Poetry allows me to express myself: Kapil Sibal

Bangalore: Better known for his arguments in law courts and defence of Congress policies, lawyer and Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal says poetry helps him express his thoughts.

"Poetry enables me to put things in better perspective and has a lyrical quality and allows me to express myself in a more focused manner," Sibal said here Thursday evening at a function to promote his collection of poems "I Witness: Partial observations".

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Veteran Hindi actor Waheeda Rehman was the chief guest at the function where columnist Bachi Karkaria and TV journalist Maya Sharma 'grilled' Sibal on his poetry, politics and politicians.

Most of the 84 poems were 'penned' on a cell phone during long flights. The poems deal with topics ranging from terrorism, nanotechnology, Twenty20 and tsunami to feminism, motherhood, love and longing.

The essence of a thought could be expressed succinctly in blank verse, but for him the rhythm of rhyme was more attractive, Sibal told the gathering in response to Karkaria and Sharma's questions about the reason for choosing poetry to give expression to his thoughts.

"I have observed everything that I have penned in the book but they are of partial nature. No observation can be of holistic nature. I don't expect everyone to agree with me," said Sibal.

But the evening was not all about poetry. Sibal was forced to talk about politics.

"We (politicians) too are sensitive. We too have feelings like any other ordinary mortals. But my poetry is no propaganda. Through my poetry I have brought out an augmentative Indian," he said.

When asked about how much he has to compromise to survive in hot-bed of politics, Sibal said: "We all compromise in our lives."

"In every profession we have to make compromises, as we are in a system. But that does not mean that we don't try to change the system in our own way."

At the end of the more than an hour long evening, Sibal gifted Rehman a poem titled "The Nightingale of Indian Cinema".

"I am simply touched by his gesture. I am honoured to be a part of the event," Rehman said.
Source: IANS