Letter from the founder

Dear reader,

The issue that you’re about to delve into is an incredibly special one, and something that we, at Ayaskala, haven’t ever done before. It’s a curation of the poems a group of women wrote as a part of our first Poetry Writing Retreat.

In January, this retreat was a wild thought. A dream. A branch that I wanted Ayaskala to sprout and nourish, without having any idea how. I remember sharing it with a few friends, and each one of them responded to me in a similar fashion. They knew I was ready for it, even before I did.

The moment I had conceptualised this retreat, I knew I wanted it to be a space for women. The why is a particularly long conversation; you can write to me if it’s one you’d like to engage in.

So, on a whim, I decided to announce our first-ever offline experience — a poetry writing retreat for women. With only a 3-week advance notice, I didn’t expect much, but the response I got moved me. I had so many women in my inbox telling me how much they wanted a space like this, and how I must keep it going. And I couldn’t believe it when, in such a short span, the retreat was full. The sheer support I felt from everybody who knew me and Ayaskala…I don’t think I have any words to describe it. All that I felt, and continue to feel, is grateful. So, so grateful.

The poems you’ll read in this issue were conceived in two days. These women gathered from all across the country to experience what I was curating.

Some of them were looking for a break from the city. Some wanted to get back to writing. Some had never published a word. Some wanted to escape the creative block they had been experiencing. But all had a common thread that pulled them to this retreat — the desire to create.

I believe I was merely a vessel in facilitating the creativity and poetry that they already embodied. And I couldn’t be more proud of each one of them. I’ve said it a million times now, but it’s absolutely true: this issue is special.

The poets have attempted to give us, the readers, an insight into their inner tapestries. They’ve welcomed us into their space, their own, their room. And through this issue, we get to see a lot of who they are. Isn’t that something so special?

I hope, from the bottom of my heart and soul, that you enjoy reading this issue as much as I enjoyed curating it.

Warmth,
Vaishnavi Sharma
(Founder)