Latest news with #Chor
New Indian Express
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Bengaluru Poetry Festival explores beauty of verse
Poets, lyricists, filmmakers, musicians, and literateurs of all kinds came together to celebrate the beauty of verse at the Bengaluru Poetry Festival (BPF) at Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha across two days. The 9th edition drew an impressive crowd that attended panels on writing poetry, lyrics and more, alongside a Children's Poetry Festival. The event also celebrated poetry in the form of lyrics through performances and conversations featuring singer-songwriters like Ramya Nambessan, Bruce Lee Mani, among others. Singer Justh, who rose to fame with the viral single Chor, performed the song alongside his latest, Unse Jaake Kehdo, that had the audience, teeming with youngsters, clapping and singing along. 'Every place has a different texture – the expectations of a performance at a college or a concert are very different. People are here to appreciate poetry and the written word, which hold great importance for me,' he shared. The year's festival saw five international poets in attendance, some of whom were in conversation with poet Jeet Thayil at the 'You Are the World' session. 'The highlight were the poets from Singapore, the US and UAE, who shared superb poetry and talked about their poetics and visions,' said Bengaluru poet Mani Rao. Alongside these were panels on poetry in Kannada and other regional languages, giving the festival a local flavour. 'A festival like this helps people become more aware of the poetry swirling in their midst,' added Rao. Attending the festival for the first time, 22-year-old Varshith Vattikutti, an aspiring filmmaker, explains what draws creative youngsters to the festival, saying, 'Getting perspectives from people who have been writing lyrics and screenplays in the industry for so long has been very insightful. I enjoy hearing them talk about everything, from mundane things to how they approach their writing.' Avani Singh, a college student, adds, 'Even just to see that there are people in the field who are making a living out of being creative – as writers, musicians, and filmmakers – was so important to me.'
New Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
A Parade of Poets: BPF's new edition to have 86 invitees and 30 poetry sessions
In the cacophony of best-selling fiction and non-fiction tomes creating a buzz at traditional literature festivals, the gentler notes of poetry, that demand one's careful reading, engagement, and willingness to sit in the quiet, often gets lost. It is to rectify this and carve out a space for poetry alone that Bengaluru Poetry Festival (BPF) was first started, according to co-founder Subodh Sankar, ahead of the festival's 9th edition set to happen this weekend. This year's edition will see 86 invitees and 30 poetry sessions including well known literateurs like Jeet Thayil, Mani Rao, Mamta Sagar, alongside musicians, lyricists and film personalities associated with poetry in some form. Some highlights include Malayalam actor Ramya Nambeesan, lyricist Swanand Kirkire, bhakti music performer Parvathy Baul, and singer Bruce Lee Mani along with Justh, the creator of the viral song Chor. Explaining the inclusion of so many musical acts, Sankar explains, 'When you listen to music, poetry is not the first thing that comes to your mind, but when you sort of sit down and examine it, examine it. The root art form is actually poetry. It will be interesting to see how an artist sort of transforms their talent from one art form to the other. The transformation would be very interesting for people to see.' Five international poets – two from the UAE through the Emirates Literature Festival, and one each from the USA, Singapore and Sri Lanka will also be in attendance. Apart from musical performances, most of the featured names will be a part of discussions, panels, and poetry readings across English, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, Odia, Bengali and Mizo. Noting that poetry draws more young people than other publishing forms like fiction or non-fiction, Sankar considers the festival a great opportunity for young writers. 'More and more young people are reading poetry, not just through the traditional publishing process, but through Instagram, online poetry journals and magazines,' he says. A section of the festival, consisting of 22 poets, writers, illustrators and storytellers, make up the Children's Festival, running parallel to the main poetry events. Sankar says, 'Though it is at a poetry festival, it is not just about children's poetry – the idea is to create that platform where children can spend a couple of days involved in their creative pursuits.' Children will be able to engage with crafts activities, storytelling sessions, outdoor activities, puppetry shows, and more. (Bengaluru Poetry Festival will take place at Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha on August 2 and 3, 10am onwards. Entry is free)
Hans India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Justh returns with soul-stirring new track ‘Unse Jaake Kehdo'
Singer-songwriter Justh, best known for his viral sensation Chor, has made a compelling comeback with his latest single Unse Jaake Kehdo. Released on Tuesday, the track is a poignant ballad that explores themes of love, pain, letting go, and redemption, blending emotional vulnerability with a gentle, acoustic-driven melody. Known for his minimalist and heartfelt songwriting, Justh has once again tapped into deep emotional reservoirs. The song, wrapped in simple yet profound lyrics, tells a relatable story of heartbreak and healing, resonating across listeners of all ages and backgrounds. Speaking about the release, Justh shared, 'It's been over a year and a half since 'Chor' was released. After that song connected with so many people, I felt the need to go even deeper within myself. 'Unse Jaake Kehdo' is the result of that journey—music that feels true, authentic, and pure.' He added, 'This song holds a piece of my soul. I've worked hard and collaborated with some incredibly talented individuals for both the audio and video. I'm excited and nervous to share it with the world.' The song is produced by Aditya Verma and mixed by Vaibhav Ahuja and Justh himself, reflecting his hands-on approach and artistic sincerity. Known for turning away from industry gloss in favor of stripped-down, emotional storytelling, Justh's authenticity continues to set him apart in India's independent music scene. A former Chartered Accountant who left a stable MNC job to pursue music, Justh has steadily built a niche as one of India's most honest and emotionally resonant voices. Unse Jaake Kehdo marks a mature evolution of his sound and storytelling, reaffirming his place as a powerful force in India's growing singer-songwriter movement.
