Whistling Woods International (WWI), Mumbai, marked its Annual Art & Poetry Day on August 18, coinciding with the birth anniversary of legendary lyricist Anand Bakshi, with a celebration of poetry, literature and storytelling featuring some of the country’s leading creative voices.
The event featured a masterclass with theatre director Salim Arif, renowned lyricist Irshad Kamil, author and screenwriter Rakesh Bakshi, and Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai, Aslam Hassan.
Reflecting on the essence of poetry, Salim Arif spoke about its timeless ability to capture the deepest human emotions and its enduring role as a foundation for meaningful storytelling across generations.
The evening also saw the launch of two literary works — Rakesh Bakshi’s book on his father, published in four languages, and Aslam Hassan’s poetry collection, Potli Mein Chand.
One of India’s most celebrated lyricists, Irshad Kamil, encouraged students to remain true to their experiences, embrace authenticity and trust the power of words. He urged aspiring writers and filmmakers to stay curious, observe life closely and believe in the ability of honest storytelling to resonate with audiences.
Speaking about his father, Rakesh Bakshi fondly recalled the extraordinary friendship and creative partnership between Anand Bakshi and filmmaker Subhash Ghai, describing it as one built on mutual respect, trust and artistic excellence. He also referred to Ghai as “a born teacher”, acknowledging his lifelong commitment to nurturing generations of creative talent.
The event also showcased the creative talent of WWI students through musical performances and original poetry recitals. In one of the evening’s most memorable moments, a music student spontaneously composed a tune inspired by the discussion on stage, drawing enthusiastic applause from the panelists. The moment underscored the value of direct interaction between students and accomplished practitioners, turning a classroom conversation into a live creative exchange rather than merely a lecture.
Speaking on the occasion, Subhash Ghai, Founder and Chairman of Whistling Woods International, said, “Art and poetry are the soul of India. They give voice to emotions that visual storytelling alone cannot capture. Celebrating the legendary Anand Bakshi Ji’s legacy is our way of reminding the next generation of creative talent that timeless cinema is always built on the foundation of powerful and heartfelt words.”
