Brave new voices of Kerala

poetry slam modeled after ther World famous poetry slam
of the United States of America.
Poetry slam of the US has a history of over 25 years. Started in Chicago in November 1984, the 25th year of the competitions was celebrated in a grand gala fashion with the finalists of the nation wide competition in the US meeting the President Barak Obama at the White House. HBO came out with a special documentary film on the Poetry Slam with US actor/director Kamilah Forbes donning the role of Executive Producer. This documentary was screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram in December 2009. Kamilah visited Kerala state capital in connection with the screening.

The US Consulate General Chennai, took it as a befitting occasion to organize the first ever poetry slam in India in Kerala. The slam was conducted in two languages – Malayalam and English. The preliminary rounds were done at Mar Ivanious College Thiruvananthapuram (Dec 10) and at DC Books Kottayam (Dec 12). Those who got the selection and some new entrants recited poems at the Final at Vyloppilly Cultural Centre Thiruvananthapuram on December 15.

The US Consulate General Chennai organized this programme in association with Vyloppilly Cultural Centre, Asianet News, DC books, Mar Ivanious College Thiruvananthapuram and Keraltoday.com.

Kamilah Forbes was the Judge for English in the preliminary and Final competition. Mr. S. Krishnakumar – Editor Encyclopedia, Kerala Encyclopedia judged the Malayalam section at the preliminary round at Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Ajayan – Senior Editor, DC Books and Mr. Sreekumar Publication Editor DC books, were the Judges for Malayalam section at the preliminary round at Kottayam.

Mr. Prabha Varma – a renowned poet and News Director Kairlai Television was the Judge for Malayalam section in the Final.

Featured poets Dr. D. Vianayachandran, Anitha Thampi, Murukan Kattakkada and Kallara Ajayan set the stage for Malayalam poets in the Final, mean while Babitha Justin took up that part for the English section.
  • One of the participants of Brave New Voicess Kerala Aiswaray T. Aneesh's skills lauded
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  • Ms. Babitha Justin - featured poet performing at the finals on December 15, 2009 at the Vyloppilli Cultural Centre Trivandrum
  • Ms. Indira Vijayan - 1st Placed Brave New Voice Kerala - Judges' selection Malayalam Section Performing at the finals on December 12, 2009 at Vyloppilli Cultural Centre Trivandrum
 
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  • The organizing committee for preliminary competition at Kottayam (From left to right) Lalu Joseph, Kattori, Ajayan (Judge Malayalam section), Sreekumar (Judge Malayalam section), Kamilah Forbes, C. Vijayakumar, Jaison Thekkekkara and KS Bijukumar
  • Krishnakumar (Judge Malayalam section) during the preliminary competition at Thiruvananthapuram
  • KS Bijukumar briefing the participants at Kottayam preliminary competition
  • KS Bijukumar briefing the participants at Thiruvananthapuram preliminary competition
  • Participants at Thiruvananthapuram preliminary competition
  • Ragini Gupta, KS Bijukumar, featured poet Anitha Thampi and Lalu Joseph at the organizing committee meeting at Thiruvananthapuram
  • Ragini Gupta, Lalu Joseph and Summy Samuel (Sound Engineer) at the organizing committee meeting at Thiruvananthapuram
  • Participants at Kottayam listening to Kamilah Forbes
  • Lalu Joseph, Managing Editor Keraltoday.com, C. Viajaykumar, Non Liner Editor Keraltoday.com and Krishnakumar – Judge Malayalam Section Thiruvananthapuram in organizing committee meeting chaired by Ragini Gupta – Consul Cultural Affairs US Consulate General Chennai
  • Ms. Indu Thampi – 1st placed Brave New Voice Kerala – Audience Choice English section
  • KS Bijukumar – Cultural Expert US Consulate General Chennai and Jaison Thekkekkara, Coordinating Editor Keraltoday.com answering questions from participants at Kottayam
  • Kamilah Forbes inaugurating preliminary competition at Kottayam, KS Bijukumar looks on
  • Kamilah Forbes's inaugural speech at Kottayam, Ms. Kattori from US is also seen
  • Kamilah Forbes inaugurating preliminary competition at Thiruvananthapuram
  • Kamilah Forbes, Lalu Joseph and Krishnakumar (Judge Malayalam section) over viewing preliminary competition at Thiruvananthapuram
  • Mrs. Kavitha – 1st placed Brave New Voice Kerala – Audience Choice Malayalam Section
  • Kamilah Forbes with Mr. Jaison Thekkekkara at Kottayam
  • The organizing committee for preliminary competition at Kottayam (From left to right) Lalu Joseph, Kattori, Ajayan (Judge Malayalam section), Sreekumar (Judge Malayalam section), Kamilah Forbes, C. Vijayakumar, Jaison Thekkekkara and KS Bijukumar
  • Krishnakumar (Judge Malayalam section) during the preliminary competition at Thiruvananthapuram
  • KS Bijukumar briefing the participants at Kottayam preliminary competition
  • KS Bijukumar briefing the participants at Thiruvananthapuram preliminary competition
  • Participants at Thiruvananthapuram preliminary competition
  • Ragini Gupta, KS Bijukumar, featured poet Anitha Thampi and Lalu Joseph at the organizing committee meeting at Thiruvananthapuram
  • Ragini Gupta, Lalu Joseph and Summy Samuel (Sound Engineer) at the organizing committee meeting at Thiruvananthapuram
  • Ms. Simy Dixon – 1st placed Brave New Voice Kerala – Judge's selection English section

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