Polyrhythmic Aesthetics : Listening to Raharimanana's Poems

Abstract

Abstract

en Inspired by the re-reading of Senghor’s writings on rhythm by Souleymane Bachir Diagne and Babacar Mbaye Diop, this text suggests combining these approaches with the concept of “ekstasis” as conceived by Böhme in order to capture the rhythm (Senghor) and the atmosphere (Böhme) of an artwork to which the receiver/spectator/reader responds. The notion of “raison-étreinte”, literally “apprehension by embracement” as used by Senghor and highlighted by Diagne as a part of the process of creating a connection between the art work and the spectator/reader served as a starting point for a reading of poems by the Malagasy writer Jean Luc Raharimanana. His writings are inspired by the tunes, melodies and rhythms of single sounds, words that he uses as guidance in his writings. Furthermore, he accompanies himself during his lectures by playing the marovany. This contribution analyzes the process of creation during which the rhythm and sound of the words converge with a poetics of interval and the rhythm of breathing and the body.