The eighth Bengaluru Poetry Festival (BPF) drew poetry enthusiasts from across India over the weekend, showcasing a vibrant mix of languages and artistic expressions. With around 4,000 attendees and over 50 participants, the festival highlighted the rich tapestry of poetry in English, Kannada, Hindi, Gujarati, and more.
Co-founder Subodh Sankar reported strong attendance, noting about 2,000 visitors on the first day and a solid turnout on the second day. The event featured prominent poets like Saumya Joshi and Jeet Thayil, alongside discussions on legendary figures such as Kabir and Sahir Ludhianvi. Attendees also enjoyed a bookstore, workshops, and performances integrating poetry with music and dance.
Notable guests included folk singer Ila Arun, who embraced the festival’s fusion of poetry and music, and author Ashis Ghatak, who praised the event for keeping poetry alive. Carnatic musician G Ravikiran found the festival’s exploration of 19th-century poet Muthuswamy Dikshitar particularly engaging.
Children were also catered to with the Children’s Poetry Festival (CPF), featuring performances, workshops, and interactive activities. Storyteller Vikram Shridhar highlighted CPF’s success, with increased participation and diverse activities.
Attendees like Bharat Ramamurthy from Zurich and local teacher Devi Sastry appreciated the festival’s intellectual and cultural depth, reaffirming its role as a crucial platform for poetic and artistic exploration.
