Selection Stories
I’ve always found poetry fascinating—not because I understood it from the beginning, but because I didn’t. How can someone say so much in so few words? That question has stayed with me since childhood. When something feels difficult to me, and I see someone else doing it effortlessly, I get curious—and deeply respectful. That’s probably why I’m drawn to good poets. It’s not just their words—it’s what’s behind them.
So, I began exploring not just poems, but also the stories behind the poets themselves. That’s how I started curating conversations for abhirah—about poetry, the people who write it, and the lives they live outside of it.
And that’s how I found Noopur.
She’s not just someone who writes poetry—she lives it. An aspiring poet and lyricist, Noopur began her journey in April last year. During the week, she works full-time in the FinTech sector. But come weekend, she’s at open mics, performing verses that come from the heart.
Her social media is filled with gems from Hindi and Urdu literature—classic ghazals, timeless poems, and occasionally, her own pieces. What stands out is her intention: she isn’t just sharing lines; she’s sharing the love she has for poetry and the poets who shaped it.
When I asked her for a conversation, she seemed just as excited as I was—and that’s where this story begins.
Q1) How did your journey as a poet and lyricist begin?
Noopur: My journey as a poet started quite unexpectedly. I’ve loved reading poetry and literature since childhood, and I grew up in a household where ghazals were a regular part of life. But honestly, I never thought of writing one myself. I used to write a bit for the school magazine—though looking back, most of it was pretty childish.
It wasn’t until about two years ago that things started to change. I shared a few of my pieces with some friends, and to my surprise, they really liked them. At that time, I didn’t know much about poetic rules, meter, or structure—I was just writing from the heart.
Then I attended my first open mic, and that experience made me take writing more seriously. Since then, I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can—reading, listening, and growing. I still consider myself an amateur, and I know there’s a long way to go. But the process of learning and expressing is what keeps me going.
Q2) What tips do you have for people juggling a 9–5 job with their creative passion?
Noopur: Don’t give up—seriously. It does get tough, especially when you’re trying to balance everything. Managing time between a corporate job and a creative pursuit isn’t easy. I still find myself juggling both, and there are moments when it all feels overwhelming.
But every time I sit down to write something meaningful, or perform a piece that connects with people, it reminds me why I started. In those moments—the stress, the late nights, the self-doubt—it all feels worth it.
The journey isn’t always smooth, but persistence makes all the difference. So keep going. Even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days.
Q3) How do you switch between logic and emotion so smoothly?
Noopur: As women, we’re often naturally taught to navigate between logic and emotion—it’s a part of how many of us are raised. We learn to think with our heads while still feeling deeply with our hearts. That balance becomes second nature, whether we realize it or not.
Q4) Do deadlines and targets affect your creativity?
Noopur: Yes, deadlines can get in the way of creativity. I haven’t yet learned how to write just for the sake of it. Right now, I write to express what I feel—when something moves me, confuses me, or demands to be put into words. It’s still a deeply personal process for me.
Q5) What’s your process of writing lyrics or poems—sudden sparks or scheduled writing?
Noopur: I’m an impulsive writer—most of my pieces begin as sudden bursts of emotion. It’s usually something I feel deeply in the moment that pushes me to write. But once that initial spark is out, I revisit the piece with a more focused mind. That part is more structured and intentional. So while the beginning is always spontaneous, the refinement is where the real work begins.
Q6) What was your first open mic like? Nervous or liberating?
Noopur: My first open mic was more of a bucket-list experience than anything else. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. I never imagined I’d end up doing it regularly. I was incredibly nervous—literally shaking—but the moment I stepped on stage, something shifted. It felt liberating, like I had finally found a space where I could truly express myself. It’s been over a year now, and what started as a one-time thing has turned into something I keep coming back to, again and again.
Q7) What’s harder: expressing love or pain in words?
Noopur: For me, expressing love in poetry is far more difficult than expressing pain. Pain is familiar—something I’ve sat with, understood, and carried in different forms. But love feels distant, almost like a language I haven’t fully learned yet. So while pain flows easily onto the page, love takes its time with me.
Q8) Have you spent more on books and open mics than on stocks and savings?
Noopur: I’ve definitely spent more on books than anything else. As for open mics, I didn’t invest much there—after a few months, I started getting invited to perform, which made the journey somewhat easier.
Q9) What’s your advice for someone stuck between money and meaning?
Noopur: There’s no denying that money is important—it’s necessary to live and thrive. But don’t let it consume you completely. Earn enough to sustain yourself, but make sure you also do something that nourishes your soul. That balance is what truly makes life meaningful.
Q10) Where should a beginner poet start? Any platforms, books, or habits you recommend?
Noopur: There’s no single book or platform that’s perfect for everyone—each person is different, and so are their preferences. But what I can say for sure is: read as much as you can. Reading is the most helpful thing for any writer. Whenever I feel stuck, I turn to poetry or literature, and it always sparks new ideas.
To write well, you need to expand your knowledge and embrace a variety of perspectives. The more you expose yourself to different voices and styles, the richer your own writing will become.
Q11) How much water do you make a conscious effort to drink every day?
Noopur: I try to drink at least two liters of water every day, but I often fail to meet that goal. I struggle with discipline when it comes to self-care, and it’s something I definitely need to work on.
Q12) What’s one line or poem you’ve written that always motivates you?
Noopur: To be honest, I don’t think I’ve written a piece yet that completely satisfies me. But the one I’m most proud of so far is a ghazal titled “To Aap Murda Ho Gaye.”
Here’s a couplet from it:
“Dil mein na koi aas hai, ankhon mein sapna bhi nahin
Gar khwab ke bin hain yahan, to aap murda ho gaye.”
Q13) What is life according to you?
Noopur: I know it sounds cliché, but life really is like a roller coaster—sometimes terrifying, often thrilling, and always full of surprises. Every twist and turn brings something new to discover. It’s a never-ending journey of learning and growth, and that’s what makes it so exciting.
———–Thank You———