Tatler Asia
23-04-2025
- General
- Tatler Asia
Why sustainability, female empowerment and adventure go hand in hand
After coming back from CAR, Chor swiftly launched the now-retired Hong Kong Explorers initiative with a grant from National Geographic . 'Coming back to Hong Kong after the CAR, I started to ask myself 'how much of Hong Kong have I not explored?',' she reflects. 'I crossed the world to find nature, but actually Hong Kong has so much to offer.' Despite its abundant natural beauty and resources, she notes that the city has fostered a culture that remains disconnected from nature—a disconnect that contributes to the environmental problems we face today. 'How can we measure our impact on nature if we're not paying attention to it?' she asks. With this initiative, Chor put nature, exploration and education first, but gender also played a role. 'It's impossible to look at any environmental problem without looking at it through the lens of power, oppression and politics,' she says. 'Therefore, you cannot talk about the environment without talking about gender.' While Chor no longer focuses on the Hong Kong Explorers initiative, she continues to thrive as a multimedia journalist where she puts human, nature and transnational issues at the centre of her photos, articles and documentaries. 'Growing up in Hong Kong, I didn't know any journalists, scientists or explorers', she concludes. 'But if you can see it, you can be it. So I hope that my career, and doing my thing, inspires girls and women in Hong Kong to follow their own path.' Natalie Chung's expeditions have deepened her commitment to nature and gender equality Emerging as a prominent voice in climate education, Natalie Chung has carved a unique path for herself. 'My climate journey began when I was 11. I was captivated by an interview with a female Polar explorer, Dr Rebecca Lee, who described the fragile beauty of the Poles,' she recalls, noting that this initial spark ignited a lifelong commitment to protecting our planet. While studying geography at university, she co-founded V'air Sustainability Education, transforming her passion into action through nature-based learning experiences. What started with student-led eco-tours in Hong Kong's country parks has evolved into a social enterprise that has reached over two million people. Chung's adventures have taken her from the icy waters of Antarctica in 2023—where she represented Hong Kong on the Dr Sylvia Earle Antarctic Climate Expedition —to the coastal villages of Fiji in 2024. Collaborating with UNDP Pacific and RTHK for the TV documentary series Climate Insight , she has documented the impacts of climate change and adaptation strategies. 'Every expedition has deepened my reverence for nature and my commitment to climate justice,' she states, reflecting on her humbling experiences with communities facing the harsh realities of climate change. For Chung, addressing gender inequality is essential in the fight for environmental sustainability. 'Gender and climate justice are inseparable,' she says, highlighting how women and girls in the Global South are disproportionately affected by climate disasters yet often excluded from decision-making processes. Through V'air, she is dedicated to empowering young girls by creating programmes that blend climate science, storytelling and leadership training. 'When girls are empowered to understand climate systems and advocate for policy, they become catalysts for systemic transformations,' she says. Looking ahead, Chung envisions V'air as a platform nurturing the next generation of Asian female climate leaders. 'When girls see women who look like them leading climate action, it redefines what they believe is possible,' she says. Inspired by pioneering figures such as Dr Rebecca Lee and Dr Jane Goodall, she aspires to establish that women belong at the forefront of exploration and leadership. Carmen Chan wants to make empowerment through nature adventures accessible to girls Carmen Chan is not just an entrepreneur; she is a dynamic force driving social change through her innovative blend of design, communication and empowerment. Her journey began unexpectedly four years ago when she volunteered to teach entrepreneurship at an anti-trafficking NGO in Hong Kong for women survivors of sexual exploitation. 'Encountering these resilient women and knowing their stories prompted a lot of self-reflection,' she says, 'I started to ask myself: what is my role in these big social problems? What are the ways to live and work purposefully?' To find the answer, Chan decided to leave Hong Kong and embark on a transformative two-year global journey. She dedicated most of this time to volunteering, like in northern Thailand or Vietnam, and meeting like-minded female changemakers. One such formative experience for Chan was spending time at Thailand's eco-lodge Chai Lai Orchid, which not only shelters rescued elephants but also supports education and employment for marginalised women. This initiative opened her eyes to possibility of creating an enterprise that lies at the intersection of business and social impact. This led Chan to found Girls Be Change, a social enterprise aimed at inspiring young women to become explorers and changemakers. 'This year, we are launching the Impact Expedition for Women Explorers, focusing on wildlife conservation and women's empowerment,' she says. Chan highlights the deep connection between gender equality and environmental sustainability. 'The climate crisis does not affect everyone equally—girls and women face disproportionate impacts from climate change,' she explains, noting how challenges like unstable access to clean water exacerbate existing gender inequalities. She sees women as crucial to the solution. 'Equal gender representation can lead to more holistic solutions in climate action.' Through Girls Be Change, Chan envisions a community where girls and women feel empowered to address the social causes they care about. 'We may work for different causes, but we're all striving for the greater good,' she says. Her mission is clear: to catalyse and connect women ready to make a difference in the world.
