Bangloreans taste slam poetry

Imagine poetry as an acoustic phenomenon. Powerful ideas in words, performed or even sung with sound effects on a stage. That is what Bas Bottcher’s slam poetry is.

The German poet, the first to have introduced this literary genre in his country, presented it for a small group of keen audience at the Bangalore Literature Festival on the opening day. As a genre, it originated in the America of the 1970s and ‘80s. Slam poets in New York and Chicago turned their private readings into an impromptu stage performance using beats and rhythm to connect to the audience.

“Unlike page poetry (meaning written poetry) where every word exists at the same time, stage poetry is connected to time. On the stage, every word, every idea exists at that very second when it is said,” Bottcher explained. All his poems are rhythmic. Besides making it musical for the audience, rhythm also helps Bottcher memorise them easily.

“Slam poetry is about communication, connecting the poet and audience. On stage, the poem is a mixture of idea, sound and the performing poet,” he said.

He demonstrated it with one of his poems. The German slam poems he performed also tested out the idea that language wouldn’t come in the way of music or rhythm. The audience sure seemed to enjoy his rendition. Many of them dabbled with poetry and were eager to learn a few tricks and techniques from the poet.