Vizag, renowned for its rich literary and artistic heritage, is an abode to legendary writers like Gurajada, SriSri, Aarudra, Raavi Sastry, Bharago, Kavana Sarma, and Chalam, who have consistently been a source of inspiration for generations to come. Unlike other cities, Vizag has also earned pride in national literary forums.
For example, writers like Shri LR Swamy brought fame to the Vizag literary world by receiving the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award. Organizations like Sahradaya Sahiti, Mosaic, Sahitya Surabhi, and Visakha Sahiti have served literary enthusiasts in the past few decades.
However, as we know, “Time is not in our hands”; change is compulsory. Generations pass away, and young intellectuals always blossom like sacred flowers to carry the legacy forward. We are in the 21st century, and literature is not restricted to closed doors. It is available to youth and veterans through various modes like smartphones and mobile applications. Aspiring writers are continually enhancing their skills and producing literature with novelty and creative approaches.
Recently, a young team in Vizag took the same opportunity to start a literary club called “Vizag Writers.” It successfully conducted its first “Open Mic” at Roto Restaurant, Siripuram, Visakhapatnam, on 23rd March 2024. Being the brainchild of Neha, “Vizag Writers” started as a WhatsApp group named “Inscribers” a few years ago and is now striving to establish itself as a more committed literary community.
The first “Open Mic” of “Vizag Writers” received a great response, with aspiring writers showcasing their literary talents through poetry and storytelling. Raviteja, an aspiring filmmaker and writer, shared his thoughts and also delivered inputs on how literature is influencing present-day directors and how storytelling can change the lives of creative aspirants.
Another writer, Sharath Chandra, shared his poems and mentioned how cultivating book reading habits changed his path. Sharath is also a blogger and runs a website with his writings named raatalu.com. Published Author and Teacher Ms. Vijayabhanu Kote and Heutagogy Trainer Shri Bangarraju graced the event and provided valuable feedback and suggestions to the younger community. The founder of the “Vizag Writers” group, Neha, expressed her delight at the attendance of the writers and their expression of love for writing.
At the inaugural “Open Mic,” over 20 writers took part, including Bhaskar, Babu, Revanth, Madhu, Ravi, Jagadish, Bharath, Rajith, Rashmi, Shanmukh, Yagna, Balaram, Krishna, and more. The “Vizag Writers” group is gearing up for additional events shortly, and we extend our best wishes to this community of aspiring writers.