Pen, Poetry and Mic 08: Set Your Words Free

Pen, Poetry and Mic 08: Set Your Words Free

A poem a day keeps psychiatrist away. For some, poetry is a nourishment of the soul. For others, it's a catharsis of disturbing emotions. Whatever be the propelling factor, what matters ultimately is to read and to listen to some appealing poetic attempts. The concept of open mic is prevalent in many western countries and now it's rapidly getting acceptance in Indian cities as well. Ahmedabad is no exception. Open mic is a sort of open platform where you can simply come and manifest whatsoever creativity you have - poetry, prose, stand up comedy, mimicry, singing and so on.

These days, open mics are mushrooming in Ahmedabad but few have sustained quality in later seasons. For example, Pen Poetry and Mic. Credit goes to Dilip Rangwani - key person behind the event. There are people who are really passionate about aesthetics and who work selflessly and tirelessly to create a space for budding poets. Dilip Rangwani is one such guy. I have been witnessing tremendous hard-work, meticulous precision and dedication that he and his team have invested in Pen, Poetry and Mic right from Season 01 to Season 08. They started with Ahmedabad and now they have stretched their wings to Baroda, Surat, Mumbai, Indor etc.

What attracts the youth the most is that the organizers video-shoot each performance and upload it on their YouTube channel (Flashback Stories) from where budding writers can fetch and share their videos. Digital documentation is the need of the hour and sadly, Gujarati literature is lagging behind in it.

I got an opportunity to compere this unique Poet's Meet where around 20 creative guys and girls presented their feelings. Language was no barrier for them. It ranged from Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu (including Hindustani) to English.

If literature (in general) is on my mind 24×7, poetry resides in my bone marrow. Hence, I thoroughly enjoyed anchoring the event where I not only got to enjoy fresh poetry but I could also cite some gems by stalwarts like Ghalib, Gulzar, Mareez, Nida Fazli, Wordsworth, Keats, Ramesh Parekh, Mukul Choksi, Bashir Badra etc.

Imagine a scene. A boy comes up for the first time, his face brimming with nervousness and reads his poem. A girl talks about her creative writing process. A man recites his ghazal in Tarannum (sings it in accordance with meters). Aah... it's so soothing to witness all of them. Themes range from universal human emotions to personal experiences, social problems like gender discrimination, nostalgia of school life to rozy dreams for future.

Major attraction of the season were Arpan Christy and Chaula Doshi - two renowned poets and art-practitioners who joined us on our special request. It was enthralling to listen to their works.

Shading all modesty, let me unabashedly accept that I got not just warm but huge response and accolades for my anchoring. Needless to say, it has triggered my creative urges and passion to soar higher in the sky of aesthetics.

It's a crime unpardonable to formally thank friends so I wouldn't dare to thank Keyur Trivedi, Dilip Rangwani, Kuldip Brahmbhatt and my beloved wife cum bestie Darshita. Keep rocking buddies! Blessed be the name of God!