After revolutionary Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathi ushered in the ‘New Verses’ or ‘Puthu Kavithai’ era almost a century ago, has the Tamil literary world made new strides in poetry writing? City Express takes a look at the scenario on the occasion of the World Poetry Day that is observed today.
Bharathi inspired poets and writers to break the ‘rule-shackles’ of traditional form of writing poetry and went on to write Sol Pudhithu Porul Pudhithu Sothimigu Navakavithai (New Word, New Meaning, a Poem with Light).
After Bharathi, it was Na Pichamurthy who followed the path. He is considered as an icon for Pudhu Kavithai (New poetry form) as Pudhimaipithan for short stories. After Pichamurthy, came Vaanambaadigal literary group which nurtured many poets and developed the culture of writing poems in new and attractive formats.
Now, the Tamil poetry is witnessing many more new forms such as Haikku, Etku, Cellphone Kavithaigal, Ticket Kavithaigal, Pin Naveenathuva Kavithaigal. Also it is not only the forms but more and ‘never before’ themes are now being taken up. As writer Sujatha once said, ‘even Naidu Hall innerwear has become a subject for a poem today.’
No wonder, conventional form of poetry writing, which is referred as Marabu Kavithaigal, and Kaviyaranga Kavithaigal do not have many takers among the youth today.
Poet and lyricist Yuga Bharathi said the 1970s and 80s, witnessed Ezhuchi Kavithaigal that dealt with social issues. More and more present day poems have concepts like self-esteem and self-pride more than any thing else.
Poet Arivumathi, Editor, Thai, a Tamil magazine entirely dedicated for poems said it was Bharathi and Bharathidhasan who gave new blood to Tamil poetry. “A big chunk of today’s poems reflect the pain of the oppressed by using new formats.”
Kutty Revathi, another young poet explained how poetry had now become a powerful tool to oppose violence against women.Poet Kavinmalar pointed out how poetry reading has new and more takers now. “Recently, in Salem renowned writers from across the state came together to review 18 poetry collections that were released in Chennai Book Fair this year. It shows the growing patronage for poems and new ideas and issues that are used.”
Eminent poet Mu Metha happily noted that many youngsters write poems on a wide variety of subjects and appealed that it should be encouraged. Truly, Tamil poetry writing has come a long way since the New Verses age of Bharathi.