Bhoole-Bisre: An Evening of Poetry, Music and Memories at KavitaKAFE
Koregaon Park, 22nd October 2026: Some memories refuse to fade. They return through a familiar song, an old photograph, a forgotten conversation or a few lines of poetry that suddenly feel like our own story. Celebrating these fragments of life, KavitaKAFE is bringing Bhoole-Bisre, a poetry open mic centred on memories, on October 25, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Monalisa Kalagram, Koregaon Park, Pune.
The evening will bring together poets, music and shared experiences, creating a space where the past can be revisited, one verse at a time. From cherished moments and unfinished conversations to people and places that time has carried away, memories often find their most honest expression in poetry.
For Garima Mishra, founder of KavitaKAFE, giving each gathering a distinct identity is an essential part of the experience. “Since the beginning, we have titled our events something or the other rather than calling them just ‘open mic’ events. While it isn’t compulsory for participants to recite on the chosen theme, it gives them an opportunity to think out of the box and write something new instead of presenting something they have already written,” she says.
This approach has helped make KavitaKAFE’s gatherings more than platforms for recitation. Each theme offers a creative prompt, encouraging participants to explore familiar emotions from fresh perspectives while leaving room for individual expression.
At Bhoole-Bisre, the poetry will be complemented by music. Sufi singer Omkar Zanjote will bring his distinctive musical expression to the evening, while Anupam Banerjee will revisit the charm of classic Bollywood numbers. Together, poetry and music promise to evoke the nostalgia of melodies and words that stay with us long after the moment has passed.
“I have performed at multiple places, but the understanding of music and the appreciation I receive at KavitaKAFE are unmatched. I value my association with KavitaKAFE,” says Omkar, reflecting on his experience with the platform.
That sense of belonging is echoed by its performers. Chinmayee Katre, who has been associated with KavitaKAFE since June 2026, describes it as a family where mutual respect, integrity and faith make every poet feel welcome and valued. She credits Garima’s warmth, the professionalism behind each event and the way every performer is acknowledged and appreciated for creating an atmosphere that leaves people feeling happy, content and glad to belong.
Nisha Vikas, an attendee, shares a similar sentiment: “Our association with KavitaKAFE is relatively new, yet we have experienced a remarkable human touch and a very systematic approach to every event. We are proud to be a permanent part of this wonderful family.”
Started in 2024, KavitaKAFE has steadily expanded its literary footprint beyond poetry gatherings to include literary discussions and, more recently, Authors’ Adda, a literary initiative launched in July. The platform has already hosted the launch of two books: Behind the Big Screen: The Untold Stories of Child Actors by journalist and author Sunanda Mehta and Suchitra Iyer, and Adhoori Khwahishon Ne: Unfulfilled Desires by Dinesh Raheja.
Lisa Pingale, founder of Monalisa Kalagram, where KavitaKAFE has hosted its poetry events for nearly two years, welcomes this growing literary engagement. “KavitaKAFE is giving a boost to classic Hindi literature while also encouraging new authors simultaneously. We are more than happy to collaborate with them in this literary journey, as we believe in encouraging all art forms,” she says.
With poets Ravi Acharya, Tejal Jain, Bhakti Sathye, Rajshree, Priyadarshini Pragyan, Chinmayee Katre, Meha Chopra, Nilofer, Bobby Mittal, Devv, Sarthak Sinha, Vinay Gangil, Shahbaaz Khan and Vikas Mohan taking the stage, Bhoole-Bisre promises an afternoon of personal reflections, familiar melodies and stories that may belong to one person yet resonate with many.
After all, memories may be deeply personal, but poetry has a way of making them universal.
