Hyderabad's poetry clubs cultivate a culture of creativity & connection

Time of India

01-05-2025

Hyderabad's poetry communities are fostering vibrant spaces where
creativity and connection
thrive. Through open mics and meetups, poets and storytellers share their words, emotions, and experiences. These gatherings celebrate cultural diversity through
multilingual poetry
while providing a stage for self-expression and meaningful conversation. As poetry evolves in the digital age, these in-person events highlight the enduring power of spoken word, creating an intimate and inspiring space for poets.
Hyderabad Poetry Project
Hyderabad Poetry Project
'Our poetry sessions span multiple session'
Founded in 2015, the Hyderabad Poetry Project aims to bring people together for meaningful conversations and the exchange of thoughts and emotions. 'Our meetups are immersive four-hour sessions that showcase poetry in multiple languages — including English, Hindi, Dakhni, Telugu, Bengali, and more — fostering deeper communication and collaboration among community members,' says Akshay Tiwari, the founder.
Kommune Hyderabad
Kommune Hyderabad
'Our aim is to foster artistic connections'
Kommune Hyderabad, led by Vishesh Khatwani, is the city chapter of the national platform Kommuneity. Since November 2023, it has been organising open mics and meet-ups for poets. 'The idea is to cultivate an environment where artists can engage with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and draw inspiration from each other's creative journeys ,' says Vishesh.
Heart for Art
Heart for Art
Celebrating poetry's power to connect & inspire
Heart for Art, a lively community founded in 2021, fosters creative expression and artistic collaboration. Moreover, the platform regularly features 7-10 Urdu poets per show, reflecting the growing interest and appreciation for the language.
Poets of Hyderabad
Poets of Hyderabad
'The goal is to give everyone a stage to talk'
Poets of Hyderabad, which began in New Delhi in 2018 and expanded to Hyderabad in 2024, has been hosting online sessions since the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing together poetry enthusiasts from across the globe. 'It's all about giving everyone a chance to be heard. We've created a space where people can step onto the stage and share their thoughts openly and honestly,' says Ravi Vishwakarma, the founder.
Being part of the poetry scene has allowed me to connect with diverse audiences, spark meaningful conversations, and contribute to a vibrant cultural landscape
– Shalini Maiti, poet & writer
I have witnessed
Urdu poetry
's growing appeal in the digital era. Social media has expanded its reach, making it more accessible than ever. However, it deserves deeper exploration, as it holds immense richness and should be promoted in the right way
– Ausaf Ahmad, Urdu poet
I always saw poetry as an art form and a source of entertainment, but it soon became a coping skill. It gave me a space to express my emotions, a source of encouragement to keep going, and a sense of accomplishment I couldn't find elsewhere
– Karan Agrawal, software engineer
– Sarmistha Ganguli