His poetry was fiery, the undercurrent of patriotism in it, strong. Her poetry about women was sensitive, the tone, a touch melancholic. Both spoke of today’s India. Together, poets duo Saurabh Suman and Anamika Ambar, scorched the stage. It was a fitting end to the first day of Odisha Literary Festival (OLF) 2013.
Saurabh, who started the proceedings with the menace of terrorism, recited: “Ek baar phir se Subhash maangta hai desh” to underscore the need for strong nationalism and sacrifice, which the country badly needs at the moment.
Saurabh’s lines “Abhi shwet khadi ki yeh andhi nehin chahiye, Dus bees saal abhi Gandhi nehin chahiye, Khoye hue sher ki talaash maangta hai desh, Ek baar phir se Subhash maangta hai desh” was received with a huge round of applause.
When Anamika took over the stage, she started with the current plight of women in the country, with references to Delhi and Mumbai incidents. The real tragedy is, she said, violence against women continues to occur despite the outrage expressed by the nation. A string of heart-touching poetry on how women form the core of human life touched a cord in the audience.
She, like Saurabh, ended the session with her poetry “Saheed Ke Bete Ki Deepavali” which exemplified the sacrifice of a martyr for the country __ “Mat ho udaas Maa jawab mujhe mil gaya, Maqsad mila jeene ka khwaab mil gaya, Papa ka jo kaam reh gaya adhura, lad kar ke desh ke liye karunga main pura...”