Bookbag's Poetry Night: The story of how it began

Sirisha Damarla is a writer and artist from Bengaluru, India, currently based in Newton Abbot, UK. In 2020, in the middle of lockdown, they moved to the UK to complete their Master's in Creative Writing from the University of Exeter. In this piece, they narrate the events in their life that led them to arrive at Bookbag and start a poetry night.

Poetry as an expression: a necessity for existence

Poetry arrived in my life when I was least expecting it, like a summer breeze tracing the edges of a window, playing with the curtains, flirting with the pages in a book; I suppose the most impactful, influential things arrive without much pomp and circumstance.

I was 14 at the time, reading Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, William Wordsworth, Robert Frost, John Keats, T.S. Eliot and wondering how to express myself like they did (but better because I’d be able to relate to my words). I persisted in writing “bad” poetry with writing prompts, exercises, and YouTube as my guides.

As I got better at expressing myself, the art of spoken word attracted me. I discovered others near me who enjoyed poetry as much as I did. They got together once a month, occupying different spaces across the city (I lived in Bengaluru) and performing for each other, under fairy lights, under rainy skies, on lawns, in gardens, in cafe’s. So many of us came for the vibes; we stayed - strangers - sharing in each other's triumphs, tears, complicated familial relationships, disabling disabilities, small little joys.

What started as a get-together soon became a community of thousands - a place where everyone felt accepted, appreciated, treasured.

When I moved to the UK, the pandemic had stilled Exeter, the city stood motionless, dystopian. And when I went to the few events that were being held in the city (mostly online) I stood out as a visibly brown, queer, disabled individual - not always in a good way. I longed for the community I had back in India. I also wondered where people like me - people who don’t fit in - could go, where everyone felt safe and welcome. After months of searching and being told to move to London or Bristol to find my “community”, I approached Charlie to see if the bookshop could be a safe space.

Thus began Bookbag by Night. 

If you are looking for a cozy space to read your poetry or listen to some, do come along!