Bengaluru Poetry Festival Returns for 10th Edition with Focus on Indian Languages
The Bengaluru Poetry Festival (BPF) is set to hold its 10th edition on August 1 and 2 at the Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha. The event, which is free and open to all, will highlight the diversity and richness of Indian poetic traditions across multiple languages.
Subodh Sankar, co-founder of BPF and of Atta Galatta, noted that while poetry often receives less attention compared to other literary forms, the festival has consistently drawn large audiences. “Despite what the market says, there is a massive audience for poetry,” he said, adding that the festival’s decade-long run demonstrates sustained public interest.
This year’s edition will feature poets representing at least 15 Indian languages, including Doyir Ete Taipodia, Gopika Jadeja, Inakali Assumi, and Nirmala Putul. “We are trying to showcase the breadth, depth, and beauty of Indian poetic traditions,” Sankar explained.
Prominent speakers include mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik, who will deliver a keynote on Indic poetic traditions; Kannada actor Ramya, discussing poetry that has inspired her life; and actor-director Prakash Raj, who will present spoken-word poetry in Kannada.
The festival will also feature performances by dancer-writer Tishani Doshi, a dramatised reading of Kalidasa’s Meghadūta, a dance-theatre-music piece by Deepti Sudhindra, and a Hasya Kavita (comedy poetry) session by Mahesh Garg, among others. Sankar emphasised that performance is integral to Indian poetry traditions.
In addition to talks, panel discussions, and performances, the festival will offer workshops and a separate children’s segment with activities, book readings, storytelling, and performances.
Registration is available at bengalurupoetryfestival.org.
