Poet Kashinath Ambal urges vigilance against rising religious and ideological forces, emphasizing the societal role of ghazal poetry.
Bidar
Poets and the public need to remain vigilant against ideological and religious forces, advised poet Kashinath Ambal, President of the All Karnataka Second Ghazal Sammelan, during the conference organized by the Karnataka Ghazal Academy and Ativale Cultural Foundation at the city’s government employees’ community hall on Sunday.
Ambal highlighted that certain religious forces in power are promoting communalism and urged society to embrace values of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, equality, and harmony, drawing inspiration from saints like Buddha, Basava, Ambedkar, and Kabir. He expressed concern that pro-people and pro-life sentiments are diminishing, while illusions and selfish interests are on the rise.
“Poets grow from society and must serve its welfare,” he said, emphasizing that ghazal poetry—originating in Afghanistan, moving through Iran, and now flourishing in Kannada—carries a universal message of love and romance. Today, Kannada poetry boasts over a thousand ghazal poets, reflecting a literary richness comparable to the historic Vachana movement of the 12th century.
Ambal described poetry as inherently anti-war and non-violent, rooted in love, yet a powerful tool against authoritarian forces. He urged poets to continue contributing positively to society, reinforcing the role of literature as a medium for unity, compassion, and social consciousness.
“Through ghazals, let us strive to uphold the timeless human values that protect society from division and injustice,” Ambal concluded, highlighting the need for awareness and responsible artistic expression in today’s socio-political climate.