As part of the British Council’s International Sudent Exchange initiative, a collaborative poetry session on nature poets of India,UK,England and Malaysia was held between students of SK Saujana Utama Ijok School, Malaysia, and Seth Anandram Jaipuria School Kanpur, India. This one-time virtual session provided students a unique opportunity to engage in cultural and creative dialogue through poetry.
The main objective of the exchange was to explore various poetic forms and to provide a platform for students to share and experience poetry as a universal art form. Rather than focusing on traditional or national formats, the session encouraged creativity, collaboration, and an appreciation for poetry in all its diversity.
The Malaysian students introduced their peers to poetic forms such as pantun and syair, which are central to the Malay literary tradition. Their performances were thoughtful and expressive, often drawing on cultural themes, nature, and community values. The poetic rhythm and imagery used sparked a lot of interest and admiration among the Indian students.
In turn, students from Seth Anandram Jaipuria School shared original poems written in English. These poems explored a wide range of themes, including identity, nature, emotions, and the role of youth in society. Rather than focusing on any one poetic structure, the emphasis was on voice, creativity, and emotional resonance.
Following the performances, students were placed into mixed groups to engage in a collaborative poetry-writing exercise. This proved to be a highlight of the session. Each group was tasked with crafting a short poem that reflected a blend of their ideas, drawing inspiration from each other’s culture and poetic style. The resulting pieces were heartfelt, imaginative, and often reflective of the shared human experiences that connect us across borders.
It was a great fun filled session.
