Sitting under a dimly lit open air theatre, scores of autorickshaw drivers dressed in khakhi uniforms appeared to be in a stress-free mode as verses were read out at a poetry reading event on Friday.
The event was the ninth edition of the ‘Kaavya Sanje’ and was held exclusively for auto drivers. The poems were themed around travel. Most of the drivers who were attending their first ever poetry reading session seemed perplexed yet at the same time eager to read out their poems. Even though the event managed to attract only a few autodrivers, spirits remained high and each participant received a huge round of applause.
Ravi P. N., an autorickshaw driver read out a poem Lambretta Vespa penned by Poornachandra Tejaswi along with Aruna S.M., a participant in the form of a rap. After reading the poem, Mr. Ravi said that he had rehearsed it for half-an-hour and said that he loved reciting poems during school.
Venkatesh N.H. another autorickshaw driver for 15 years said there was a need to have more programmes like this.
Poet Mamata Sagar who was one of the organisers of the event said: “We want to send out a message that poetry is not merely confined to the elite classes by taking poetry to the streets.”
A gift-a-book programme was also launched during the event. “We have given books to autorickshaw driver who can keep the book in their auto. The passengers can in return exchange books so that books would be circulated,” said Ms. Sagar.
Actor and theatre person, Arundhati Nag, who was present suggested art appreciation classes for auto drivers.
