With lockdown-like restrictions being extended in Mumbai for another fortnight, city-based poets have even more time and quiet for introspection and writing. An open mic by art and cultural hub Hooted1ce is inviting them to share their ruminations and encouraging new poets to advance their skills. The session will be posted by Tanzi Shaikh, who will also be performing a few recent pieces. 

“I have been hosting these open mics for a year now. Keeping in mind the current scenario, we have taken our meets online, via Zoom. I believe that open mics are an excellent space for experienced poets to share new work and for newcomers to share their take on the current status-quo,” she says. One of the pieces that Shaikh is performing is called Mandi. It was written during the lockdown and is inspired by a walk through Kamathipura. “The poem describes the plight of innocents who are snatched from their homes and sold in the city,” she shares.