Selection Stories
I’ve had a conversation around poetry before (you can find it on the blog), but one voice is never enough for me. I believe when a topic is close to the heart, it deserves to be explored through different perspectives.
In search of one such voice, I came across Pranav Vashistha — someone who’s been writing and performing poetry for quite some time now. He also balances a full-time IT job, which made his take even more interesting.
He kindly agreed to be part of this conversation for Abhirah, and what followed was an insightful exchange about poems, pauses, and the poet’s life behind the scenes.
Let’s dive in
Q1) What do you usually write about — love, loneliness, society, or something else?
Pranav: Mostly love, because it triggered me to write and express through poetry. Then loneliness — which I believe is often the end product of love.
Q2) Do you remember the first line of poetry you ever wrote? What was the feeling behind it?
Pranav: Oh, it’s been a while now.
Very hard to recall the first line, or even the first poetry.
Q3) What’s your process of writing lyrics or poems — sudden sparks or scheduled writing?
Pranav: I write on phone, because some memory or thought suddenly appears in the form of words or lines, and I pen it down immediately.
Sometimes it’s the opposite — a thought keeps lingering on my mind for days until I get the exact words to make a poetry out of it.
Q4) Do you ever feel exposed or vulnerable after sharing a very personal piece?
Pranav: Yes, very much.
I still haven’t shared my most vulnerable poetries with anyone.
Q5) What advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing poetry but feels shy or unsure?
Pranav: We write poetry because we want to tell the world about how we feel.
Poetry is the escape from shyness.
My advice, if it counts at all, would be to write — not just poetry, but anything.
Q6) Do you ever feel a disconnect between your creative side and your 9-to-5 desk job?
Pranav: Yes, very much.
I remember I did not write anything for over 6 months until I lost my job.
Then as soon as I paused my career, I wrote over half a dozen verses.
So yes, work does not allow me to be a poet 80% of the time.
Q7) How much water do you make a conscious effort to drink every day?
Pranav: I have never paid attention, but now I will.
Q8) Where should a beginner poet start? Any platforms, books, or habits you recommend?
Pranav: When I started writing while being in school, I was just lonely.
Later, when I started writing in Hindi/Urdu, qawwalis inspired me.
Now I read books to get inspiration.
But it doesn’t matter why and how we start as long as we keep going — because everyone has different reasons.
If a beginner is looking for a start, open mics are a good option too.
If you’re not very confident reciting, you can always go and hear other poets.
Q9) What’s one line or poem you’ve written that always motivates you?
Pranav:
“Tu kyu, apne zakhm-o-numaish pe amaada hai,
Faqat dil hi to toota hai, kya zyada hai?”
Or
“Kab talaq saahilon ki aas mein jiya jaye,
Kyun na sauda koi lehro’n se hi kiya jaye?”
Q10) How do you deal with creative blocks — especially when work drains your mind?
Pranav: I love to travel and sit alone just to clear my mind.
I can’t stay at one place for more than 2–3 months, so I go on trips to the mountains — either solo or with friends.
Q11) What is your definition of success?
Pranav: There’s no particular definition of success.
If someone tells you they know about it, they’re probably lying about it — because even the most successful we see are chasing it.
———–Thank You———