Goa was privy to the realm of experimental and experiential poetry that combines
performing arts along with the written word, making it a power packed delivery
of emotions. Rochelle D’silva poet and spoken word artist brought this
interesting format aptly titled Black Box that she has been experimenting with
for the first time to Goa. Of Goan origin, Rochelle has lived in Australia and
Mumbai before recently making a shift back to her roots. Black Box aims to push
the boundaries of what is possible by blurring the lines between different art
forms and genres.
Those walking into the tranquil space of
Shala 142 in Assagao weren’t sure of what to expect and perhaps that’s exactly
what Rochelle had in mind. There was a palpable bohemian vibe with a motley
group of people that assembled silently. This is Goa, the land of the free
minded and spirited – it wasn’t surprising to see a good turnout but apparently
it isn’t the norm either. Poetry in general seems to have a select audience and
in Goa, the organisers didn’t really know what to expect. So, we were on even
keel – both performer and audience leaving their expectations at the doorstep.
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When Rochelle took centrestage, her energy, her words, her
candour and her spunk hit all at once. Her self deprecating style and humour
guided her audience into experiencing each of her poems intensely. While she
feeds off the energy of her audience, it is apparent that we, her audience drew
just as much from her. Collaborating with Joe Ferrao, a guitarist and Rea
Burman, a contemporary dancer; the words and the beauty of each poem that
revolved around love, longing and loss was most delicately delivered with the
accompanying performers.
It must be challenging and draining for a poet to let so much of
her life be open to scrutiny, especially so in a public performance – so many
of her private feelings exposed. Rochelle shares, “My life is a lesson in
letting go. By sharing my words with my audience, it gives me the agency to go
beyond myself and connect with people who have similar emotions, similar
stories. Only when performance poetry comes from deep within you can it be
truly yours and only then does it have the desired impact. It can’t just be
written keeping a specific audience in mind.”
With
a hip flask in hand and a sunny smile that betrays all her feelings of deep loss,
Rochelle made this an evocative evening. More power to performance poetry. More
encouragement for blurring lines and expectations, more fist pumps for artists
and writers who collaborate and break all those boxes that contain and limit
artists within a box. Let’s hope that the black box is kicked open permitting
Goa to thrive in this sphere. Rochelle and her team just made it possible.
