Writer calls for saving poetry in the age of AI

Spontaneously reciting the prose of Kannada legendary poets in her inaugural address, renowned writer Vaidehi called upon the audience to save Kannada poetry from the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI).

Inaugurating the five-day event of Bahurupi Kavigoshti (Poets’ Meet) organised at B.M. Sri Auditorium of the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies as part of Dasara festival, under the University of Mysore on Tuesday, Ms Vaidehi spoke about the essence of poetry and said that poetries transcend time. Poetry begins with a mother’s lullaby, making her Adi Kavi(first poet), she said. Vaidehi also recited the poetic lines of ‘Gokula Nirgamana’ by poet P. T. Narasimhachar.

Emphasising the importance of choice of words in poetry, she said that ornamental expressions were not necessary, simple words carrying deeper meaning could be more powerful, as found in William Wordsworth’s poem Daffodils, she said.

Vaidehi concluded her address after reciting her own poetry ‘Tilisaru’.

The first poetry session Hasya Chutuku Kavigoshti (Humour and Limerick Poets’ Meet) was inaugurated by cinema actor and theatre artist Mukhyamanthri Chandru on Tuesday. Yuva Kavigoshti (Young Poets’ Meet) will be held on October 14, followed by Chiguru Kavigoshti (Budding Poets’ Meet) scheduled to be held on October 15, Janapada Kavigoshti(Folk Poets) will be on October 16 and Pradhana Kavigoshti is scheduled for on October 17.

During Bahurupi Kavighoshti inaugural session, Loknath N.K., Vice Chancellor of University of Mysore, Cinema actor Mukhyamanthri Chandru and MLA Harish Gowda and others were present.