Hasn’t poetry, many times, helped us express those deep and profound feelings that are often difficult to express? Hasn’t it given us wings to fly? And hasn’t it soothed our anxiety? Hasn’t it also captivated our spirit and mind as nothing else can? Then, it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that poetry is to the language what the soul is to the human body. Really, poetry is an affirmation of the fact that all humans, irrespective of cultural, religious, and linguistic differences, share the same feelings and emotions.
And today is a day to honour this cornerstone of oral tradition – poetry. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) commemorates 21st March as ‘World Poetry Day.’
According to the official website, one of the primary purposes of this day is “to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.”
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Further, this day is observed to pay our respects to the poets of the world, to foreground the role of poetry in cultural and linguistic expression, revive the practices of poetry recitals and oral traditions, and bring about a beautiful confluence between poetry and other forms of art such as theatre and music. We believe this is also a great opportunity for youngsters to get reconnected to their roots and look at the world with a new perspective.
The World Poetry Day was adopted by UNESCO during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999.
Do let us know who your favourite poets are and which of their poems are close to your heart.
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