Usha - Poetry And Stand-Up Make Me Think About The World, And I Try To Reflect The Same In My Performance (Fashion Business Educator and Poet From India)

I admire Ali Wong, and Fran Lebowitz; she is not a comedian but an American Author, I admire her oratory which is extremely comical, and Mehmood.

1. How did you get into poetry and stand-up?

I always thought and think that I was a very good observer which led me to poetry and stand-up. My father had a very keen interest in literature and cinema. My father was an inspiration for me; he always encouraged me to be acquainted with the performing arts. I was one of those kids who always participated in all the competitions at school, including debates and other literary events. I started writing at the age of 9 years, and at that age, I was watching only Mehmood’s movies as he was the only actor we were allowed to watch in Hindi. We were not allowed to watch TV. Stand-up happened later in 2022; I went to watch my friend and the very next day, I performed for the first time. I always thought I could do it, and my curiosity made it happen. Poetry and stand-up make me think about the world, and I try to reflect the same in my performance.

2. Your top three favorite comedians?

I admire Ali Wong, Fran Lebowitz; she is not a comedian but an American Author, I admire her oratory which is extremely comical, and Mehmood.

3. Biggest challenge juggling poetry and comedy?

I think when you explore both the art forms, people who produce the shows hesitate and think that one can’t be funny at the same time when you write something delicate like poetry. I remember someone commented once, ”I got the mic since I am a girl.”

4. One performance that sticks with you?

It happened very recently on my birthday. I wanted to do something meaningful for myself. It was a women's audience; I mostly cracked jokes about dating culture and society. I got a very good response. I don’t watch myself after performing, but I still feel that I should watch that day’s video.

5. What is your favorite poetry and why?

I can’t choose a favorite; however, I admire Emily Dickinson and Parveen Shakir a lot. I enjoy "Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant — (1263)" by Emily Dickinson, and it goes as:

   "Tell all the truth but tell it slant —

   Success in Circuit lies

   Too bright for our infirm Delight

   The Truth's superb surprise

   As Lightning to the Children eased

   With explanation kind

   The Truth must dazzle gradually

   Or every man be blind —"

I like how the posthumous poet wrote mysteriously yet funnily. She was considered to be a secret poet, and her body of work comes across me as satirical and open with style.

6. What is your favorite book and why?

"Parineeta" is my favorite book - a novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. When I read this book, I was in 3rd standard; later I re-read the book now, and it is different. Suddenly, it is not a love story anymore for me. The novel presents the nuances of society and centers around a 13-year-old girl, Lalita. I find it extremely relatable when it comes to women and how society thinks about women. It stands true even in our modern world. I think books have a way of showing us the world, literally and figuratively.

BIO:

Usha is a Fashion Business Educator and Brand Marketing professional, currently based in Delhi. Poetry has been an integral part and guiding source of her being since childhood. Lucknow and her father are the two biggest inspirations for her to become a poet and practice poetry. Classic English Literature is something that inspires her to relook at the nuances of society with deeper meaning. She also performs stand-up comedy. Her poetry, and comic style address issues and harmony that define the modern world and its existence.

Interviewed By- Mishika Goel 

Edited By- Pragya Lamba