NDTV is set to bring back its cultural platform Creators Manch for its second season this March, bringing together some of India’s most prominent poets, writers, lyricists, performers and storytellers for two evenings of poetry, conversation, music and live performance.

Scheduled for March 14 and 15 at Sunder Nursery, the event promises a vibrant cultural gathering where language, imagination and artistic expression come together in a celebration of contemporary Indian creativity.

According to an NDTV press release, Creators Manch Season 2 aims to create a shared space for artists and audiences to engage with literature, poetry and storytelling through live conversations and performances. The two-day programme will feature a diverse line-up of celebrated literary and cultural voices reflecting the evolving landscape of India’s creative expression.

The festival will open on March 14 with a series of poetry sessions, performances and conversations. One of the key highlights of the evening will be a special fireside conversation titled ‘Khulti Girahen – Between the Lines’ with acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who will reflect on storytelling, performance and the emotional craft that shapes powerful narratives in cinema and literature. The evening will also feature ‘Kehna-Sunna’ with noted poet and lyricist Alok Srivastav, who will share poetry that bridges literary expression with contemporary lyricism.

The programme will begin with the session ‘Kavita Aaj Ki – Voice of Today’ featuring poet Manmeet Soni, setting the tone for a wider exploration of contemporary Hindi poetry. This will be followed by ‘Kavita Ki Dhun – Where Poetry Meets Music’, a musical-poetic performance by singer and performer Neeru Soni, popularly known as the Boxing Nightingale, blending poetry with live music.

The evening will also host a lively Jugalbandi session featuring poets Ismail Raaz, Zubair Ali Tabish, Sharya Kirti, Varun Anand and Rohit Sharma, offering an engaging exchange of poetic voices and styles. The first day will conclude with ‘Rhythmic Kamil’, a special performance by celebrated lyricist and poet Irshad Kamil along with his band, presenting a powerful blend of poetry, music and live performance.

The celebrations will continue on March 15 with another evening dedicated to literature, performance and storytelling. The programme will open with ‘Lekhak Ka Aakash – The Writer’s Horizon’, a discussion featuring Vyomesh Shukla, Naveen Chaudhury, Jaya Jadwani and publisher Alind Maheshwari, examining the evolving role of writers and publishers in contemporary India.

Another session titled ‘Kala Ka Anuvaad – Transforming Art’ will feature poet and painter Prayag Shukla along with poets Gargi Mishra and Soni Pandey, exploring how creative ideas travel across different artistic mediums. The discussion ‘K Se Kavita – Verses Unfold’ will bring together noted Hindi poets Geet Chaturvedi, Anuradha Singh and Vipin Chaudhary to reflect on the changing landscape of Hindi poetry and its connection with younger audiences.

The evening will also feature a musical performance by the Sadho Band before the session ‘Dil Ki Kalam Se’ with renowned poet, lyricist and author Manoj Muntashir. Poet Pankaj Jeena will present the session ‘Ek Narm Ahsas – Echo of Words’, while poet and storyteller Priya Malik will host ‘Ahsason Ki Shaam – Harmony of Words’, blending music and spoken word.

The programme will also feature a traditional Dastangoi performance by Himanshu Bajpai and Pragya Sharma, reviving one of the subcontinent’s most evocative storytelling traditions. A major highlight of the evening will be the Mushaira session ‘Shaam-e-Sukhan’, featuring celebrated Urdu poets Mehshar Afridi, Khushbir Singh Shaad, Iqbal Ashar, satirical poet Popular Meeruthi and the legendary Waseem Barelvi.

The festival will also feature a special appearance by celebrated lyricist, poet and author Prasoon Joshi in the session ‘Shabd Sitara – The Wordsmith’s Spark’, where he will reflect on language, creativity and the enduring power of words.

Reflecting on the diversity of voices coming together at the event, Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, said that Creators Manch celebrates the extraordinary range of India’s creative voices, from poetry and literature to music, cinema and storytelling. He noted that the second season brings together some of the country’s most compelling poets, performers and storytellers, creating an experience where ideas and artistic expression come alive before a live audience.

Across two evenings, Creators Manch Season 2 promises to celebrate India’s rich literary and artistic traditions, bringing together poets, performers, musicians and storytellers in a shared cultural experience that highlights the voice of creative India.