logo
The summer of poetry is here in Chennai

The summer of poetry is here in Chennai

The Hindu28-04-2025
April might scream summer, long weekends, school vacations but for a quiet bunch in Chennai, it means something else. It is the National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo), a celebration of poetry where poets around the world take up the challenge of writing a poem a day, all month long.
Every April, poetry organisations around the world dish out daily prompts to get creative, and Chennai's poetry communities are right in step. 'We share prompts at 6 p.m., in both Tamil and English on our social media, and many show up to write from wide-eyed first timers to published poets,' says Padmavathi, organiser of Deleted Drafts, who has been writing daily herself this month.
But the awareness and exposure about poetry communities and challenges still seems lacking in the city. 'We need more visibility, starting from colleges, to help more people discover these challenges,' she adds.
Varshini Rajasekhar, a creative strategist from Chennai is attempting NaPoWriMo for the first time, and she is proud to keep it rolling even as April nears its end. 'I spend the day collecting metaphors, words and stray thoughts for the next prompt. The next morning right after I wake up, I sit and string together. I have readers who wait for my poems, and this is my way of showing up both for myself and the little community formed around this challenge,' says Ms Varshini.
Vidya, a city manager at Kommuneity, has been setting the stage for poets to gather, hosting events where people write to prompts, create collective collages, recite their poems, and get feedback too. At one such event on Sunday, poets gathered for a NaPoWriMo workshop in Ashok Nagar, where they drew one word to sentence long prompts from a box. But they didn't stop at the words, they brought each prompt to life by sketching images inspired by them, then spun those visuals into Haikus and poems.
As someone also taking on the daily writing challenge, Vidya says, 'I dedicate at least 30 minutes to an hour every day to write this month. Challenges like this build consistency, discipline and a room to experiment,' says Ms Vidya.
'Poetry communities in Chennai are very reserved space. Even when well-known poets come to the city, the crowd is thin. These spaces need to be democratised and open to everyone,' she said.
'Of course, showing up every day to write is the real challenge,' says Ms Padmavathi. 'People picking up pen and paper again just to write makes me happy, especially after AI Ghibli trends,' she says. But the scariest part for the poetry community, the AI-generated 'poems' have already started sneaking into the challenge which prompt-givers were quick to call out. 'AI-generated work defeats the whole purpose of this challenge. Using that, your original voice gets drowned amidst the sea of identical AI generated work,' Ms Varshini points out.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Shooting spots: an iconic landmark that lends grandeur to the silver screen
Shooting spots: an iconic landmark that lends grandeur to the silver screen

The Hindu

time3 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Shooting spots: an iconic landmark that lends grandeur to the silver screen

In the heart of Chennai, the towering stone chariot that houses the ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar's statue in Valluvar Kottam has been a silent witness to countless public gatherings and cultural events and occasionally, to the magic of cinema unfolding beneath its shadow. Just as the iconic landmark has long been a familiar backdrop for political rallies and protest meetings, the monument's sprawling premises — with its giant chariot, massive carved wheels, and mirror-sheen flooring — has set the tone for soft-paced movie song sequences filmed under the night lights. One of the most memorable on-screen moments shot at Valluvar Kottam is the one from the timeless song Mounamana Neram in the Tamil film Salangai Oli, starring Kamal Haasan and Jaya Prada. The sequence opens with the granite wheels and its intricate textures dominating the frame and creating a calm ambience in sync with the song's gentle melody. The glossy flooring, mirroring the actors' silhouettes in a few shots, lends a perfect visual cue in harmony with the song's lyrics and mood. The grandeur of the Valluvar Kottam has been featured in several other Tamil films since 1980s. In yet another popular duet Seer Kondu Vaa from the film Naan Paadum Paadal, featuring actors Sivakumar and Ambika, the majestic granite elephants at the base of the chariot and the pillars along the corridor draped in grey and black hues form the regal backdrop that complements the lead pair's charm. Spread over five acres, Valluvar Kottam was constructed between 1974 and 1976 as a memorial monument for Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar. Its spectacular architecture was designed by architect V. Ganapati Stapathi. It also featured in the comedy scenes from Coimbatore Mappillai, featuring actors Vijay and Goundamani as unemployed characters idling away at a public place. Jayanthi Kannappan of ALS Productions and daughter-in-law of veteran producer recalled memories of Ponnar Shankar, a Tamil historical drama film starring Prasanth. Many scenes in the film, which was based on the former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's novel, were shot in Valluvar Kottam. 'I used to visit the massive set that recreated an ancient town in stunning detail, complete with traditional houses and warriors carrying swords and bows. It used to transport me to a bygone era and some scenes were filmed in the main hall. The set remained for three or four months. Kalaignar often visited the shooting spot,' she said. Recently, the monument received a major facelift at a cost of ₹80 crore.

