Echoes of heart: ‘Rumaaniyat’ to celebrate poetry’s eternal romance

The serene hills of Kangra will soon resonate with verse and melody as Rehbar—a literary and cultural initiative founded by shayar Sujit Sahgal ‘Haasil’ and his wife, interior designer Veena Sahgal—hosts its flagship event “Rumaaniyat — Celebrating the Romance of Poetry” on May 3 at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) in Dharamsala.

In a special effort to nurture emerging talent, Rehbar is currently hosting an inter-college poetry open mic competition, where young poets from native colleges can earn the chance to perform on Rumaaniyat’s main stage—an invaluable opportunity for gaining exposure and confidence. Sujit Sahgal, while visiting various colleges to invite participation, emphasised the importance of connecting local youth to this cultural celebration.

In an era dominated by fleeting digital content, Rumaaniyat offers a heartfelt invitation to slow down, reflect and reconnect with the timeless power of poetry and soulful music. It’s not just an event—it’s a cultural movement, a “Vapasi ka Daur” (Era of return), where hearts meet words and creativity finds a home.

Complementing the poetry will be a stirring performance by Sufi Bandhu, an eight-member ensemble known for its mystical and soul-stirring renditions. The event will also be graced by esteemed guests such as Nusrat Mehdi, chairperson of the Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy; Ustad Atar Shakeel from Nagina, Uttar Pradesh and youth poetry mentor Navin Joshi, founder of the Inshaad Foundation.

Sujit Sahgal, a retired investment banker who settled in Kangra in 2021 after a 30-year career in Singapore, has been serving the literary and cultural field through various initiatives. He has authored two books, Rural India and Agritech, and through Rehbar, he continues to nurture a love for literature with programmes like Shaam-e-Sukhan—a lecture series on Urdu poetry—and Master the Art of Urdu Shayari—a four-day residential masterclass offering deep immersion into the poetic craft.

The event at TIPA will feature twelve acclaimed poets from across India, showcasing a vibrant blend of generations—from promising voices in their 20s to the legendary 92-year-old Sahitya Akademi Award winner Krishn Kumar Toor. The line-up includes poets from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Rajasthan and Bhopal, promising an unforgettable celebration of poetry, music and culture.

Himachal Tribune