Whistling Woods International (WWI) celebrated its annual Art & Poetry Day on Tuesday to mark the birth anniversary of legendary lyricist Anand Bakshi. The event brought together poets, lyricists, writers and students to honour the role of poetry in Indian cinema and storytelling.
WWI Founder and Chairman Subhash Ghai said art and poetry have always been at the heart of Indian culture and continue to inspire meaningful storytelling. He said remembering Anand Bakshi’s legacy is a way to encourage young creative professionals to value the power of words in cinema.
The event also saw the launch of two books — Rakesh Bakshi’s book on Anand Bakshi, published in four languages, and poet Aslam Hassan’s poetry collection, “Potli Mein Chand.”
A panel discussion moderated by theatre director Salim Arif featured lyricist Irshad Kamil, author and screenwriter Rakesh Bakshi, and Aslam Hassan. The speakers discussed the importance of poetry, creativity and authentic storytelling. Irshad Kamil encouraged students to remain curious, write from personal experiences and trust the strength of honest expression.
During the discussion, Rakesh Bakshi shared memories of the creative partnership between his father Anand Bakshi and filmmaker Subhash Ghai. He also praised Ghai’s contribution as a mentor to young creative talent.
Students of Whistling Woods International presented musical performances and original poetry recitals during the programme. One of the highlights of the evening was a spontaneous musical composition by a music student, inspired by the on-stage discussion, which received appreciation from the audience and panelists.
According to the institute, the annual Art & Poetry Day reflects its commitment to promoting India’s literary heritage while encouraging future filmmakers, writers and artists to explore the creative power of poetry and storytelling.