A s the world marks World Poetry Day, Goa’s growing culture of Open Mics is quietly shaping how poetry is written, shared, and experienced. Across the State, intimate gatherings of poets and listeners are turning everyday spaces into platforms for expression, where words move from page to stage with ease.
A safe space for voices
A group of warm, supportive listeners waits patiently as a poet unfolds her paper. For many, these Open Mics have become a safe space for poems. With Goa seeing a rise in such events in recent years, it is clear that poetry is bringing together like-minded individuals. Open Mics have emerged as inclusive platforms, welcoming both seasoned performers and first-timers. Here, poets are not left to grieve or celebrate alone, but are given the space to be vulnerable without judgement.
“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words,” wrote Robert Frost. Gargi Guha, who has hosted several sessions under Poets of Goa, shares how deeply poetry has shaped her life. “My first poem, I don’t remember it exactly, but I am sure it must have been inspired by nature,” she says.
Recalling a particularly moving moment, she adds, “During one Open Mic, a poet shared a piece titled Komorebi, for her friend who had passed away after cancer. It stayed with me because my son had written a poem with the same title along similar lines a few years back, when his father passed away.”
From first-time nerves to confidence
“The best part about hosting Open Mics is the safe space we create,” Gargi explains. “Many poets come up and say it’s their first time performing, but by the end, they find their rhythm. Others come just to listen, but leave inspired to perform.” She adds, “Poetry is very intimate. It is a conversation of your soul, and seeing someone share that in a safe space is deeply gratifying.”
With Open Mics multiplying across Goa, the poetry scene is undergoing a shift. Gordon Noel Pires, author and poet, believes these platforms are giving people the confidence to be heard. “Open Mics are changing Goa’s poetry scene. People now want to say, ‘Yes, I wrote this’. A listening ear improves morale, and over time, these voices will shape the future of Goan poetry,” he says.
He hopes more poets step forward. “We need more people to share their work. Sessions like these help them connect and may even change their lives in ways they don’t expect.”
For Gordon, poetry extends beyond formal stages. “One of my favourite memories is when a few of us went to Harvalem Waterfall, dipped our feet in the water, and challenged each other to write poems on the spot. That was the most fun I’ve had with poetry,” he recalls.
Poetry beyond the stage
Open Mics in Goa are no longer confined to a single setting. From bookshops and cafés to museums and seaside spots, these gatherings are redefining where poetry can exist.
Offering a sanctuary for expression, Open Mics have become a form of catharsis for many. They create space for vulnerability, allowing poets to share deeply personal experiences without fear. Even within shared themes, each performance brings a unique perspective. As Gargi notes, “I find it fascinating how differently people interpret the same theme.”
In these spaces, the real world does not disappear but is brought into sharper focus. As Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, “Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.”
