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The City of Dreams turns into a land of storytellers at Mumbai's Spoken Festival. Come and experience words, storytelling and music like never before!
Mumbai, often referred to as the City of Dreams, is a vibrant metropolis that serves as a cultural melting pot. It stands out as one of the few cities that has consistently provided a welcoming space for arts and culture, with a special emphasis on storytelling. For over three years now, I have attended the Spoken Festival, an eclectic celebration of poetry, drama, music, workshops, and more. Each year, despite Mumbai's relentless humidity, I take great care to iron my lightest cotton saree, recognising that donning my elegant nine yards is an integral part of my Spoken Festival experience.
Mumbai’s Spoken Festival, held at Jio Garden, had its first very edition back in 2017. The Spoken Festival was the brainchild of TV personality, Roshan Abbas; VJ-turned-anchor, Gaurav Kapoor; and indie musician, Ankur Tewari. They first started Kommune, a platform for artists to nurture their talent for live spoken art performances and promote its awareness through videos on digital media. This eventually led to Spoken. A friend who had attended the first edition, raved about it for days. “The vibe was just right,” was the first thing she said to me as she went on to talk about her favourite pieces. Sandhya Mridul's "Welcome to Modern Love" was a compelling monologue on love and boundaries while Kalki Koechlin's ""Fairy Tale"" combined storytelling with music. That wasn't it though! The headlining acts included artists such as the legendary Piyush Mishra, folk-rock genius Raghu Dixit, the entertaining Tanmay Bhat and the king of comedic anecdotes, Zakir Khan. I couldn't believe I had missed it all, but made a mental note to head to the next edition of the festival.
The first time I attended the Spoken Festival was its second edition, a weekend in January 2018 in Mumbai. The entrance was a scrabble board, the lush green grass of the ground was dotted with multiple stages, stalls, fairy lights and streamers. An electrifying atmosphere pervaded the festival grounds. That year, the lineup included the who’s who of the music industry including headlining acts by Prateek Kuhaad and the Indian Ocean, whose performances were held in the evening, after sunset. During the day, there were writing workshops, discussions on poetry, conversations with lyricists and writers and delicious food from the stalls. As the day turned into evening, the stage was set with spoken word artists; that year I heard Olivia Gatwood, Tess Joseph, Alok Vaid and so many other artists.
The year I first attended the festival, in 2018, Jio Garden had about 6000 attendees over the course of two days. However, during the November 2022 edition, the space had more people than at a music concert. The festival has grown by leaps and bounds, making space for a variety of artists. And it is something that brings me back to Mumbai, since I don’t reside in the city anymore. My experiences at the Spoken Festival have never been solitary; it's always been a space I've shared with my girlfriends. Over the years, I've had the privilege of listening to remarkable storytellers who have left me with enduring memories through their eloquent words. I've heard Mithila Palkar share heartwarming anecdotes about growing up with her grandparents, Kausar Munir delve into discussions about identity, and I've even witnessed electrifying performances by iconic bands like The Local Train, Peter Cat Recording Co, and Spitfire, along with the melodious music of Samar Mehdi.
Having become a Spoken 'veteran', I've picked up a few tricks. I always go for the two-day festival pass, secure a spot near the main stage for the headlining acts, and make sure to grab a bite either before or in between major performances. There's something exhilarating about having the entire festival schedule planned out for those two days, sharing warm hugs with familiar faces, and snapping my fingers until they're practically sore while indulging in evocative poetry recitations. Oh, and staying hydrated is a must because it can get quite hot. The Spoken Festival is a celebration of the power of words, offering a vibrant platform for talented voices in storytelling, poetry, spoken word, stand-up comedy, theatre, and music. The two-day festival brings together over 50 artists from India and around the world, performing on five captivating stages. It features engaging panel discussions, masterclasses, and workshops conducted in English, Hindi, and Urdu. It's an immersive experience, the kind that changes you. For anyone who believes in the magic of storytelling and the spoken word, the Spoken Festival warrants an immersive visit. I can't wait for the next edition of the festival.
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