‘College poetry’: an equivocation

OF late Malawi is experiencing an upsurge of poetic compositions coming from men and women of creative writing from university colleges which are aimed outsmarting each other.

With Hudson Chamasowa setting the pace to coming up with rhythmical compositions of specific college praise in his poem 'Chirunga ndiye khumbo langa;' his successors aim at demeaning that pride with counter attacks.

Chamasowa says his writing of the poem about Chancellor College was meant to express college lifestyle to his institution.

"When I wrote 'Chirunga ndiye khumbo langa' I was trying to instil a hard working spirit in secondary school students to work towards enrolling into Chancellor College. I never intended to demean other colleges in my writing," said Chamasowa.

In contrast, his counterparts from Polytechnic, Catholic University (CU) and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) formerly Bunda College of Agriculture scandalise the other colleges in Malawi with their poetry.

In essence, Polytechnic College poet Given Chichitike writing his piece of poetry; 'Takulandirani pa Poly' (Part I and II) sets as a genesis to the growth in the aggressive poetic compositions.

Critics blame the composition as it unjustifiably extols the Polytechnic while reducing other colleges as insignificant.

The artist, however, said his writing was never meant to demean the pride of other colleges or any other business.

"There is no rivalry as people may construe in my poems. 'Takulandilani pa Poly' firstly, was meant for Poly audience but its reception has extended to the outside. Secondly, 'Takulandirani pa Poly' (Part II) was

to express the plight of Poly that other businesses in Blantyre are exploiting," said Chichitike.

"I have written other poems like 'Nchiyani kodi a Malawi' for the public. This is why I have never recited 'Takulandilani pa Poly' outside Poly precinct," he said.

The trend seems to be overwhelmingly rising with others joining the bandwagon just to surpass the others by illegitimatising their counter-parts.

He further said that poets should not use such poems as an excuse to personally attack others rather it should define their reasons.

"It is disheartening to note that other poets are using Hudson's 'Chirunga ndiye khumbo langa' and my 'Takulandirani pa Poly' as a scape-goat for personal insults; if I was a Chanco student, I would have written one for the institution," said Chichitike.

Both Chamasowa and Chichitike said that despite being criticised for specifically uplifting their institutions; they have had positive responses mostly from secondary students who have been motivated with their writing.

Paul Sakwiya of Catholic University came with 'Chanco ndi Poly Mwatilemera' with Luanar represented by Isa Zuze releasing 'Pa Bunda Siposewera' to answer to counter the poetry from their friends.

However, Poetry Association of Malawi (Pam) General Secretary, Madalitso Nyambo said that regardless of how inspiring such poems are, they are discouraged.

"We strive as an association to ensure that creativity of our members should not aim at damaging the others' reputation. However, there are instances where we fail to regulate the release of such poems," said Nyambo.