Poetry Contest 2017
Theme: Bauliana (The philosophy of the Bauls)
Theme Keywords: Equality, Humanism, Divine Love, Mysticism. (This list of keywords is just to help understand Bauliana and is not exhaustive in any way.)
The Bauls are a small heterogeneous syncretic group of mystic minstrels in Bengal with profound influence in the Bengali cultural tapestry and folk religion. They adhere to no major religion, but use symbols and imagery from all—including Sufi Islam, Sahajiya or Tantric Buddhism, Chaitanyite Vaisnavism, Hinduism, Christianity, and perhaps other religious strands not as easily identifiable–to express their deep spirituality, universal and divine love, humanity and equality, and an ascetic-like way of life through their songs. As a matter of fact, the only outward form of worship, rather soul-searching and self-expression, of the Bauls is in their songs.
Rabindranath Tagore was deeply influenced and many of his songs and writings were inspired by or about the Bauls.
Award Ceremony: 6:00pm Friday August 11, 2017.
Ceremony Venue: Studio B, Gateway Theater, 6500 Gilbert Road,
Richmond, BC, V7C 3V4, Canada
Shortlisted Entries (Top 10):
In alphabetical order by the poets’ last names.
The shortlisted poets are invited to read their entered poems during the Poetry Evening of the West Coast Tagore Festival 2017, at 6:00 pm on Friday August 11, 2017, at the Gateway Theater in Richmond, BC, Canada. The First, Second and Third Place winners will be announced at that time.
Theme Keywords: Equality, Humanism, Divine Love, Mysticism. (This list of keywords is just to help understand Bauliana and is not exhaustive in any way.)
The Bauls are a small heterogeneous syncretic group of mystic minstrels in Bengal with profound influence in the Bengali cultural tapestry and folk religion. They adhere to no major religion, but use symbols and imagery from all—including Sufi Islam, Sahajiya or Tantric Buddhism, Chaitanyite Vaisnavism, Hinduism, Christianity, and perhaps other religious strands not as easily identifiable–to express their deep spirituality, universal and divine love, humanity and equality, and an ascetic-like way of life through their songs. As a matter of fact, the only outward form of worship, rather soul-searching and self-expression, of the Bauls is in their songs.
Rabindranath Tagore was deeply influenced and many of his songs and writings were inspired by or about the Bauls.
Award Ceremony: 6:00pm Friday August 11, 2017.
Ceremony Venue: Studio B, Gateway Theater, 6500 Gilbert Road,
Richmond, BC, V7C 3V4, Canada
Shortlisted Entries (Top 10):
In alphabetical order by the poets’ last names.
- Nude, by Tapas Biswas
- Your World, by Angelina Gao
- Mystic Musings, by Kasturi Ghosh
- The Last Gardener of Aleppo, by Joyce Goodwin
- Stop It!, by Deborah L. Kelly
- Do You Know About The Wind?, by Leta Lagaunda
- Veni, Vidi, Amavi, by Sylvia Lee
- The Song of the Road, by Dev Mukerji
- Last Chance Party, by Lilija Valis
- Can’t Buy Peace, by Lozan Yamolky
The shortlisted poets are invited to read their entered poems during the Poetry Evening of the West Coast Tagore Festival 2017, at 6:00 pm on Friday August 11, 2017, at the Gateway Theater in Richmond, BC, Canada. The First, Second and Third Place winners will be announced at that time.