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“Vishwakavyacha Sanskruti Utsav” Brings Together Voices of the World at Minangkabau International Literacy Festival 4 in Indonesia
Padang, Indonesia — The fourth edition of the Minangkabau International Literacy Festival (MILF 4) will witness the publication of a landmark Marathi-language anthology of world poetry titled Vishwakavyacha Sanskruti Utsav (“Cultural Celebration of Universal Poetry”), bringing together poetic voices from across continents in a celebration of literary dialogue and cultural understanding.
The anthology, translated into Marathi by renowned Indian scholar and poet Dr. Prithviraj Taur, features poems by 31 distinguished poets representing 23 countries. Conceived as a bridge between cultures, the collection introduces Marathi readers to some of the most significant contemporary poetic voices from around the globe.
Dr. Taur described the anthology as an effort to present “important global poets of our time” to Indian readers through the richness and accessibility of the Marathi language.
The poets featured in the anthology are:
Ashraf Aboul-Yazid (Ashraf Dali) from Egypt; Aminur Rahman from Bangladesh; Anna Keiko from China; Catherine Susan Tati from Malaysia; Chanandhinda Chuern from Thailand; Namri H. Jamaluddin from Brunei Darussalam; TB Mohamed Arief Hetman from Indonesia; Terekhin Vadim Fyodorovich from Russia; Danilo José Ureña from Nicaragua; Diktrik Sadikin from Indonesia; Francisco Muñoz Soler from Spain; Berthold Damshäuser from Germany; Bhishma Upreti from Nepal; Mira Gusniwati from Indonesia; Manuel Alejandro Ceballos from Mexico; Mohsen K. Rahnaward (Iranian-American); Yusuf Liu Naojun from Malaysia; Lucilla Trapazzo from Switzerland; Les Wicks from Australia; Lenny Merdawati from Indonesia; Lenny Marlina from Indonesia; Luna Maria López from Puerto Rico; Lebogang Lance Nawa from South Africa; Laura Di Corcia from Switzerland; Rohani Day from Singapore; Sankha Sutra Devvarman from India; Sagina di Canio from Italy; Sastri Bakry from Indonesia; Syagir Garufa from Indonesia; Sohel M. Haji Abdul Rahman from the Philippines; and Hanan Awwad from Palestine.
About Dr. Prithviraj Taur
Dr. Prithviraj Taur serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Marathi at Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, Maharashtra, India. He has also served as a member of university academic councils and currently holds the responsibility of Director of the School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies.
Widely recognized as a poet, short story writer, critic, translator, and editor, Dr. Taur has authored and edited around 30 books. On January 26, 2025, he was invited by the President of India to attend the prestigious “At Home” ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. His acclaimed book Mazi Shantatesathi received the prestigious Na. Chi. Tamhankar State Literary Award presented by the Government of Maharashtra. He was also honored with a Silver Medal by the World Organization of Writers in Moscow, Russia, while the National Writers’ Association of South Africa conferred upon him the “Friends of NWASA” Award.
Dr. Taur is a member of the Language Advisory Committee of the Government of Maharashtra and also serves on the Editorial Board of the Maharashtra Gazetteer Board.
Internationally active in literary circles, he has participated in several major literary festivals, including the Sixth LIFFT and the Cairo Book Fair in Egypt, the Second World Congress of Writers in Moscow, and the BRICS Youth Poetry Festival in Beijing, China. He also delivered the keynote address at the First World Children’s Literature Conference held in Antalya, Türkiye.
About Prof. Swati Haribhau Kate
Prof. Swati Haribhau Kate serves as Head of the Department of Sociology at People’s College, established in 1950 in Nanded by Swami Ramanand Teerth. “Women and Child Welfare” is her principal area of academic specialization.
Her research focuses on women’s entry into non-traditional professions, including an important study on women bus conductors. Her fieldwork and studies on “Progressive Women Farmers in Maharashtra” are also regarded as significant contributions to sociological scholarship.
Prof. Kate has edited seven books. Her edited volume Srujanpankh received special recognition. She has also edited Jaduchya Siya, Basarachi Granthapal, Goshti Pustak Japnaryanchya, Marathwada Muktisangramachi Smrutichitre, Vishwasetu Anandotsavacha, and Shalechi Kavita. One of her works was included as a reference text in the university curriculum.
She has been honored with the Children’s Literature Award by Bharat Vidyalaya and Ankur Vachan Mandir, as well as the Godavari Literary Award presented by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune. She also serves as a member of the Sociology Board of Studies of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University.
The publication of Vishwakavyacha Sanskruti Utsav at the Minangkabau International Literacy Festival highlights the growing role of translation in strengthening global literary exchange and fostering deeper cultural understanding through poetry.
