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Time of India
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pune Poetry Clubs: Poetry clubs bring Pune's literary enthusiasts together
Poetry, of late, is picking up as the go-to thing among like-minded Punekars who share a common love for literature. This has given rise to multiple poetry clubs that now get together every weekend to exchange poems, discuss the ones they may have read and celebrate a literary art form that many have lost touch with. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rise of poetry gatherings Poetry events have been giving people a chance to not just engage in something they love, but also a way to unwind. Gradually, this has carved a route map for over 20 poetry groups in the city. As Saad Ahmed Shaikh, an assistant professor and the co-founder of Baithak and Beyond , says, 'Ten years ago, there were barely one or two poetry communities. They faced their share of challenges but set things in motion for such gatherings. Venues weren't always accommodating, but these people stayed committed, and slowly, the movement began to grow.' an attendee at a certain poetry circle event (credits - Baithak and Beyond @baithakandbeyond) Disha Tasgaonkar, an author, poet and the founder of Poets of Pune , states that they have a lot of young attendees at events. Acknowledging the important role that social media platforms like Instagram have played in the literary resurgence, she says, 'When young people see their innermost feelings mirrored and validated by the poets they follow, it not only resonates deeply but often inspires them to begin their own creative journeys." Disha's thoughts are mirrored by 18-year-old student Amita Gurav for whom poetry holds a deeper significance. She shares, 'Poetry became an emotional outlet for me and helped me in more ways than I expected. These gatherings are a powerful way to connect with like-minded people. I've learned how others see the world and I've discovered some incredible poems that continue to inspire me.' Garima Mishra, founder of KavitaKAFE , another poetry group from the city, adds, 'It's particularly uplifting to see these young voices move beyond the pursuit of fleeting fame on social media platforms.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now ALSO READ: Should you ditch a party for a poetry gathering this weekend? The answer to this question may depend on whether you like poetry or are just keen to see what these events offer. Either way, many attendees often turn up out of curiosity but stay back after falling in love with poetry. Take Nishant Sahu, a 45-year-old accountant, for example. Nishant recently attended one such event with his wife. 'She's a writer but had never attended something like this before. We thought we'd just try it out, but once we were at the gathering, it opened the door to a completely different world,' he says, adding, 'People from different parts of the country and walks of life came together and express themselves through poetry, ghazals, nazms. It was moving.' In a world where we are constantly looking for safe spaces, these meetings are the silver lining. People support each other. It's not just about poetry. It's about building healthy communities where open conversations are encouraged,' says Sonali Rasal, founder of multiple poetry circles including The Literati, on a concluding note. Group photo from an event hosted by Tape a Tale The flourishing of poetry clubs and events in the city has breathed new life into the literary and cultural landscape. The enthusiasm we witness at the open mic sessions, especially among the youth, is remarkable. Young poets, performing in both Hindi and English, display not just raw talent but also a dedication to the craft. - Garima Mishra, founder, KavitaKAFE Some poetry communities in the city to lookout for
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Generations come together to celebrate poetry
Our need for interacting and bonding with people over art, culture or culinary makes us feel human. Baithak and Beyond , a unique meetup of poets and poetry connoisseurs does exactly the same over every weekend in the city. The recent meetup in Baner held on Saturday was nothing short of a pleasant experience of celebrating a shared love of poetry and literature for Punekars. 18-years-old Amita Gurav sharing her experiences at the Baithak and Beyond poetry gathering on Saturday 28 June, 2025. The event starts with recitals of a poem, ghazal, nazm or sher, either original or of a published author, followed by a hearty discussion and feedback. For an 18-years-old chemistry student, Amita Gurav, Baithak and Beyond was a much-needed getaway to connect with like minded individuals. 'I chose to attend Baithak and Beyond, because it is very different from other open mic events. This is where you get feedback and know other people's perspectives about your own writings,' she says. Saad Ahmed Shaikh, co-founder of Baithak and Beyond, warming up to the attendees at the gathering on Saturday, June 28, 2025 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Saad Ahmed Shaikh, an assistant professor and the co-founder of Baithak and Beyond, shared, 'Everybody has a story to share and they only need a space where they feel comfortable to do so. And here, at Baithak we do exactly the same. Give them the space.' He further added that fulfilling feedback from the attendees is what makes Baithak a real success for him. The event saw over 30 attendees from different walks of life and varying age groups, ranging from people as young as 18-years-old to elders over 80-years. 80-years-old Sharad Selot at Baithak and Beyond reciting Dinkar's Rashmirathi For an octogenarian Sharad Selot, who was attending such a gathering for the first time, it was a treat to find people who are much younger than herself and yet able to bond over their shared love for poetry. She said, 'The younger generation is opting to ignore the social media and parties to come here is a big deal. It's a treat to see that people from different age groups are all interested in poetry and literature. Everyone has their own set of opinions and no one is trying to be fake or mysterious.'
