Ode to resilience: Paying tribute to the survivors of the Japan earthquake

Event organised by Embassy of Japan where students recite translations of Haiku poems.

ISLAMABAD:

“Marking the end of another year…Snowfall," translated a Japanese verse, recited by Sundus Munnawar, at the Haiku recital held at the National Art Gallery here on Tuesday.

The event was organised by the Embassy of Japan, in collaboration with the Pakistan Haiku Society and National University of Modern Languages (NUML) and National University of Science and Technology. Chairperson Pakistan Academy of Letters, Iftikhar Arif, was the presiding poet and chief guest.

A student of Japanese language at NUML, Sundus was joined by 18 other amateur and renowned Pakistani Haiku poets, who recited two translations of Haiku poems composed by the famous Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa.

Inspired by the technique, some presented their original poems, evocative and subtle. The participants paid their respects to the poet through verse and essays, while offering glimpses into his traumatic life.

A form of Japanese poetry, Haiku is an unrhymed verse, written in 5-7-5 syllabic form, usually in three lines. It is the most precise, compact and condensed poetry originating from Japan.

Reflecting on diverse themes, recited poems ranged from the mundane, everyday things to the disasters of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The traditional poetry form originating from Japan is slowly but surely gathering momentum in modern times and expanding to the rest of the world.

The exchange of inspiring poetry and generous plaudits was an encouraging sign for aspiring Haiku poets.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2011.