It was in the words of Carl Sandburg, who had very aptly said: “Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air”-- that Sunil Sonsi, the Joint Secretary of Writers’ Forum, Kuwait (WFK) welcomed the audience which had gathered in the auditorium of the Indian Community School (ICSK), Salmiya to celebrate India’s Republic Day on Friday, February 08, 2019.

It was grand evening that regaled with poetry. On no other platform - whether in India or elsewhere, facilitation of the recitation of poetry in ten and more Indian languages, can be heard and seen.

The Multi-Lingual Kavi-sammelan / Mushaira organised by WFK has become a much-awaited bi-annual event in Kuwait. It is a celebration of poetry; a celebration of the grandeur of our heritage; a celebration of the sheer number and inherent sweetness of the languages spoken in our country. And, WFK offers that unique platform on which all the languages of India can be recited and heard. While celebrating twenty four years of growth and blossom in Kuwait, the Writers’ Forum continues to encourage fresh talent in the realm of literature and its membership keeps expanding. Several new entrants to the Forum could be seen enthralling the audience with their creative works this year, as well.

The evening was inaugurated with the customary lighting of the lamp, lit by the Chief Guest for the evening—Mr Ranveer Bharti – 2nd Secretary, Counselor; Embassy of India, the President of the Forum –Ms. Maimuna Ali Chougle, the Vice President Mr. S. Qamar Minto, President of the evert Mr. Gangadhar and Mr. Vinay Muthyala – the President, Telangana Jagruti, Kuwait. Following the welcome address by Sunil Sonsi, the President of the Writers’ Forum-- Maimuna Ali Chougle felicitated the Chief Guest, and addressed the audience. She welcomed those present at the evening, and highlighted the significance of the Republic Day and the spirit behind organizing such a program. She dwelt on the unique identity of the Forum and also, spoke earnestly on the need to preserve the wealth that the diverse languages in India have bestowed us with. She urged the parents and teachers to encourage the children to speak and write in their regional languages. Her address was followed by the Chief Guest — Mr. Ranveer Bharti’s address wherein he expressed his wonder at the years of WFK’s unflinching commitment to creative prose and poetry in the diverse languages of India, and expressed his admiration at such a unique program being held by the Forum. Accompanying on the stage with the Chief guest was Mr. Faheem Ahmed – the General Secretary of Welfare India, Kuwait

While the sponsors of the evening were thanked for their generous contributions, the senior members of the WFK—S. Mohan Singh, Mr. Ali Chougle and Mr. Sunil Sonsi were also felicitated for their support to the event.

The rest of the evening was very well anchored by renowned Urdu poet—Sabir Omer Galsulkar and Madhulika Mohta, who write poetry in Urdu and Hindi/English respectivelly. At the outset of the evening, Mr. Gangadhar, the Principal, Indian Community School, Khaitan a very respectable stalwart in his profession was invited preside over it.

Mr. Ranveer Bharti, 2nd Secretary, Counselor was the Chief Guest. Mr. Vinay Muthyala – President, Telangana Jagruti, Kuwait and Mr. Faheem Ahmed, Genaral Secretary – Welfare India, Kuwait also graced the stage as guests of honor. Others who graces the stage were Ms. Maimuna Ali Chougle – the President of WFK & S. Qamar Minto – the Vice President. After the address by President of WFK & President of event, The anchors then invited the poets to recite, while adding a dash of poetry in Hindi and Urdu, even as they introduced them in style. The poems in the regional languages (other than in Hindi, Urdu, and English) were translated in Hindi for the convenience of the listeners. The translations were read out by Aamir Diwan.

The following poets read their poetic renditions:

Ameeruddin Ameer (Hindi), Aamir Diwan (Hindi), Biswa Ranjan (Odiya), Ms. Chaaya Athavale (Marathi), Ms. Chhaya Thakkar (Gujarati), Ms. Madhulika Mohta (English), Ms. Maimuna Ali CHougle (Urdu), Ms. Kalpana Shah (Gujrati), Ms. Nazneen Ali (Hindi), Sabir Omer Galsulkar (Urdu), Ibrahim Sange Qasid (Urdu), Dr (Ms) Radhika Bhardwaaj (Hindi), Rajiv Athavale (Gujarati), Ms. Priyanka Banarwal (Hindi), Ms. Pallavi Nitin (Marathi, Ravin Singh (Hindi), Dr (Ms) Sabiha Bilgrami (English), Ms Kavita Sarvesh (Hindi), Sayeed Nazar Kadapavi (Urdu), Sunil Sonsi (Hindi), Syed Qamar Minto (Urdu), Tushar Misra (Odiya), PV Rao (Telugu) and Vibheesh Tikkodi (Malayalam).

Providing platform to budding writers is one of the mottos of WFK. And main attraction of the events was induction of three budding poets. Ms. Kashish Bhardwaj (Class 11, Carmel School - Hindi), Ms. Mahika Baswa (Class 6, Kuwait English Schoo - Englishl) and Ms. Simran (Class 9, Indian Community School - Hindi) left the audience spell bound with their self composed poetry.

The evening concluded with address by Mr. Vinay Muthyala & Mr. Fahim Ahmed who appreciated the ethos and spirit on which stood the one-of-its-kind Writers’ Forum for more than two decades. Finally, a formal vote of thanks was extended by Sunil Sonsi--the Joint Secretary of the Forum. The three-hour plus marathon session of poetry in the vivid languages of our country, brought to the fore several emotions. Besides the fact that every language is rich and the expressions therein stir the soul, the thoughts of the writers were so beautifully woven in words that the audience left with much to reflect and savour for a long time to come.