalities from India and overseas. For more information about the activities of CAB, please contact cab.poetry@gmail.com.
