Heart�s poems in Vibrant Variances
Thato Kala | Thursday December 4, 2014 11:01
The book was published last month, shortly before her visit to India where she performed at Kritya – an international festival of poetry.
Heart sent the organisers 10 of her pieces beforehand including well-known poems, such as Child Of My Mother and Mmammoledi. This was to ensure Hindi and Malayam speakers would be able to follow her poems during recital.
“When we read the poems, for some people to understand, they translated so that locals in India would understand. I was surprised. I thought they would publish the book during my visit, but they did that before the event,” she told Showbiz, adding that it had been her best trip ever.
She further said she was impressed by their level of professionalism and was challenged to notch up her game. Heart capped off the exciting trip with a meeting with India’s Minister of Culture on her final evening in India and hopes the trip opens up avenues to work with the South Asian country’s poets. “I am working with several other poets. Maybe this was my last time to go there alone. I want to take other poets, who have potential and interest, with me next year,” she said.
An Indian publication, The Hindu, recently hailed Heart saying she was ‘one of those people with incredibly infectious energy that could even overcome the post-lunch drowsiness’. In reference to her performance, the paper wrote that she looked completely at home on stage. She also taught fellow participants a few simple dance steps.
“People often dismiss me as a little crazy because I have so much energy. All I do is pray every morning and this meditative spiritual start to the day keeps me positive,” Heart told The Hindu.
She added that she regards herself as an activist first, and that most of her poetry revolves around social issues.
“I speak about women empowerment and their education. I encourage those who have graduated to learn skills that make them employable so that they are not dependent on men. Art is not only for entertainment but also for education, to help pass on a message. It can also heal,” she said.