Hindi poetry finds new space among city youth

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As the poetry movement of Delhi catches flame, Hindi and Urdu poetry is finding its linchpins in the young, passionate writers who’d rather write in a new language they call Hindustani. A mix of Hindi and Urdu, this is the language that neo-India speaks, when not trying to cavort with Hinglish. Amit Dahiya who has been writing English and Hindi poetry for the past several years and is the founder of Delhi Poetree says that Hindi poetry scene today is not what it used to be. “There are a few names that get brandished around, but the scene is much larger today. Poets are writing without the inhibitions of either language and expressing themselves beautifully,” he says adding that they have an eight-year-old girl, who attends the readings and recites poetry in Hindi.
Shikha Khanna, a photographer and a poet feels that her poetry connects with today’s youth as it talks about their issues. “Earlier, youth did not have young poets writing about things that they could relate to, but today people instantly associate with poetry,” she says adding that her poetry is enjoyed and appreciated by not just poetry lovers, but even friends and acquaintances. “I started with writing in English, a lot of which was appreciated as well. But I found my poetic voice only in Hindustani, in which I felt I could best express myself,” says Shikha.
The English-Hindi divide does a complete 180 degrees, when it enters the portals of poetry. Abhniva Niranjan, who is a marketing professional opines that Hindi, Hindustani and regional poetry are much respected in India over its English cousin. “Hindi poetry is considered way more evolved than English simply because it is not our mothertongue. The nuances and alliterations, which sound magical in Hindi, lose their meaning in English.”
While Anaf Khan, works a regional manager for a multi-national and writes as he is passionate, says that Hindustani poetry being written today follows a strict form, derived from Urdu poetry. “The poetry written in Hindustani works on the same principle as music, with a very precise technique, which is very difficult to achieve and usually overlooked in English. So, it makes the Hindustani version lyrical and pleasing to the soul.”