When we first witnessed Hindi poetess Nirmika Singh perform, it was a poem that spoke of a love gone by. Her clear diction and sensitive retelling of everyday emotions, in crisp Hindi was an emotional experience. She now helms a video series titled Aur Suno, on YouTube, where she performs poems in spoken-word style, adding a touch of solo theatre. Our favourite poem (and hers)—Kuch aise badley duniya —goes something like this: "Kuch aise badley yeh duniya, ki meri kala meri soorat ban jaaye". Another video, that saw her discuss the reasons she writes, hit a million views.

It's possible that this success prompted Singh to take her poems offline, in AurSuno Shamiyana. "I took AurSuno offline because poetry is best performed and experienced live. I also wanted the environment to be intimate and warm, instead of a 'show'. Which is why I chose shamiyana-style floor seating and passed samosa and chai around before the recitation. Since AurSuno chronicles the shades and stages of my life, I wanted to first recite my poems in front of an audience of friends who have inspired me. We sold only 30 tickets. The rest of the seats were for them," says Singh, 32.