Coolie Box Office Collection Day 2: Biggest opener of 2025, Rajinikanth's movie crosses ₹100 crore milestone
Coolie Box Office Collection Day 2: Biggest opener of 2025, Rajinikanth's movie crosses ₹100 crore milestone

Mint

time5 hours ago

  • Mint

Coolie Box Office Collection Day 2: Biggest opener of 2025, Rajinikanth's movie crosses ₹100 crore milestone

Coolie Box Office Collection Day 2: Coolie, which is already leading all 2025 releases in India to be the biggest opener of the year, has now crossed the ₹ 100 crore milestone at the Indian box office. Released on Thursday, August 14, superstar Rajinikanth's movie is setting the bar for domestic box office performance this year. Coolie has been released in five languages: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, boosting its pan-India appeal. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has already surpassed the ₹ 100 crore milestone in just two days. On Friday, August 15, the Rajinikanth movie minted ₹ 40.57 crore. With this, the record-breaking, Coolie's 2-day total stands at ₹ 105.57 crore. Sacnilk said ticket prices surged dramatically, reaching as high as ₹ 4,500 in Chennai. Both the superstar actor and the hit filmmaker achieved their personal career-best opening day with Coolie ( ₹ 65 crore), surpassing all previous films in their respective records. Coolie became the first Tamil movie to cross the 150 crores worldwide mark on its opening day, cementing its place in cinematic history, said Sacnilk. Minting ₹ 153 crore globally, Coolie is the biggest Indian opener of 2025 at the worldwide box office. Singapore even granted paid leave for fans wanting to watch Coolie on opening day. Trade analysts estimate it needs around ₹ 600 crore worldwide to be considered a hit. Coolie is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. It is backed by Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures. In addition to Rajinikanth in the lead, the film also stars Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and Monisha Blessy. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is also a part of the film in a cameo role as Daaha. Anirudh R scored the music and the songs of Coolie. The film has received mixed reactions from netizens so far. At the box office, it is clashing with Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR's War 2.

Labubu Dolls Counterfeit Alert: How to Spot Fake vs. Real Collectibles
Labubu Dolls Counterfeit Alert: How to Spot Fake vs. Real Collectibles

Time of India

time6 hours ago

  • Time of India

Labubu Dolls Counterfeit Alert: How to Spot Fake vs. Real Collectibles

Labubu dolls have rapidly become a favorite collectible toys in recent years, attracting a global fanbase with their quirky 'ugly-cute' designs. However, authorities worldwide are issuing urgent warnings as counterfeit Labubu dolls continue to appear in stores and online platforms. Marketed as Pop Mart's 'The Monsters Big Into Energy Vinyl Collectible Dolls,' these fake imitation toys have raised alarms due to potential safety risks and quality issues. Labubu Dolls: A Unique Collectible Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and distributed via Pop Mart, are celebrated for their distinctive 'ugly-cute' design. The dolls have significantly gained a devoted global following on social media platforms like TikTok, with collectors often showcasing their rare finds. Their limited editions and distinctive aesthetics have made Labubu dolls highly desirable, creating a strong market for genuine products. Emergence of Counterfeit Dolls Unfortunately, the rising popularity of Labubu dolls has led to a surge in counterfeit products. These fake versions are being sold digitally and in stores, including in markets across the UK and Ireland. While these copies have the appearance of the originals, they often fail to meet the quality and safety standards of genuine dolls. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Authorities, including the UK's Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), have issued alerts about these counterfeit toys. The fake dolls mostly contain small detachable parts such as eyes, hands, and feet, which can result in choking hazards for young children. Parents and collectors are strongly advised to exercise caution while purchasing these toys, particularly from unofficial sellers. How to Identify Authentic Labubu Dolls To ensure a Labubu doll is genuine, buyers should consider several key factors: Live Events Packaging Quality: Real Labubu dolls come in well-designed boxes with clear printing and consistent colors. The Pop Mart logo is stamped on the doll's left foot, and a QR code on the packaging should link to Pop Mart's official authentication website. Safety and Compliance Marks: Genuine dolls sold in the UK carry a UKCA or CE mark, indicating compliance with safety standards. The packaging lists a UK-based importer or manufacturer and includes proper warnings and instructions. Doll Features: Authentic Labubu dolls have certain characteristics, such as exactly nine teeth, precise stitching, and balanced coloring. Counterfeit dolls may show uneven stitching, overly bright colors, or other design inconsistencies. QR Code Verification: Scanning the QR code should lead to Pop Mart's official website. Fake dolls may either have no QR code or direct users to non-official sites. Steps to Take If You Own a Fake Doll If there is any suspicion that a doll is counterfeit, it is advisable to stop using it immediately. Products should be returned to the retailer for a refund or replacement. For online purchases, it is recommended that buyers should contact the seller directly and report the item to the relevant consumer protection authorities, to prevent further circulation of unsafe products. FAQs: Q1. What are Labubu dolls? A1. Collectible toys with a quirky 'ugly-cute' design, created by artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart. Q2. Why are Labubu dolls popular? A2. Their unique design, limited editions, and social media presence have made them highly sought after by collectors.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store