Divya Dureja is an International Spoken Word Poet, Beat Poet and Jazz Poet. She has performed at various platforms like MTV Big Indies India etc. She has the power to capture the minds of the listeners by her poetry style.
For her poems she focuses basically on reflecting situational comedies and uncomfortable realities.
Along with this, she is also the co-founder of “Performers’ Consortium”.
This platform brings artists from different areas of this world to showcase their talent.
Divya’s One of the powerful poetry film ‘An Ode to Vaginismus’ has been screened at International Film Festivals in Europe since 2016.
The latest live show by Performers’ Consortium was “Tales from two Countries”.
1. Why did you choose psychology as your graduation subject?
I took a keen interest in the subject during my school years and won several laurels during inter school psychology debates and group discussions. It was a very innate decision to pursue the subject further in my undergraduate and postgraduate studies, as I had not only developed a knack for grasping its theoretical tenets but also enjoyed its application in daily life.
2.When did you write your first poetry and how old were you?
I believe I wrote my first batch of comprehensible poems in the 8th standard at the age of 13 years.The poems had poured out of me as a coping mechanism to gain insight into the self and deal with the loss of friendships in my teen years.
I had earlier performed at poetry elocution competitions between grade 1 and grade 6 in Delhi and Deharadun but the recitals had been of texts written by renowned poets which my teacher picked out for me.
3. What inspires you to write a poetry? Which style of poetry do you prefer?(Freestyle, Rhyming)
A spoken word poem tends to surface when there is a thought that has marinated in my subconscious for long enough. I also come up with spoken word poems, beat poems and jazz poems on prompts and on requests-like I have done in the past for my themed poetry events as well as or the renowned Indian Jazz Band ‘The Jazz B’stards‘ and for ‘Atulyakala’s Launch of ‘Signs‘ – India’s hearing and speech impaired community’s first clothing line.
I write free verse as well as follow patters sometimes, like ABABCB and so on, when collaborating with musicians. In my spare time, I like coming up with limericks and tend to employ alliterations as often as I can cause it’s fun to have words roll off your tongue during performances.
4. How do you build thoughts to write poetry on? Where do you get the ideas from?
Anything in my surrounding can end up serving as a stimulus for writing poetry. It could be a phrase I just heard or a tune I just listened to or something that jolted me out of my monotony that can act as an impetus to write a piece. At times, it is the deeper reflections and issues I grapple with in my personal and public spaces, that seep into my writings and become the center of attention.
5. Name the 3 poems you are most proud of writing, the ones that you personally cannot forget. And also tell us who your favorite poet is!
Since you really need me to pick 3 and only three, they’d have to be sorry Sarkar ji, criminal Intentions and An Ode to Vaginismus.
It’s been a few years since I really admired a page poet and writer, but lain S. Thomas is one name that comes to my mind who can be slotted in the favorites category. The creative writings and spoken words poems by Hollie McNish really resonate with me and come from a place of truth. So, I’d have to say she’s favorite too.
6. Can you describe the time when you first decided to create a platform like Performers’ Consortium?
It was the month of February in the year 2016 when I took the plunge to form a consortium of performers with my partner Manu Sriram kamath and a few fearlessly talented friends. The need was borne out of the lack of a platform where we could showcase contemporary multi-art-forms and voice our concerns about the times we’re living in, and engage audiences from different walks of life.
7. In your present work, what gives you the most satisfaction? Why?
To be able to create creative spaces and engage with a community of wonderful minds gives me immense joy. It’s heartening to witness and nurture stories and experiences that are courageously wrapped in words and presented in the form of spoken work poetry or songs or interpretive performances. As a promoter of avant-grade and as a performative artist, I’ve come to realize that true beauty lies in collaborative expeditions and creative journeys that propel artistic growth.
8. What do you think are the principles for being an event curator?
Having a creative vision – be it for the theme of the event or the voices you wish to showcase, is imperative. Sometimes, one may have to work their way backwards. Nonetheless, being able to seamlessly carry out delegate the roles of a community engager, emcee, publicist, artist and resource manager is what a curator must be concerned with. Liaising with the right partners whose politics and conscience matches the wavelength of the messages and voices you’re standing by, should be a primary concern of the curator. Having an open and healthy two way channel with the artists to learn when they feel discomfort about the choice of venue or any other aspect of the showcase, helps in avoiding you from muddling the larger or latent message you represent and alienating the people whose art you respect.
Also read “How a 16 year old boy won Gold in International Poetry Competition“
9. Amongst all workshops conducted by you, which one for you was the best?
Though spoken word poetry and interpretive text, from the primary focus of my workshops, I also develop modules related to the field of Psychology. The themes that I touch upon are also the themes that I ensconce in my poems – themes centered around sexual awareness, gender issues, mental health and tacking social taboos to facilitate the formation of a balanced and sensitive outlook. As I see it, if someone walks out of my workshop with a renewed constructive outlook regarding the issues around them, I consider it a successful session and the best one!
10. Tell us something about your new live stage show, tales from Two Countries.
In our new live stage show, we have found ourselves a magical artistic space that combines poetry, experimental theater and interpretive dance with unconventional music that mirrors the verses. the story being told was based on our life and times. We are thankful to all the artists that have given us their time and given a little bit of themselves, in turn, adding layers of profundity to each piece. The themes that were touched upon in the last show ranged from vaginismus, section 377, misogyny, racism, body image to ruminations on the works of the 12th century poet, Mahadevi Akka.
11. What advice do you have for aspiring poets?
Find your calling and find the medium that best facilitates your story – It could be the stage, the page or something else entirely. Poetry is a wonderful medium to express yourself in, but spend time in refining your writing and performing skills before you begin to widely share your works.
Live with your pieces and evolve with them.
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