PASIGHAT, Oct 10: Contemporary Hindi poetry transcends ideological boundaries and serves as a form of resistance against dominant cultural practices, said Dr Arundhati, Assistant Professor at Satyawati College, University of Delhi, while delivering a special lecture at Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) on Thursday.
The lecture on contemporary Hindi poetry and feminist discourse was organised by the university’s Department of Hindi in collaboration with the Central Hindi Directorate under the Union Ministry of Education as part of its Pradhyapak Vyakhyan Mala programme.
Tracing the evolution of contemporary poetry from the Renaissance, Dr Arundhati said poets across generations had shaped the literary landscape by sensitively portraying diverse human experiences, including those reflected in everyday life.
Focusing on women’s voices in contemporary poetry, she referred to poets Katyayani and Anamika to discuss women’s expression, identity and position in society. She also highlighted the contributions of Adivasi writers and the lived experiences reflected in their works.
“Women’s liberation is not limited to women alone but is closely linked to the liberation of society as a whole,” she said, adding that feminism helps build a more equal and sensitive society.
She observed that contemporary poetry seeks to articulate multiple layers of reality and resist market-driven values.
Earlier welcoming the speaker, programme coordinator Nanang Yirang, Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty), said the lecture would help MA Hindi students gain a deeper understanding of their syllabus through expert insights.
The lecture was followed by an interactive session, during which research scholars and students engaged with the speaker. Dr Arundhati encouraged students to create platforms for creative expression and incorporate Arunachal Pradesh’s experiences, cultural sensibilities and local realities into Hindi poetry.
Head of the Department Dr Ing Perme thanked the speaker for explaining curricular themes in a simple and comprehensive manner and said the department would organise more such lectures to broaden students’ academic exposure.
The programme concluded with research scholars and postgraduate students presenting their original poems and songs.