30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Healing Verses' therapeutic poetry, music enthral inmates of Pune old age home
The hall at Aaji Care Geriatric Care Center, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, was filled with unbridled joy and warmth, as it connected the inmates through the power of art and music when artists of KavitaKafe hosted a special evening of poetry and music on April 26 as part of its 'Healing Verses' initiative.
As the music played, many senior citizens, some living with dementia symptoms, forgot their age-related medical conditions and repeated the lyrics with surprising clarity, while others grooved to the tunes, and some got soaked in the verses.
The event featured soulful performances by poets and musicians such as Waseem Kazi, Sachin Sharma, Rahul Joshi, Surbhi Jain, Keshav Shukla, Surendra Bhatia (aka Salil), Pranav Sadotra, and Garima Mishra.
Each participant offered pieces that celebrated life, memories, and emotions, striking a chord with the audience and filling the space with warmth and affection.
Riddhi Manoj Jagdale, Geriatric Counsellor at Aaji Care Geriatric Care Center, said, 'It was truly a soul-stirring experience that brought so much joy, warmth, and connection to our community. The thoughtful selection of poems and melodies created an atmosphere of nostalgia, comfort, and happiness, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. Moments like these remind us how powerful art can be in touching hearts and uplifting spirits, especially for our senior residents.'
According to Garima Mishra, founder of KavitaKafe and the force behind 'Healing Verses', poetry and music have an extraordinary ability to heal — their rhythm and expression soothe the mind, lift the spirit, and help people process emotions. 'Through 'Healing Verses', we hope to offer comfort, spark joy, and restore inner peace through the magic of poetry. Seeing the faces of senior citizens light up with happiness reminds us why this effort truly matters,' Mishra said.
Last month, the group's performance at Vrindavan Old-Age Home on Sinhagad Road also witnessed an overwhelming appreciation from the inmates.
The group will perform at the Cipla Cancer Care Centre at Warje on May 24 as part of 'Healing Verses', offering a therapeutic blend of songs and poetry to comfort cancer patients and their dedicated caregivers.
