Sept. 10: Almost two decades ago, the city’s celebrated poets joined hands to form a common platform for their movement to promote serious and good poetry in the entire state. Though it had a glorious past, the organisation thus formed, Assam Kavi Samaj, is now going through its worst phase with a dwindling number of workers and no permanent place to meet.

Considering the importance of such an organisation and its current plight, its members have decided to revive the almost defunct society and bring back the glorious days of Assamese poetry. The decision was taken when they met today at the residence of the society’s vice-president, Pitambar Das, at Lachit Nagar.

“The stress is on creating an atmosphere of cooperation and unity for making the society strong and powerful. The society will also bring more and more young poets into its fold to encourage them,” said Das.

Established in 1988, the organisation is the first well-integrated effort from the state’s poets to work together for the growth and development of Assamese poetry.

Many popular and award winning poets of yesteryears were its members. Sahitya Akademi awardee Ajit Baruah is in the advisory board of the society, which has its branches in different parts of the state.

“Though we have between 5,000 and 6,000 members in the state, somehow we have failed to work for the cause of poetry in an integrated manner. Our aim is not only to conduct poetry recitation sessions, but also to bring forth the best of young poets to the forefront,” said Das.

The members of the society are also planning to visit the schools and colleges in the city to encourage students with literary skills.

The society has identified Cotton College as the hub of young poets with enough talents for making it big in the national poetry circuit.

“It is difficult for young poets to make their presence felt on a big platform without any help. Our job is to identify these talents and give them as much exposure as possible. If we come across some really talented ones, we are also planning to publish their works,” Das said.

Shiva Prasad Bora, one of the budding poets here, is elated to learn that the society will try its best to encourage young poets. “Most of our works end up in school and college magazines. With the efforts of the society, we are hopeful of making our presence felt in public spaces,” he said.

Realising that lack of space is one of the main constraints for the poets to meet on a regular basis, the organisation has decided to construct its own building. The society currently has no permanent place to sit, discuss and enjoy poetry and hence, the members are forced to meet in the residence of one of them once or twice in a year.

“Once we have our own building, we can meet more often to discuss and solve problems with a greater force,” said Das.