Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Javed Akhtar Criticizes Lack of Poetry in Education
Javed Akhtar, a famous poet and lyricist, spoke at a big book event in Kolkata.
He said that schools and colleges in India have not given enough attention to poetry and literature in the last 50 years.
He also mentioned that while fewer people are reading Urdu, more are reading Urdu poems, which is a bit strange.
Akhtar believes poetry is important because it expresses the feelings of society and people who can't speak up.
He also talked about how poetry is not straightforward but has many layers.
He advised not to fear writing about difficult topics like religion, but to be careful.
He said that every creative person expresses themselves differently, and poetry can come from feelings of dissatisfaction with society.
Javed Akhtar criticized the education system for not giving enough importance to literature and poetry in the last 50 years.
He noted a contradiction where fewer people are reading Urdu, but more are reading Urdu poems.
Akhtar described poetry as the voice of society and the silent, expressing emotions like love, confession, and angst.
He discussed how different poets express themselves differently and that poetry is layered and not straightforward.
Akhtar advised not to fear writing about difficult topics like religion but to be careful and respectful.
- Who
- Javed Akhtar, legendary lyricist and poet
- What
- Criticism of the education system for not giving enough importance to literature and poetry
- When
- January 23
- Where
- Kolkata, during the Exide Kolkata Literary Meet
- Why
- To highlight the decline in the importance of literature and poetry in the education system
- Person
- Javed Akhtar
- Event
- Exide Kolkata Literary Meet
- Location
- Kolkata, Mumbai
- Date
- January 23
- Topic
- Poetry and Literature in Education
