Mysuru: As part of the Mysuru Dasara festivities, the five-day Bahuroopi Kavisgoshti (poets’ meet) will be held from October 13 to 17 at the B M Sri Auditorium of the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS), University of Mysore, at Manasagangothri.
The poetry festival will bring together more than 200 poets and feature five distinct sessions covering humour, young and emerging writers, youth poetry, folk traditions and the main poetry gathering.
The details of the programme were announced at a press conference on Wednesday by Bahuroopi Kavisgoshti sub-committee Deputy Special Officer M Dasegowda and working president Nanjaiah Honganur.
Five poetry sessions planned
The five-day event will feature Chutuku-Hasya Kavisgoshti, Yuva Kavisgoshti, Chiguru Kavisgoshti, Janapada Kavisgoshti and the Pradhana Kavisgoshti.
Renowned writer Vaidehi will inaugurate the overall event on October 13.
The organisers said the programme has been designed to provide a platform for established poets as well as young and emerging writers, while also showcasing different forms of Kannada poetry.
Chutuku-Hasya session on October 13
Following the main inauguration on October 13, the Chutuku-Hasya Kavisgoshti will be inaugurated by cinema and theatre personality ‘Mukhyamantri’ Chandru.
Writer H R Sujatha will participate as the chief guest.
The session will focus on short and humorous poetry, offering audiences an opportunity to experience the lighter and satirical dimensions of Kannada poetic expression.
Yuva Kavisgoshti on October 14
The Yuva Kavisgoshti will be held on October 14.
Poet K Sharifa will inaugurate the session, which will be presided over by poet H Govindaiah. Satyananda Patrote will participate as the chief guest, while Kannada film lyricist Hrudaya Shiva will be the special invitee.
The session is expected to provide young poets with a platform to present their works before an audience during the Dasara celebrations.
Chiguru session to feature child prodigy
The Chiguru Kavisgoshti, scheduled for October 15, will focus on introducing emerging and up-and-coming writers.
Children’s writer Biligiri Krishnamurthy will inaugurate the session, while writer Agrahara Krishnamurthy will preside over the programme. Writer Kavita Kusugal will participate as the chief guest.
A special attraction will be the participation of Tanish, a child prodigy from Kolar, as the ‘Chiguru Guest’.
Folk poetry session on October 16
The Janapada Kavisgoshti will be held on October 16, focusing on folk poetry and traditions.
Scholar P K Rajashekara will inaugurate the session. Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushotama Bilimale will preside over the programme, while writer Rajappa Dalavayi will participate as the chief guest.
The session will highlight the role of folk traditions in Kannada literary and cultural expression.
Main poetry gathering on October 17
The five-day programme will conclude with the Pradhana Kavisgoshti on October 17.
Poet Pratibha Nandakumar will inaugurate the main poetry session, which will be presided over by poet Allamaprabhu Bettadooru. Cultural thinker Subbu Holeyar will participate as the chief guest.
The organisers said the programme would mark a departure from tradition in several ways.
For the first time in several years, a woman writer has been given the opportunity to inaugurate the main event. Women poets have also been selected to inaugurate three of the five poetry sessions.
Overseas Kannada poets to feature
Another attraction of the Bahuroopi Kavisgoshti will be the screening of video recordings of poetry recitations by Kannadigas living abroad.
This will enable audiences in Mysuru to experience poetry performances by Kannada-speaking communities outside India as part of the Dasara literary celebrations.
The organisers have also planned an opportunity for visitors to take selfies with participating poets, adding an interactive element to the literary event.
With its mix of established writers, young poets, folk voices and emerging literary talent, the five-day Bahuroopi Kavisgoshti is set to form part of the cultural and literary programmes accompanying Mysuru Dasara.