15 August,2015 08:12 AM IST | | Suprita Mitter
Mumbai-based Culture Shoq is hosting Celebrating Faiz tomorrow, an event that will comprise readings, screening and discussions on legendary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s work
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Culture Shoq Poet's Lab, a wing of Cuture Shoq (a platform for developing performing arts), is an ongoing commitment to poetry and its community. It is a collective effort to bring different forms of expression together and experiment with the conventional formats.
Saurabh Jain and Varun Garg performing at a previous Culture Shoq Poet's Lab event
"The idea is to encourage originality by throwing challenges at aspiring poets and create niche platforms for the emerging ones, so that they can try their share of experiments around the existing styles and forms," says Ramneek Singh, head of literature, Culture Shoq.
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Singh feels that the Indian community of young poets has always taken to the free verse form and performance poetry, which is expressing their opinions, views and ideas in free-flowing verses, instead of having to depend on rhyme. "The good thing is that this allows poets to not compromise on their thoughts in order to fit the rhyme scheme," adds Singh.
When asked why the group chose to celebrate Faiz, he says, "Faiz is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest subcontinent poets of the 20th century. His poetry covers every aspect of human emotions. It does not only reflect the society of his times but also talks about their aspirations. His relevance in modern times is attributed to the underlining philosophies of his poems.
He had a connection with the aggrieved and a blunt take on establishments, we need Faiz today, more than ever."
The event will begin with a poem by Faiz with translations running on the projector screen in a dark room. This will be followed by the screening of a 10-minute documentary film on Faiz's life. The documentary is a compilation of different documentaries and films available online that the team thought would be relevant.
The event will also include an open mic with six city-based poets, Ankita Shah, Siddharth Warrier, Idea Smith, Prakriti Kargeti, Biswadeep and Ramneek Singh. Then, Saurabh Jain and Varun Garg will discuss trivia about Faiz's life, read his poetry and talk about its relevance and universality, offering insights into his love life, addictions and sense of humour. The event will conclude with a 20-minute Q & A session.
On: August 16, 8 pm to 10 pm
At: Huma Mansion, opposite Ahmed Bakery, Chuim Village Road, Khar (W).
Call: 9820998790
Cost: Rs 200
