Lens of Light: celebrating South Asian poetry at Christ Church
Last night Christ Church hosted Lens of Light: An Evening of South Asian Poetry – a vibrant celebration of South Asian voices, languages and traditions.
Organised by the Oxford Poetry Society in collaboration with several Oxford University student societies – including AfghanSoc, BanglaSoc, IranSoc, IndiaSoc, Majlis, the Oxford South Asian Arts Society and PakistanSoc – the event brought together student poets for an evening of creativity, reflection and shared culture.
DPhil candidate in Computer Science Jayroop Pramesh, Co-president of the Oxford Poetry Society, compèred the evening, introducing a diverse lineup of student poets who presented original works as well as classical poetry stretching back centuries from figures such as Rumi, Hafiz and Saadi. Each speaker introduced their chosen poem, performed it in the original language and then offered an English interpretation, creating a rich tapestry of sound and meaning.
The performances reflected the extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity of South Asia, featuring poetry in languages including Persian, Bengali and Urdu. Themes ranged from folklore and faith to family, identity and displacement – with some poets drawing on the experiences of their parents and grandparents, and others responding to recent political upheavals or personal journeys. Particularly moving moments included the recitation of a Rumi poem by a member of the recently formed AfghanSoc, and the reading of two poems written by performers’ own parents.
There was room, too, for humour: a member of PakistanSoc entertained the audience with an original comedic poem about a Pakistani student’s experience of coming to Oxford.
It was a joy to co-organise the event and host the Oxford University Poetry Society at Christ Church, and I look forward to many more such gatherings.
It was a joy to co-organise the event and host the Oxford University Poetry Society at Christ Church, and I look forward to many more such gatherings.
The evening concluded with a delicious biryani selection, entertainingly wheeled over on a trolley and enjoyed amid lively conversation and laughter.
Speaking afterwards, one of the event’s organisers, Christ Church DPhil candidate and GCR Poetry Officer Althea Sovani, said: ‘This was my first event as the GCR Poetry Officer here at Christ Church and it was a beautiful way to start. I have always felt an urge to broaden my perspectives, which led me first to study Sanskrit alongside Classics in my BA and then to become a historical linguist; learning languages is my way of drawing closer to the poetry and traditions of different cultures. This evening gave me the opportunity of taking yet another small step in this direction. It is a privilege to study in such a diverse and fascinating place as Oxford is and I was proud that we hosted this event at our College.’
Another organiser, Christ Church DPhil candidate and GCR Minorities Officer Aniq Rahman, reflected on what the event meant to him: ‘Growing up in a family rooted in Sufi traditions, I often listened to my father recite verses by Amir Khusrau, Iqbal Lahori, and Shams Tabrizi, among others. Those early moments inspired my own love for poetry. The event brought together people from across South Asia to share poetry in their own languages, a heartwarming reflection of Oxford’s cultural richness. It was a joy to co-organise the event and host the Oxford University Poetry Society at Christ Church, and I look forward to many more such gatherings.’
Lens of Light offered not only a celebration of poetic traditions but also a space for connection – a reminder of how poetry can link people to their identities, their heritage and one another.
Select the image below to view a video from the event.
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