Mumbai: NDTV’s cultural conversation, Creators Manch, returns with its second season this March, bringing together some of India’s most celebrated poets, writers, lyricists, performers, and storytellers for two evenings of poetry, conversation, music, and performance. Scheduled for March 14 and 15 at Sundar Nursery in New Delhi, Creators Manch Season 2 will present a vibrant cultural gathering where language, imagination, and artistic expression come together in a collective celebration of contemporary Indian creativity.
The festival will open on March 14 at Sundar Nursery with a rich line-up of poetry, conversation, and performance. A major highlight of the evening will be a special fireside conversation titled ‘Khulti Girahen – Between the Lines’ with acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who will reflect on storytelling, performance, and the emotional craft that shapes powerful narratives in cinema and literature. The evening will also feature a special closing performance ‘Rhythmic Kamil’ by celebrated lyricist and poet Irshad Kamil, performing with his band in a powerful blend of poetry, music, and live performance. Renowned poet and lyricist Alok Srivastav will also take the stage in the session ‘Kehna-Sunna’, sharing poetry that bridges literary expression and contemporary lyricism.
The evening will begin with the session ‘Kavita Aaj Ki – Voice of Today’, featuring poet Manmeet Soni, setting the tone for an exploration of contemporary poetic expression and the evolving voice of modern Hindi poetry.
This will be followed by a musical-poetic performance titled ‘Kavita Ki Dhun – Where Poetry Meets Music’, featuring singer and performer Neeru Soni, also known as the Boxing Nightingale, blending poetry and music into a distinctive stage experience.
The evening will also feature a vibrant Jugal bandi session with poets Ismail Raaz, Zubair Ali Tabish, Sharya Kirti, Varun Anand, and Rohit Sharma, offering a lively exchange of poetic voices and styles.
The first evening will conclude with the closing performance ‘Rhythmic Kamil’, featuring celebrated lyricist and poet Irshad Kamil performing with his band, bringing together poetry, music, and live performance in a powerful finale.
The celebrations will continue on March 15 at Sundar Nursery with another evening dedicated to literature, performance, and storytelling. The programme will begin with ‘Lekhak Ka Aakash – The Writer’s Horizon,’ a discussion featuring Vyomesh Shukla, Naveen Chaudhury, Jaya Jadwani, and publisher Alind Maheshwari, examining the evolving space of writers, publishing, and literary voices in contemporary India.
This will be followed by ‘Kala Ka Anuvaad – Transforming Art,’ featuring poet and painter Prayag Shukla along with poets Gargi Mishra and Soni Pandey, exploring the movement of creative ideas across artistic mediums.
Another session titled ‘K Se Kavita – Verses Unfold’ will bring together prominent Hindi poets Geet Chaturvedi, Anuradha Singh, and Vipin Chaudhary to reflect on the changing landscape of Hindi poetry and its resonance with newer audiences.
The evening will also feature a musical performance by the Sadho Band before the session ‘Dil Ki Kalam Se’ with renowned poet, lyricist, and author Manoj Muntashir, whose work across literature and cinema has made him one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary Hindi writing.
Poet Pankaj Jeena will follow with the session ‘Ek Narm Ahsas – Echo of Words’, presenting poetry that captures the quiet emotional depth and resonance of the written word.
Poet and storyteller Priya Mallik will present ‘Ahsason Ki Shaam – Harmony of Words,’ blending music and spoken word into a compelling stage performance.
This will be followed by a traditional Dastangoi performance by Himanshu Bajpai and Pragya Sharma, reviving one of the subcontinent’s most evocative storytelling traditions.
A major highlight of the evening will be the Mushaira session ‘Shaam-e-Sukhan,’ featuring celebrated Urdu poets Mehshar Afridi, Khushbir Singh Shaad, Iqbal Ashar, satirical poet Popular Meeruthi, and the legendary Waseem Barelvi.
The evening will also feature a special appearance by celebrated lyricist, poet, and author Prasoon Joshi in the session ‘Shabd Sitara – The Wordsmith’s Spark,’ reflecting on language, creativity, and the enduring power of words.
Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, reflecting on the diversity of conversations of the second edition, said, ‘Creators Manch celebrates the extraordinary diversity and vitality of India’s creative voices. From poetry and literature to music, cinema, and storytelling, this gathering reflects the richness of India’s cultural imagination. Season 2 brings together some of the country’s most compelling poets, performers, and storytellers, creating an experience where words, ideas, and artistic expression come alive before a live audience.’
Across two evenings, Creators Manch Season 2 promises to be a celebration of India’s rich literary and artistic traditions, bringing together poets, performers, musicians, and storytellers in a shared cultural experience that celebrates the voice of creative India.
-Based on Press Release
