Offsite9: Hum Saath Saath Hein (We are Together)

Hum Saath Saath Hein (We Are Together) by The Punjabi Women’s Writing Group hopes to enhance community cohesion and nurture a sense of belonging. It aims to strengthen relationships and harmony within the rich, diverse communities who live in Wolverhampton through a poetry event at the city’s Central Library.

Can you tell us about your motivations and practice?
The poetry/writing of The Punjabi Women’s Writing Group is based on real life events and experiences and we take this opportunity to share and tell our stories. We have composed poems on contemporary issues, women’s position in Indian society and our personal experiences. Often we are commissioned to write poems collectively and individually and a theme or title is usually provided to us. The four members of The Punjabi Women’s Writing Group who are participating in Offsite9 have had their work published. This has provided us the encouragement and motivation necessary to continue to be creative and write poetry.

How do you work together?
We regularly hold meetings to discuss on-going issues and work. Once every month we hold workshops to enhance our writing skills and occasionally this can include a guest who demonstrates the art of writing in its many forms, from rhythm and rhyme to stanzas and styles of writing poetry. As group members we often are provided with a theme yet due to our individual style of writing we are able to produce something different which can be very positive and complimentary.

Tell us more about your event.
The title of our project and the forthcoming event is called Hum Saath Saath Hein (Togetherness) and will be held at Wolverhampton Central Library connected to Wolverhampton’s Literature Festival. It will be a colourful event full of Indian culture, with props and displays, food and music. Our poetry will adopt the themes of BAS9 in Wolverhampton with a focus on bringing communities together, celebrating differences and promoting harmony and relationships.

Can you tell us more about the stories and poems?
The stories are based on our experiences. We will use imagery to show, evoke senses and take the listener on a journey poetically within the event. The poems are all written in English with Punjabi/Hindi words which are translated before the performance.

Kindness is Free – Let’s Pass it On

Kanj Nicholas: Kindness is the Heartbeat of Our City

Susan Brisco: The Science of Kindness 

Workshops 15 + 22 February (1-3pm)
Exhibition 5-20 March (11am-3pm)
Newhampton Arts Centre, Free
Booking: Workshops book via newhamptonarts.co.uk / Exhibition: drop in