Manipal: ‘OhSnap! Pt.2’, an interactive spoken word poetry workshop was organised by Type B Poetry and The Queer & Ally Network here on 12 March at the KMC Interact lecture halls.
This was the second event by The Queer and Ally Network after its screening of Deepa Mehta’s ‘Fire’, and it also was the second event ever by Type B Poetry. The workshop was conducted by Bharath Divakar, a spoken word poet from Bangalore and an alumnus of Kasturba Medical College (KMC).
Spoken word poetry, a rhythmic way of poetry recitation, mainly involves word play and voice modulation. “It is a democratic art form that has no boundaries and that is why it’s always linked with a tiny hint of rebellion,” explained Bharath. He has been writing and performing slam poetry for the past three years and has also trained and mentored students from MIT (Manipal Institute of Technology) and KMC (Kasturba Medical College) for the National Youth Poetry Slam, a national level poetry slam competition that was held last year. “Manipal University is my alma mater and it feels very good to come back to the university, I mean, it is a very cool thing to come and interact with students” he added.
The workshop began with an informal introductory session and a few ice breakers. Participants had to write quick poems using certain tips and following the instructions given by Bharath. The essence of poetry slams was brought out by small gestures like snapping of fingers during the performances as a sign of appreciation instead of clapping hands. Activities for the enhancement of poetry skills were conducted in groups as well as individually. Various presentation techniques like voice intonation, reciting poetry with confidence, appropriate body language and eye contact were discussed.
The workshop was followed by a series of performances by students from colleges in and around Manipal. Participants actively involved themselves in and expressing their views and ideas, stories and experiences, using spoken word poetry. The session concluded with three spoken word poems recited by Bharath.Annapoorna Chakrabarty, a KMC student and one of the organisers, said, ‘The best part of a poetry slam is seeing different people having opinions and ideas about similar things that are miles apart from the rest. Being a part of a poetry slam gives an unbelievable sense of acceptance; this acceptance is contagious and beautiful”.