“Poetry is what we do. Humor is how we do it.” is what the poets at PACH (Poetry And Cheap Humour) proclaim. A group of poetry enthusiasts meet on every alternate Sunday to find creative expression and hence to relax. Here money and other materialistic things don’t find their place, they say “of emotions and love, PACH is made” Beautiful emotions as well as creative exploration one sees, for this is where poetry is set free.
As PACH turns a year old, The Yellow Sparrow speaks to its founder Anup Bishnoi to find out more about his interesting life and how it led to this innovative start up which is only based on spreading creativity and love.
Q. Tell us about your journey and how it is like to manage a job as well as a creative firm?
A. Art and Coding have always run parallel in my life. They complete me! When I was lucky enough to work in a company doing software coding, I started missing art and then PACH came into my life!
Q. What was the driving force which ensured that PACH keeps growing?
A. I think it is the people associated with PACH. Hum PACH ko kahi nai le jate, ye humei leke jata hai! (We don’t direct PACH anywhere, it is PACH which directs us) To make a special mention, Saumaya, Aastha, Jyoti and Sidhant have been my pillars of strength.
Q. Tell us more about PACH and its journey.
A. On its 1st birthday we made a video that traces the whole journey of PACH. Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/Hj4LrNqjXVg
Q. How much have you invested into this?
A. Leave the money aside, we have invested our hearts into it completely! I mostly invest money when it comes to booking places for the events but sometimes we go to open spaces or to someone’s home which saves that cost. Most of the work is divided among people as they feel emotionally connected to PACH and every one does their bit.
Q. What would you like to tell the young generation after reaching this stage of success?
A. Follow your poems, follow your heart!
Q. Any industry advice you would like to give to the youngsters?
A. Create something interesting, putting your heart into it and the industry will build around you!
Q. Where do you see PACH in the coming 5 years?
A. For me, PACH is like a cute innocent child. People love and adore it as well as more and more people are getting associated with it. It’s a hungry baby who demands our time, creativity and attention. However, we want that it gradually grows up and becomes independent; should sustain itself. Just as we expect a baby to grow up and support its family I wish that PACH too should be able to give those livelihoods who put their heart and soul into it. At the same time, I would never want it to lose its genuine innocence, no matter how big it grows!
Q. Which is your fondest memory related to PACH?
A. Each and every moment spent here has been special. I look forward to my Sundays. To tell you more, here is a poem I wrote:
PACH SHEHER
Ye PACH sheher bhi kamaal hai
Ki log isme nahi, ye logon me basta hai
Kisi ki mashooka kisi ka dard bana baitha hai
Kisi ke pyaar mein sarabor sana baitha hai
Ye sheher na hua ek irada ho gaya
Ki aaj to keh daalunga sab sach
Aur kar hi lo irada to yun sannata ho gaya
Ki tumhari baat sunne ko khada hai PACH
Keh jao, kuch der yahan reh jao
Kabhi naye jud jate hain kuch purane mud bhi jate hain
Magar dekho ghar ko ghar banaye rakhna
Is sheher ko yuhi apne ander banaye rakhna
Koi mehmaan mehmaan na reh paye
Ye pyaar ka samandar banaye rakhna
Ke tumhara wajood jab brahmand me chamkega
Is PACH ki mehfil ka wajood wahi hai bas
Tumhari dil se nikli baat hum sath jo hote hain
Us mulaqat ke visfot ka barood wahi hai bas
Khud ko PACH se samajhte ho to
Ye bas pyaar tumhara hai
PACH hai tumse jo banta hai
Ki iski buniyaad iska aadhaar tumhara hai
Ye sansaar tumhara hai!
Illustrator: Aseem Chawla
