On a quiet afternoon every month, a group of women gathers at one member’s home in Jalandhar, not for a social gathering or a formal meeting, but to read poetry they have written themselves. Teachers, professors, homemakers and women from different walks of life come together with notebooks in hand, finding in verse a space to express emotions, experiences and ideas that often remain unspoken.

The gatherings are organised by Mahila Kavya Manch, a platform for women poets founded by writer Naresh Naaz. The organisation has a presence in several parts of the state, with district-level units functioning independently and holding monthly poetry sessions.

Unlike many literary organisations, Mahila Kavya Manch does not charge a membership fee. Any woman with an interest in writing poetry can become a member, regardless of her profession or literary background. Sessions are held either online or offline, depending on the convenience of members, while offline meetings are usually hosted at a member’s residence.

For many participants, the platform has become more than a literary forum. In the middle of demanding careers, household responsibilities, and family commitments, the monthly meetings offer dedicated time for creativity and self-expression. Members say the experience of reading their work before an encouraging audience has helped them gain confidence and discover an identity beyond their everyday roles.

The organisation also hosts annual state-level gatherings, bringing together women poets from different districts on a common stage. For many who began by reading poems in a living room, it becomes an opportunity to share their work with a much larger audience.

At a time when social media has made publishing easier but meaningful literary communities harder to find, such gatherings continue to remind participants that poetry is not only meant to be written; it is also meant to be heard.