Immerse yourself in soul-stirring poetry by acclaimed headliners Soofiya, Hema Patel, and Charnjit Gill, each bringing their own resonant take on identity, memory, resistance, and healing. The night will be elevated by the live, genre-blending sounds of Chandni, whose music fuses diasporic rhythms with contemporary edge.

This event is brought to you by Manjot Dhaliwal, and is part of South Asian Heritage Month - an annual celebration (18 July–17 August) that honours the cultures, histories, and communities of people with roots in South Asia. It’s a time to reflect on the past, reclaim narratives, and reimagine the future through art, storytelling, and shared experience.

Whether you're here to listen, be moved, or take the mic yourself, come and be part of a space that centres feminist joy, resistance, and collective re-membering.

Soofiya is a Brighton-based graphic designer and illustrator whose work explores identity, gender, and diaspora through bold colour and playful approach. Rooted in South Asian heritage, Soofiya's practice spans illustration, publishing, and poetry, often blurring the lines between personal narrative and political commentary. You can see more of Soofiya's work here: soofiya.com

Heema Patel is a Hypnotherapist and Coach at Reset and Rediscover. A career coach for over 10 years, it was losing her 27-year-old cousin to suicide that prompted Hema to change her own career. Fuelled by a desire to make a difference, Hema almost became a mental health first aid instructor. However, she decided that instead of making people aware of conditions, Hema wanted to help people become free of them.

Charnjit Gill has an MA in Creative Writing and a BA in English Literature & Creative Writing. She has been writing and performing for a decade. Her work has been published in 12 poetry journals including: London Spoken Word Anthology 2015-2016 by Gug Press, Typishly, Minerva Rising Press, From Whispers to Roars, KYSO Flash, Ghost City Press, San Fedele Press, Starfeather Publishing, Poets Choice, the Road to Nowhere, DominAsian magazine and Brownies Verse. She was one of winners of the Art Fund Prize 2023 where her poem ‘Triggered’ was displayed on billboards throughout the UK. Last year her debut play ‘Good Mourning’ was showcased with a 4 star review. She has published 3 poetry collections with Atmosphere Press- Impression, For the Moment and most recently Pray Tell.

Chandni, with a soulful voice that glides through simmering R&B and jazz fusions, explores complex emotional themes and her Indian roots through poignant lyricism and eclectic production. Her singles “Gone” and “The Upside,” created in collaboration with Blue Lab Beats, showcase her continued ascent, offering a singular, smooth soul sound that BBC Asian Network describes as “something completely fresh.”