Pune's 'Beyond Open Mic' Redefines Poetry as Collaborative Community Movement
On most days, poetry exists in fragments—scribbled in notebooks, whispered into phone recordings, or performed in dimly lit cafés across urban landscapes. However, around World Poetry Day, those scattered fragments find a way to gather and breathe collectively, transforming into something far more profound. In Pune, this spirit materialized vividly at "Beyond Open Mic," a full-day art retreat held in Baner that stretched the conventional concept of an open mic into an immersive, community-driven experience.
Building a Shared Creative Ecosystem
Organized by Kissagoi and Baithak and Beyond, the event prioritized building a shared creative ecosystem over fleeting performances. Saad Ahmed Shaikh, founder of Baithak and Beyond, emphasized that the intention was to craft a space where participants "not just perform, but actively network… listen to a variety of voices and learn at the same time." He elaborated, "The structure was built for the idea that you come here not only to listen to others, not only to perform, not only to speak, but to actually sit down and think about the art or craft of writing, think about the craft of performing."
From Workshops to Slam Poetry
The retreat commenced with introductions and conversations exploring the culture of open mics, swiftly transitioning into focused workshops. One workshop on performance was led by Tushar Padolkar, while another on writing was guided by Shaikh himself. For nearly three hours, participants remained deeply engaged, absorbing techniques designed to refine both their craft and confidence. Simran Khurana, founder of Kissagoi, noted that the goal was to encourage people to "sit down and think about the art… the craft of writing and performing," rather than merely cycling through performances.
By the afternoon, the energy shifted dynamically. A shared lunch gave way to guest performances and a slam poetry competition, where participants were motivated to present their best work—not solely for applause but for recognition and prize money. Yet, even within this competitive framework, the emphasis steadfastly remained on community. Khurana described the slam poetry here not as "a competition of envy," but as something "community-driven," where artists grow together rather than against each other.
Transforming Fear into Confidence
For performers like Saurabh Kathale, an engineer by profession, this sense of community proved transformative. He shared that listening to others offers "different perspectives" that extend beyond poetry into everyday life. Crucially, spaces like these chip away at deeper fears. "Performing on smaller stages like Kissagoi and different organizations that are here, it gave me an opportunity to explore myself, to get a little more confident, to understand what is my voice. And I think that is the best thing that can happen to you, performing on multiple platforms every day," he added.
Ensuring a Safe and Respectful Environment
Hosting such a diverse and emotionally charged space requires meticulous calibration—a responsibility the organizers acutely acknowledged. Sannidhi Alka Rao, who helmed the slam segments, stressed the necessity of balancing structure with sensitivity. "Every performance, the performer is super vulnerable and we make it very clear that this is a safe space and the audience needs to respect each of the performers and respect their pieces. So we make it very clear right from the start and ensure that none of those things happen. And the artist feels safe while performing," she explained.
Evolving into a Network Beyond the Stage
As the evening unfolded with community-led segments, interactive quizzes, and friendly competitive debates, the event began to resemble less of a scheduled programme and more of an organic network. This network extended beyond the stage, beyond the timetable, and, perhaps most significantly, beyond the idea of a conventional open mic. In many ways, 'Beyond Open Mic' mirrors the evolving identity of poetry itself—no longer confined to solitary expression or sporadic gatherings, but increasingly collaborative, performative, and community-driven.
This gathering in Pune exemplifies how poetry is transitioning from individual artistry to a collective movement, fostering connections that resonate far beyond a single day of celebration.
