Pablo Neruda: The universal poet

An image of the poet (Top), Mosud Mannan (L) and Razima Selim reciting poems of Neruda at the function

The memorable evening kicked off with a recitation of Tonight I can write (from Viente poemas de amor y una cancion desesperada or Twenty poems of love and a song of despair, dated 1924). The English and Bangla versions of this poem were effectively rendered by Syed Mutaqillah and Mosud Mannan (currently director general in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and chief organiser, Meghdut) respectively. The controversial Viente collection, with its erotic overtones, has been translated into many languages. Over the decades, the work would rake in book lovers and prove to be his best-known work.

One only had to hear the excellent voice modulation and diction to realise how deeply the reciters had internalised the well- loved Tonight I can write. The evocative verse goes as:

"Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
Write, for example, 'The night is starry
And the stars are blue and shiver in the distance.
….I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her.
Love is so short, forgetting is so long…
Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
And these the last verses I write for her."

In addition to such love poems, Neruda is also known for his surrealist poems, historical epics and political manifestos.

Another of his poems that featured in the evening of recitation was Arte Poetica in Spanish by Razima Selim and in Bangla by Mannan. Other reciters who held the stage were Aminur Rashid, Naeem Mahbub and Kamrul Hasan.

After the recitations, Carlos Eduardo Mena K, vice minister for economy, Chile gave a laudatory speech on Neruda. To quote him, "Neruda was and is a great poet of all times. He was also a humanist and one of the human beings who discover their mission in this life. His poetry is a song to life in the most simple and profound sense."

Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Neruda's poetry truly cuts across all cultures. According to three members of Meghdut, Razima Selim, Kamrul Hasan and Nuzhat Mannan (all academicians), Neruda's revolutionary poetry mirrors the struggles against oppression of downtrodden people all around the world. "This evening showed how diverse cultures can have a meeting point and how hearts can meet as well," said Nuzhat.

Technical support for the function was provided by Morshed Mannan, Nuzhat, Arnab and Ifti.

Among the distinguished guests was renowned poet Asad Chowdhury who paid tribute to the brilliant Neruda. "We in Bangladesh identify ourselves not only with Chilean poets but also Mexican and Cuban bards. Neruda is a universal poet and not just Spanish," asserted Chowdhury.

All in all, an evening to remember for its great ambience, superb music and of course the moving recitation by poetry enthusiasts.