CHANT

WHAT IS A CHANT?

Typically, a Chant is something which is repeated to emphasize on the subject. We have chants for supporting sports teams, devotional chants and more. Chant is as old as poetry itself and is also quite an easy form to write. Chants are poems with bases as repetitions and refrains. They are thus, easy to have by heart and are fun to read aloud. 

HOW TO WRITE A CHANT?

~The basic thing in Chant is that there are refrains. You need to repeat lines or stanzas. 

~The title can either be the refrain or something else like the first line or any fancy title. 

~Making use of rhymes is also helpful because the ultimate purpose of chants is to remember the poem easily and rhymes help in this.

EXAMPLE OF A CHANT:

BLOWS INTO SMITHEREENS

                                                                   ~Avaanthikha Narayan

As the sun blazes upon the horizon gloomily

the sweetheart’s heart blows into smithereens.

As the radio silence echoes through the dense jungle

the sweetheart’s heart blows into smithereens.

As the ripping tides dance to their song of sorrow

the sweetheart’s heart blows into smithereens.

As the moon gives her annihilating smile at the roads

the sweetheart’s heart blows into smithereens.

The repetition in this poem is the second line of each couplet: “the sweetheart’s heart blows into smithereens”. It makes the poem better and enjoyable.

TIPS TO WRITE A CHANT:

1. Just remember to have a refrain or repetition and use that frequently. Make the refrain refer to the subject matter so that it can be repeated quite easily and without diverting from the topic.

2. Remember to make the syllable count tally between the lines, that is, do not make a couplet with syllable count 2-10 or something. 

3. Give a nice title and use of rhymes is encouraged.

So start your chant now and make it the chant of the world!

~Avaanthikha Narayan

Team PoeTree FoRest