Where Words Breathe: An Interview with Kunal Jhawar

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Kunal Jhawar is an English and Hindi open mic poet who has been inspiring audiences for over a decade. He is also India’s only poet to have been featured in the IPL and on Hotstar. An engineer by profession, Kunal brings immense passion to his poetry. 

A voice that has been described as 'thought-provoking' and 'unexpectedly intimate', Kunal Jhawar is well known for the heartfelt poetry that he writes.  He is also the founder of kalArt – a platform for poetry and storytelling. His poems carry a lot of emotional storytelling. 

Some of his best poems include One Sided Friendship, Kuch Aisi Hai Mohabbat, Aakhri Mulaqaat, Ek Sheher, Bas Tumhe Dekhta Rahoon, Yun Hota To Kya Hota,  Woh Tera Muskurana, A Love Poem, Yun Hota To Kya Hota, and Kuch Aisi Hai Mohabbat and Sach. He is well known amongst the poetry circuit in Mumbai. 


Karina Pandya gets candid with Kunal



Q1) You’ve built a strong identity as both a poet and a founder—how do you usually introduce yourself to someone new?

I tell them, I am a poet by passion and engineer and artpeeneur by profession.


Q2) Do you remember the first poem you ever wrote? What inspired it?

It was for my father in his memories after he passed away


Q3) What draws you to poetry as a medium instead of other forms of expression?

Grief and love are the two main drawing factors for me.


Q4) Your work often feels deeply personal—how do you decide what to share and what to keep private?

I share with the world with the hope that someone else out there needs to heal too, who feels similar to what I am feeling.


Q5) Which poets, writers, or life experiences have shaped your voice the most?

Rakesh Tiwari has inspired me, and so has Hussain Haidry


Q6) Do you write more from emotion in the moment, or through reflection afterwards?

More from emotions


Q7) What inspired you to start KalArt? Was there a specific moment or gap you wanted to address?

I wanted an art-rich content platform, and that idea shaped into Kalart


Q8) What does KalArt stand for beyond being just an art platform?

It's an open space where art takes the primary place.

Q9) How do you balance your identity as an artist with your responsibilities as a founder?

By keeping them free on ideas and bound on ethics

Q10) What challenges did you face while building KalArt from scratch?

Money is the primary concern to meet the expenses of running a platform

Q11) How has poetry changed you as a person?

It made me clearer in my thought process

Q12) If you could leave aspiring artists with one piece of advice, what would it be?

Be free and be fearless.


Rapid Fire:

  • One word that defines your poetry: Sukoon
  • Favourite poem (yours or someone else’s): Kal ho na ho
  • Writing at night or in the morning? Night mostly 
  • A line you live by: Har pal yaha jee bhar jiyo, jo hai samaa Kal ho na ho  

 

 

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