Just as fast-fashion is still fashion even if it is not couture, and a toddler’s crooked illustration of a butterfly that resembles a mouse more is still art even if it is not Van Gogh–what you write or say to express a feeling or thought you simply can’t contain is poetry.
Dhaka’s open mic scene has evolved over the years, from humble beginnings to now being a platform for performers to highlight their talent and make a breakthrough in the industry.
The first day saw a relaxed yet diverse range of topics covered in the sessions, from South Asian and world history to women’s rights, publishing, Bangla literature and film, and the legacy of BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed.
“The public place for diverse opinion about certain topics is going down,”Vivek Menezes, writer, photographer and literary festival curator, said yesterday at a session titled “Culture Wars” on day two of the 10th Dhaka Lit Fest.
No amount of academic training or work experience in creating literary content prepares us to select, from over a hundred submissions, just a handful of powerful verses.