Dive into the world of stories this weekend as SpokenFest returns to Mumbai

Engage with stories and storytellers at the 2024 edition of SpokenFest this weekend

However you choose to weave your thoughts — whether through prose, poetry, song or even comedy — you’ll find your tribe at the upcoming multi-stage performing arts festival SpokenFest ‘24 that unveils this weekend. that unveils this weekend. The two-day event celebrates more than just the art of storytelling across mediums, it facilitates honest conversations built on empathy. This reflects the words of playwright Tennessee Williams in his essay Person To Person, he wrote: “And so we talk to each other, write and wire each other, call each other short and long distance across land and sea, clasp hands with each other at meeting and at parting, fight each other and even destroy each other because of this always somewhat thwarted effort to break through walls to each other.”

Imtiaz Ali in conversation with Roshan Abbas

Roshan Abbas, founder, Kommune, adds, “Over the years, we’ve been able to establish [a platform] for new and upcoming artistes as well as established artistes.” He continues, “One of the unique things about this fest is that it gives artistes the ability to experiment. For instance, Zakir Khan won’t be here to do comedy, instead, he will take 30 minutes to answer the most difficult questions. This creates the opportunity for you to see the artistes you know explore different avatars.”

ON February 3 and 4; 1 pm to 10 pm
AT Jio World Garden, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East.
LOG ON TO spokenfest.com
COST Rs 1,750 onwards

THE GUIDE’S TOP PICKS

Along with art installations, workshops, performances and interactive spaces, here’s a list of what you can look forward to. Don’t miss curated sessions and zones like the blind book date, de-stress zone, vinyl listening station, poetry buskers, board game stations, book exchanges, and more.

. Alok is in the ’bay
One of the most celebrated international queer artistes, poets, actor, author and comedian, Alok V Menon, will be present for their special poetry and comedy set.
ON February 4; 8.25 pm

Actor Amol Parashar at the fest 

. Sing along
Catch hip-hop, indie and Bollywood music performances by Rekha Bhardwaj and Vishal Bhardwaj in a soulful set, and indie tunes by DOT., Ankur Tewari, Tejas Menon, and others.
ON February 3; 8.45 pm (Rekha and Vishal) and 6.50 pm (DOT.)

. Do the math
Following her viral ‘Girl math’ REEL that she recently uploaded, artiste, actor and content creator Dolly Singh will perform a dark humour spoken word poem on her experiences as a woman.
ON February 3; 5.55 pm

Visitors gather for a group activity 

. Kids love poetry
Drop by the Poetry Corner curated by Rohini Kejriwal of The Alipore Post. The space is designed to make poetry accessible to children by using prompts and activities including the Wheel of Poetry where attendees can write 
postcard poems.
ON February 3 and 4
AT The Junior Junction

. It’s a love story
Sriti Jha performs a poignant piece titled Love Story that she says, “Could’ve, would’ve and should’ve happened had it not been for the universe!”
ON February 3; 6 pm

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