Happy World’s Poet’s Day!

It is a day to celebrate people who use magic to transform their emotions into the written word & touch us in ways that makes us laugh, cry & ponder

On this day, we are remember some iconic poets-

1. Robert Forst

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference”

The Road Not Taken, Robert Forst

We all must have across this prose as a school student in our English Textbooks, but we tend to understand it’s meaning much later in life when we are perplexed with choices that look equally appealing & baffling. Robert Frost was born on 26th March 1874, in California, San Francisco. He was first professionally published in 1894 with The Independent, a weekly literary journal, for his poetry “My Butterfly: An Elegy.”

Known for his pieces around the genre of nature poetry, Forst is also renowned to be associated with themes of nostalgia, introspection, conversational & rural admiration.

He is a recipient of Pulitzer prize for poetry, Congressional Gold Medal, United States Poet Laurite among many others.

Fun fact- His famous poem, “The Road Not Taken” was originally written as a private joke! He used to take long walks in the woods with his friend Edward Thomas and they often used to argue over which way to go.

2. Gulzar

“Tere Jaane Se kuch Badla Nahin,

Raat bhi aayi thi aur chand bhi tha

Haan magar, neend nahin ayi”

-Gulzar

If you have felt love & heartbreak, you have felt Gulzar.

The man who revolutionized the theme of romance in Bollywood, his choices of words are known for pushing people into the ocean of memories of love.

Sampooran Singh Kalra (Gulzar) was born on18 August 1934 was born in Dina in the Jhelum district of undivided India. He is an Indian lyricist, poet & screenwriter.

S D Burman recognized his talent and gave him an opportunity as a songwriter for his movie, Bandini (1963). Post that, there was no looking back for him. He made phenomenal progress in the space of entertainment & literature.

In addition to Bollywood songs, his renowned works include the classic Jungle Book Song, “Jungle, Jungle Pata Chala Hai”, proses for Alice in the Wonderland etc. Awards like Sahitya Akademi, Padma Bhushan Dadasaheb Phalke Award along with his name, Gulzar Sahab continues to work his magic and leave us in a state of sweet nostalgia & longing

Fun fact- Before Gulzar Saab got his big break, he worked in motor garages where he used to create shades of color to paint & touch up cars.

3. Maya Angelou

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ...

- Maya Angelou

None of us can really forget what Maya Angelou makes us feel. A strong headed woman who comes from diverse work experiences, she is a role model and an inspiration for millions of people who believe in breaking the stereotypes and going for what they believe in.

Marguerite Annie Johnson was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928. “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Die” was her first published volume of poetry, in 1971 briefly after Caged Birds (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings) hit the stores and gained fame overnight. Her work revolves around the theme of autobiographical fiction.

With an extended list of honors & awards to her name, a poet, civil rights activist, a memoirist, she is a legacy in herself.

Fun fact- Maya Angelou, in her teens, dropped out of California Labor School where she was studying dance & drama on a scholarship to become a cable car conductor in San Francisco. She turned out to be the first black woman to conduct a cable car in San Francisco. She later confessed that she was attracted to their unique uniforms

4. Rumi

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you”

- Rumi

Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī, a 13th century Persian Poet is a genre in himself. He is known to be a spiritual scholar & a master of mystic teachings in Greater Iran. His works were originally written in Persian, but are currently present in over 20 languages.

His poetry has proven to be an inspiration for many literatures and cultures including Turkish, Urdu, Pashto etc.

Rumi’s words are interpreted in different ways and that is the beauty of his poetry. It gives a unique, yet a meaning which is very personal to the reader.

His works are purely based on the admiration & praises of the Supreme (God), giving spirituality a new found definition of love.

Fun fact- Madonna is said to be one of the biggest fans of Rumi. She has recorded the readings of his poetry.

Poets have known to contribute massively to the field of literature, art and entertainment. They have also inspired cultures to adopt diverse lifestyle. Their legacy lives on, even after they cease to exist and their work continues to be read & loved by generations thereon.

On the occasion of World’s Poet’s Day, Team Bibliophiliaa, extends a heartfelt tribute to every poet & poet lover.