Kavi Sammelan (Hindi:कवि सम्मेलन) is a gathering of poets in theHindi Belt of northernIndia. The participants recite their poetry to each other and have a general discussion on literary issues. This may take place among the poets but is mostly done before an audience. Kavi sammelan specifically dedicated to comedy (Hāsya) and satire ("Vyangya") are known asHasya Kavi Sammelan.
The first grand kavi sammelan was organized in the year1920, which included many poets and large audiences. After that, kavi sammelan became a large part of Indian culture. TheMushaira ofUrdu poetry and the Hindi Kavi Sammelan are now often combined, and 'Mushaira-cum-Kavi Sammelan' is organised throughout theHindustani speaking world.[1]
In India, the period from Indian independence in 1947 to the early 1980s was a golden phase for kavi sammelan. From the mid-1980s up to the late 1990s, the Indian population, and especially its youth, was suffering from issues such as unemployment. This took its toll on kavi sammelan, as did newer modes of entertainment such as television and the internet, as well as the quantity of Indian cinema releases. Kavi sammelans had started losing their standing in Indian culture, both in terms of quantity and quality.[citation needed]
In the era beforeeconomic liberalization(1991), kavi sammelans were a popular part of everyday life. They were often broadcast on the state-ownedDoordarshan TV network. Post-liberalization, with increasing westernization and proliferation of electronic media, the frequency of such gatherings has reduced. One good trend that has been observed in Kavi-Sammelan is that, it has taken its roots in other countries too. With its increasing frequency across the globe. Moreover, now many Indian television channels giving airtime to programmes based on Hindi poetry recitations likeWah! Wah! Kya Baat Hai!, Kavi-Sammelan have got a fresh breath of life with increased audience base and liking.
Hindi Kavi sammelans are organized across the globe. The US,[2][3][4] Dubai,[5] Muscat, Singapore,[6] UK are the places that organize highest number of kavi sammelans after India. In most of the kavi sammelans organized in these countries, the poets are generally invited from India.
