Bollywood raises its voice through slam poetry

Poetry, even more than placards and protests, can be a powerful tool for change. This is the medium several Bollywood actors have chosen for raising their voice on life’s issues — the latest such name is Kalki Koechlin (bottom right), whose slam poetry video on the noise in our lives, both literally and figuratively, has gone viral on social media. Before this, actors Shah Rukh Khan (above right) and Kunal Kapoor (inset) have done it. “I don’t think poetry is a new medium, but yes, short content has thrived because of the Internet. For me, it’s not a better way to connect with the audience; it’s the only way I know,” says Kalki. Kunal’s poem about trafficked women went: “You see faces but no identity/You see bodies without a destiny/ Cars slow down their pace/ Men look out of their window to see/Every night when you drive back home/ You cross that road where love is sold.” A YouTube reaction: “Simply done but very hard-hitting.” In his poem Fight Like a Girl, Shah Rukh said through verse how strong girls and women can be. He read this out at an event: “This is for girls who stay up all night/This is for you who are willing to fight, for hidden fears, hurt, pain, and tears/ Under the smiles, straight or curls/You’re beautiful because you fight like a girl.”

Actor Richa Chadha, usually vocal about social issues, says, “Slam poetry has been around for a bit but is growing in popularity now, because it allows artists to say what they want [to say] rhythmically and simply. I love it that we can express ourselves today in this manner on several topical issues.”

Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar believes that poetry remains longer in the minds of people and has greater impact on public opinion. “If it’s for a social cause, and if it’s creating awareness among the young people, it’s all that matters. It’s the impact that’s important. Poetry is much more powerful than anything else. It has a rhythm and a meaning which goes far deeper. It is shorter, easier to understand,” he says.

I don’t think poetry is a new medium, but yes, short content has thrived because of the Internet KALKI KOECHLIN, ACTOR

Slam poetry allows artists to say what they want [to say] rhythmically and simply RICHA CHADHA, ACTOR