Defence Colony
4 March 2017

Urdu and poetry has found many takers in Delhi NCR. No wonder events like Jashn-e-Rekhta is in its second season and has managed to bring celebrities like Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi etc. Along with these big events around poetry and shayari, smaller and informal poetry events are also happening in Delhi.

One such event, a Poetry Slam, was organised recently and we attended with friends. The venue, a basement at Defence Colony was a calm and serene spacious parlour with antique furniture and artistic décor.

The informal program had poets reading their works. For one hour that we attended, we heard poetry and shayari recital by Anchal Ghosh (pen name Anch) and Prakhar Malviya (pen name Kanha). Most of the pieces were about love and seperation. The poets stopped to explain the meanings of uncommon Urdu words. Fuss free and relaxed, the audience enjoyed connects that they could find with their personal lives. Sometimes silent, sometimes through applause, they appreciated the event whole heartedly. The harmonious atmosphere also encouraged entertaining discussion among the poets and audience.

The simplicity of the show…. not getting into heavy duty shaayari…. seemless interaction with the audience in between the poems….all this was new for us. It was a most stimulating experience.

Refreshments such as tea / juices and chips were provided during the course of the program.

The event was ticketed at a modest Rs. 150/- . Here are a few glimpses…