Literary Diplomacy: International Book Discussion on Sastri Bakry’s Poetry Anthology “Verses from the Soul” Fosters Stronger Indonesia–India Cultural Relations
Padang, INDONESIA, September 26th, 2025 – SUARAANAKNEGERINEWS.COM — Poetry once again demonstrated its role as a cultural ambassador during the international discussion of Verses from the Soul, a bilingual anthology (English–Bangla) by Indonesian poet Sastri Bakry. The event, hosted online via Zoom on Friday evening (September 26, 2025), was jointly organized by ISISAR India and SatuPena West Sumatra. Bakry, who also chairs SatuPena West Sumatra, has been widely recognized as a voice bridging nations through literature.
Opening the discussion with remarks in English, Armaidi Tanjung, Secretary of SatuPena West Sumatra, emphasized that the participation of writers and literary enthusiasts from Indonesia and India underscores literature’s power to foster cross-cultural solidarity.
“Verses from the Soul takes us on a journey of emotions, thoughts, and reflections expressed with elegance. It is not merely a poetry collection, but a celebration of shared human experience that transcends borders and languages,” said Armaidi.
He also highlighted that just days earlier, Bakry’s poem Sakti had been discussed at PDS HB Jassin, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta — signaling growing recognition of her work on the national stage.
The discussion brought together distinguished speakers from across nations and disciplines, including Aminur Rahman (Bangladesh), Dr. Sudipta Chatterjee (poet and translator, India), Prof. Siamir Marulafau (poet and academic, Aceh), Dr. Endut Ahadiat (Bung Hatta University), Dr. Rina Marnita (Faculty of Humanities, Andalas University), and Prof. Chye Retty Isnendes (Indonesia University of Education).
Dr. Sudipta Chatterjee underscored the enthusiasm among students and poets in Bangalore toward the anthology, which inspired him to translate the work into Bangla.
“The poems in Verses from the Soul resonate deeply with the spirit of the poet, making them compelling to read. That is why I felt compelled to translate the book, so it may reach and inspire a wider audience,” he noted.
Bangladeshi poet and IMLF consultant Aminur Rahman added that the translation of Sastri Bakry’s poetry into Bangla illustrates the growing literary exchange between Indonesia and India.
Meanwhile, four Indonesian academics presented critical perspectives on Bakry’s work, recognizing her poetry as a powerful expression of the soul — voicing resistance against injustice, unveiling tyranny, celebrating love, and capturing life’s realities with profound sensitivity.
The evening concluded with poetry readings by Azizah Abdul Azis (Malaysia) and Sastri Bakry herself. The event reaffirmed that literary diplomacy is not an abstract idea but a lived experience — poetry has the power to unite nations, deepen friendships, and strengthen cultural bridges between Indonesia and India.
(Leni Marlina, Suaraanaknegerinews.com)
