In an era dominated by visual stimuli and digital shorthand, an extraordinary literary gathering at Bengaluru's Museum of Art and Photography offered a powerful reminder of what we're missing. For three hours one recent afternoon, attendees experienced something increasingly rare: the pure, uninterrupted pleasure of listening.
The Sound of Silence and Stories
Organized by the Jacaranda Literary Agency, the event featured writer after writer mounting the stage, reading in their native languages followed by English translations, then returning to their seats. There were no lengthy introductions, no audience questions, just what one observer described as a cascade of words all afternoon.
The experience felt like receiving a carefully curated mixtape of literary genres. The program moved seamlessly from Vivek Shanbhag's musical Kannada to Anurag Basnet's rhythmic Nepali, then to Pasha Bhai's perfectly metered Dakhni. Attendees then encountered the surprising beauty of Mehdi Khawaja's Kashmiri and K.R. Meera's flowing Malayalam, among other languages.
What We Lose in an Age of Communication Shortcuts
As the hours flew by unexpectedly, participants discovered that the act of deep listening activated neural pathways typically overwhelmed by today's constant barrage of noise and visuals. The event served as a stark contrast to our current communication landscape dominated by GIFs, emojis, memes, photos, and AI-generated replies.
We've developed a culture where people increasingly react rather than reply, mistaking this exchange for genuine conversation. Language thrives when it continuously reshapes itself, absorbs new influences, and takes on fresh meanings. But when we limit our vocabulary and expression, we risk losing something fundamental to human connection.
The Richness of Multilingualism
Vivek Shanbhag, who speaks five languages, noted that previous generations grew up effortlessly multilingual, while most young people today likely speak just one language, or at best two. This shift represents more than just linguistic change—it signifies a loss of cultural richness and diverse ways of thinking.
The diversity of languages offers a wealth of cultural perspectives and ideas that simply can't be replicated through translation alone. Speaking, writing, and understanding multiple tongues creates what participants described as a more colorful experience of life.
As the event demonstrated, language remains endlessly fascinating precisely because, in the words of Toni Morrison, it arcs toward the place where meaning may lie. In a world increasingly dependent on visual communication and abbreviated expression, the Bengaluru gathering served as a powerful testament to the enduring power of spoken words and attentive listening.
