THE SPIRIT OF TRIVENI
WORLD HAIKU UTSAV 2016
Some days I strike really lucky.
The Pune International Lit fest on 2nd Sep.'16 gave me an opportunity to attend a Haiku workshop by Kala Ramesh, a renowned Haiku poet and teacher at Symbiosis, Pune. She is bursting with energy and a passion for teaching and promoting Haiku and other forms of Japanese poetry. Her infectious enthusiasm soon had me in it's fold. I was enthralled by the beauty and aesthetics of this art form.
I want to thank Kala for the warmth with which she added me to the haiku family.
Her teaching method is a unique blend of modern methods combined with traditional Indian knowledge of music and arts.She set our mood by asking us to close our eyes and listen to soul lifting music which transported us into a magic world of poetry. Only a vocalist of her caliber could have done this. Her whole body spoke with such illustrative gestures and postures connecting poetry to our senses as well.Thank you Kala for all those wonderful days and the way you introduced me to this wonderful world of haiku and guided my efforts at writing in this form
Kala Ramesh with " Naad Anunaad "
LAUNCH OF TRIVENI AT SYMBIOSIS International, Pune with a Haiku and Haibun workshop.
The next step was to attend Triveni, World International Haiku Utsav, a four day fun filled festival held from 22nd Sep.'16 onwards, organized by Kala and her team -all accomplished poets, teachers, dancers and artists. The participants came from all over the world-Japan, U.K.,USA, Australia, Ghana, and from all over India-Chandigarh to Chennai, Calcutta to Gujarat, Kerala to Delhi.
Attempting Haiku
Dr. Sucheta Chapekar
A classical Bharat Natyam performance by Dr. Sucheta Chapekar, an Earth song by a young artist and soulful rendering by Mariko in Japanese translated equally brilliantly by Akila, added to the entertainment at the opening of the Utsav. The launch of ' Naad Anunaad ' the first Indian anthology of contemporary world haiku. It was a well attended function at Vishwabhavan, Symbiosis, Pune ,with luminaries from Japan and India attending it.
Ballerinas
The next three days were days full of poetry, fun, food and dance. The general bonhomie and camaraderie gave one a great feeling of belonging. There were published authors and their books were available. It was a happy, friendly crowd among which I soon felt comfortable. The participants were of all ages and professions. We were treated to narrations of some of the best haiku and mingled with poets of repute . Kala with her commentary, interspersed at intervals, wove a tapestry of great cultural richness.
Mariko's soulful rendition with Akila's translation left the audience enthralled
Looking forward to my next haiku treat.
P.S.-- I wish to thank all those whose photographs I have used in this post and apologize for not taking their permission as I have got all the names mixed up from the various posts.
