It was a day that saw expression in different forms. A splash of vibrant colours brought out the essence of Haiku poetry, beginning a subtle romance of verses and palette. March 2001 saw the inauguration of the India Poetry Festival 2001 and the exhibition of paintings of Haiku Poetry. Dr. M. Fakhruddin, the poet himself had never thought that the depth of Haiku Poetry could be so aptly portrayed through paintings. It was Mrs. Bhavana Jain, a painter who dabbles with poetry who came out with this unique idea. Dr. M. Fakhruddin saw the superb interpretation of his lines and says: "the painter has portrayed the images I conceived so beautifully, with meaningful visuals and impressive colour schemes".

So, goes the lines of Dr. M. Fakhruddin's Haiku and so one sees the magnificent art in colour they can almost hear their voices ring the words above. A treat to the mind and eyes!

The festival was a platform for many enthusiasts from all over India and aborad to present their papers and related work. Literary critics, teachers, professors and poets had an opportunity to discuss their views. Subjects like 'Indian English Poetry' were discussed in depth. Mr. Srinivas Rangaswamy, from Chennai who translated classical poetry of Subramanian Bharathi from Tamil to English has the audience in raptures. A poet, critic and translator, Mr. Rangaswamy felt that today, poetry, far from being obsolete, has come to acquire an urgent relevance, as the redeemer of the human race. He recalled the words of President John F. Kennedy, who in the course of his address during the dedication of the 'Robert Frost Library' in November 1963 reminded his fellowmen : "When power narrows the areas of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses. What better way to explain the depth of poetry? Mr. Ramaswamy further went on to say that a poem is like a jewel you can hold in your hand, admire and be lost in its captivating luminosity.

As another delegate, Amiya Kanti Das put it, poetry, irrespective of languages and style has always been regarded at all ages as the highest form of art on the earth; poetry transmits the essence of feeling into the character of a 'space-time event' phenomenon - a joy of life and the language of the soul.

Shobha Chanana, a teacher from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bangalore, who was a part of the Poets International Seminar 2001 traced back the history of the Indian poetry and its structural beauty. In her paper, she sketches the medieval period beginning 1200 AD, when saints and mystics brought wisdom of the ancients, using the medium of the ancients, using the medium of the song in their spiritual mission. She further says that, this very same Indian expression spread its traditional fragrance through English verse in the poems of the first Indian poet Derozia (1809-1831)

The event not only paved the way for aspiring poets, it also launched a video cassette on a World Seminar held in July 2000 where the origin and techniques of the Japanese metre, Sitigotyo were discussed. Dr. Kazuyosi Ikeda who is a scientist by profession took keen interest in poetry and came out with a unique structural form of poetry written in English. Today he is a world-renowned poet and the video gives a deep insight into the poetry and the life of the poet himself. Poets International plans to bring out video cassettes for education and learning which will gradually cover all aspects of literature and music based on literature and poetry.

Dr. M. Fakhruddin who has a passion for the verses and has dedicated his life for spreading the fragrance of poetry around, is keen to promote and help young poets grow. His journal gives one a glimpse of the trend all over the world, as he has poets from distant corners contributing to his journal. One may write poetry in any form, he says, but stresses the need to keep in mind the poetic grammar and structure, which is the only way one's poetry, will live longer.

Indian English poetry is here to stay, bloom and blossom and spread its richness around. As one of the delegates drew a translation of the popular Hindi film number...........

     Dr. Fakhruddin is the recipient of : "THE KUMAMOTO INTERNATIONAL KUSAMAKURA HAIKU COMPETITION 2000", from Japan.

Italian Diploma "A Poem For The Life" Prize
From Edizioni Universum, Via Giovanni Pedrotti 2, Trento 38100. ITALY :

SONNET

Prime time of your prime age is passing by,
Longing for the one who's not nearby;
As the burning candle weeps in silence,
Hope against hope strengthens your confidence.
But to trust someone and share virgin love,
Needs self-confidence and do all for love;
Submissive one must be when love is true;
Merge soul within soul for the sublime love.
Secret of life is to live for the day,
And enjoy sweet moments of ecstasy;
Trust not past or future, time changes all,
No one is true to self, Love tempts we fall;
Any can write; but who can write to move
Heart within heart? - a valentine of love.

                                   (Mohammed Fakhruddin)