Poetry Corners - a 'poetic' way to prevent family violence

Poetry written in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and English is featured in an exhibition in Craigieburn, Victoria, with the motive of taking the family violence prevention campaign down to the grassroots.

Nayana Bhandari (front, left) and the other facilitators involved in producing Poetry Corners Source: Supplied

The exhibition named 'Poetry Corners' is now open at the Craigieburn Library in Victoria, which is open to public everyday until April 2017.

Poetry corners at Craigieburn Library, Vic Source: Supplied

It all began in November last year, when women from various multicultural backgrounds were invited to participate in this innovative project. "None of the women had ever written poetry before, and just brought their personal experiences with them", says Nayana Bhandari, one of the facilitators of this project.

Women aged from their teens to the seventies participated in the initial workshops, where various techniques were used to "trigger" them into writing poetry for the first time.

Poetry in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and English are showcased in this exhibition Source: Supplied

"The women were from diverse communities - there was an elderly Punjabi lady, a woman from Pakistan, another from Nepal and they preferred to write in their own language. That's how we have poetry in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu showcased in this exhibition, alongside writings in English", explains Nayana. Many of the younger women, although from multicultural backgrouunds were born and / or brought in Australia, and they chose to express themselves in English.

Various participants in the Poetry Corners workshops Source: Supplied

The result is 'Poetry Corners', an artisitc exploration of intense emotions expressed by women of various ethnicities, with the main intention of starting a conversation about family violence in the wider community. 

The exhibition also includes a video enactment of "One in three", which has both male and female participants from various communities.

Nayana Bhandari - left, at Poetry Corners Source: Supplied

Poetry Corners showcases poetry in four languages, including Punjabi Source: Supplied

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au  In an emergency, call 000.