Batley’s Gujarati Writers Forum held an inspiring event to launch two new poetry books celebrating the talent of the town. During the evening programme at the PKWA centre creative minds revelled at the poetic offering in the presence of distinguished guests including the first Poet Laureate of Birmingham, Mr Brian Lewis, Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood and chief guest from India Dr Jayendra Shekhdiwala.
Guests had an opportunity to hear of the contribution local Gujarati poets have made including the first Gujarati poetry recital which took place in Batley back in 1971 and subsequently the international events held in the town hall. A rich history has led to the publication of some 12 books since the formation of GWF in 1990.
The evening saw the launch of Batley Blooms, a book comprising of poetry written by budding young local poets form local secondary schools. Contributions were made from Zakaria Muslim Girls’ High School, Batley Girls’ High School and Batley Business & Enterprise College. In the course of the event three young poets; Anas Daji, Amina Abid and Salman Daji read out their poems featured in Batley Blooms.
The second book launched was a work by GWF chairman Mr Ahmad Gul OBE. His book, Fireplace, speaks the thoughts of a newly arrived immigrant in the cold winters of the early 1960’s and how comparative thoughts of his home village and the new town would run through his mind whilst huddled around an old coal fire with his fellow lodgers.
Both works exuberate a strength of passion and are thought provoking in their own right.
University professor and internationally renowned poet Dr Shekhdiwala, whose poetry is included in the education syllabus in Gujarat, officially launched Fireplace and said the works of Ahmad Gul are world class. He said Fireplace spoke about his fascination about India and impressively talks about a scholar from India who arrives in England to work as a factory worker then becomes a scholar again in his own community. Dr Shekhdiwala added how local feelings are being described in the book in a global manner.
Ahmed Gul said inspiration behind Batley Blooms came from a similar book published in 2010 called New Voices. He added, “We [Gujarati Writers] are in our evening time. We want to pave a way of that literary to the younger generation.”
Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood officially launched Batley Blooms and spoke of his first encounter with GWF after becoming an MP when he was invited at a poetry convention held in the Town Hall.
Other dignitaries included Malcolm Haigh BEM, Batley Smile’s Mark Griffin, Dr Adam Tankarvi and Cllr Shabbir Pandor.
