Comments for Poetry Unbound

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Produced by Stephen Grant

Other pieces by Stephen Grant

Summary: International poet Mani Rao, a recent writer-in-residence at the University of Iowa International Writing Program, has received world-wide recognition for her poetry. She joins producer Stephen Grant for an interview to discuss how time and control play out in her writing and poetry's broadcast potential on radio.
 

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Review of Poetry Unbound

Near the beginning of this interview the interviewer says that there are those who believe that poetry doesn't translate very well on radio. I'm one of those who agree with Rao's answer that poetry is, on the contrary, very effective on radio using the power and force of sound to best advantage. Her poetry, mixed with music is very absorbing and intriguing. Her use of music actually makes you listen even more to the potency of the words. Unfortunately, I feel that there are not enough examples of her work in this piece and the interview itself is a bit turgid. A series of questions that never really get beyond a superficial response. I'm sure that Rao's an interesting woman with an interesting slant on life and her surroundings but her power in this interview comes from listening to her work and not to the conversation.