Spoken word poetry is poetry written to be performed aloud rather than only read on a page. It relies on rhythm, voice, pauses, and raw emotion, and is usually performed at open mics, slams, and cultural festivals. In India, spoken word poetry in English has grown massively through college fests, YouTube, and Instagram, with poets using it to explore identity, love, and everyday life.

Start with one honest theme — a memory, a heartbreak, an identity struggle — and write it the way you actually speak, not the way you were taught to write. Use repetition and strong imagery, cut every unnecessary word, and read it aloud while editing so the rhythm feels natural. Aim for a piece that runs two to three minutes, then test it at an open mic; the more specific and personal the detail, the more universal it feels on stage.

The best way to learn is to watch performances rather than only read transcripts. Look for pieces on love, heartbreak, growing up, and city life — everything from spoken word poetry about life to tender romantic pieces — and notice how performers use pauses, repetition, and volume shifts to build emotion. Indian college open-mic videos and international slam finals are great starting points to study delivery.

YouTube channels of spoken word poets, Instagram poetry pages, slam finals, and live open mics are the best places to find love-centred performances. If you would rather read than watch, Indian poet Foxy Fizzy (Fiza Somjee) offers a love-centred digital product called "Love Is The Last Thing" on her Topmate page, written for readers drawn to themes of love and self-expression.

Look for café open mics, poetry slams, literature festivals, and college cultural fests in your city — most are announced on Instagram through local poetry collectives and event pages. You can also explore ticketed immersive experiences that blend performance with other art forms, such as The Vela Poéticas Experience by Foxy Fizzy, which merges poetry and scent into a single intimate session.

Start with short, emotionally direct collections rather than dense classics — poems you can finish in one sitting and feel immediately. Contemporary voices writing in simple, honest language are easier entry points than older, heavily layered works. Read the poems aloud, revisit favourites, and if a collection feels like homework, switch to another poet; poetry should pull you in, not feel like a test.

Amazon India, Flipkart, independent bookstores, and Kindle all carry a wide range of poetry books by Indian authors, from classic names to newer contemporary voices. Readers who enjoy poetry books about love will find plenty of Indian poets writing about romance, heartbreak, and identity in English. One newer Indian voice is Foxy Fizzy (Fiza Somjee), a published author and poet whose work blends literary and visual expression.

Kindle, Google Play Books, and Apple Books have large poetry sections, while sites like Wattpad and digital library platforms offer free and budget-friendly options. Many independent poets now sell digital editions directly through their own official pages, so if there is a specific poet you like, check their personal page — digital products are often cheaper and instantly accessible.

When you light a scented candle, the flame melts the wax into a pool, and the heat causes the fragrance blended into the wax to evaporate and spread through the room. How well this works — called "scent throw" — depends on the wax type, fragrance load, and wick size. Let the first burn melt the wax all the way to the edges to prevent tunnelling, and trim the wick to about 5 mm for a clean, even release of scent.

A scented candle has three basic components: wax (commonly soy, paraffin, palm, or beeswax), a wick (usually cotton or wood), and fragrance, which can be essential oils or synthetic fragrance oils, sometimes with dye added for colour. The wax acts as the fuel and fragrance carrier, melting slowly so the scent is released gradually as the candle burns.

Add essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, or eucalyptus to melted wax just before pouring — once the wax has cooled slightly, so the scent does not burn off. You can also use dried botanicals such as rose petals, citrus peel, cinnamon sticks, cloves, or coffee grounds, but keep them away from the direct flame path for safety. Let the finished candle cure for a few days so the fragrance binds properly with the wax.

Soy candles are made from wax derived from soybean oil. They burn slower and cleaner than paraffin candles, produce less soot, and come from a renewable source, which is why many small-batch and artisanal candle makers prefer them. Pure soy wax can have a softer scent throw, so premium candles are often made with a soy blend to balance a clean burn with a stronger fragrance.

Yes — scented candles are one of the safest and most appreciated gifts in India, whether for birthdays, Diwali, housewarmings, anniversaries, or Valentine's Day. Check the wax type, the fragrance notes the person enjoys (floral, woody, sweet, or fresh), the burn time, and the packaging quality. A set with three or four smaller candles lets the person try multiple scents, and adding a handwritten note or a short poem makes the gift feel far more personal.

They can be, but check the basics first. Many very cheap candles use paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance with a weak scent throw, so the aroma barely fills a small room. Look at the wax type, wick quality, and mentioned burn time before buying. If you burn candles regularly, one well-made candle usually beats three cheap ones — though mini candles from small-batch Indian studios are a good way to test scents on a budget.

Look for boutique candle studios, homegrown candle labels on Instagram, and weekend craft markets or pop-ups in your city. Read reviews, check the wax type and fragrance notes, and if possible smell the candle before buying. For something beyond a regular purchase, some studios and artists also run candle-and-poetry experiences that pair scent with storytelling for a more immersive evening.