Pooja Nansi: A Visionary Poet and Advocate for Minority Voices

Pooja Nansi: Championing Poetry, Identity, and Cultural Expression

In the heart of Singapore’s literary renaissance, one name stands tall—Pooja Nansi. A poet, musician, and educator, she has redefined contemporary poetry, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. Her journey from a young immigrant to a literary powerhouse is an inspiring tale of resilience, passion, and cultural storytelling.

Early Life and Education of Pooja Nansi: The Making of a Poet

Born in Gujarat, India, on November 27, 1981, Pooja Nansi’s life took a transformative turn when her family moved to Singapore while she was still an infant. Growing up in Katong, she developed a deep appreciation for language and expression, nurtured through her education at Telok Kurau Primary School and CHIJ Katong Convent. Her early fascination with teaching manifested as a child when she would conduct lessons for her dolls—a foreshadowing of her future as an educator.

Pooja pursued higher education at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and, upon graduation, embarked on a fulfilling teaching career. For nearly a decade, she shaped young minds at Temasek Junior College, serving as the head of Language Arts and English Literature. Her academic tenure laid the foundation for her literary journey, bridging the worlds of education and creative expression.

A Poetic Awakening: The Influence of Sylvia Plath

Pooja Nansi’s literary awakening came at the age of 13 when she encountered Sylvia Plath’s poem Daddy. It was a revelatory moment—one that allowed her to embrace emotions such as anger and passion in her writing. Influenced by diverse inspirations ranging from Bollywood classics to hip-hop icons like Kendrick Lamar and pop legends like Elton John, Pooja’s poetic voice evolved into a rich tapestry of cultures, emotions, and identities.

Breaking Boundaries: A Fusion of Poetry, Music, and Performance

Unlike traditional poets confined to the written word, Pooja Nansi brings poetry to life through performance. She refuses to be categorized as solely a “performance poet” or a “page poet,” believing instead that poetry exists in multiple forms. Her first major step into the literary spotlight came with her debut poetry collection, Stiletto Scars (2007), published by Word Forward.

In 2009, she co-founded The Mango Dollies, a spoken word and music duo with actress-singer Anjana Srinivasan. Their collaboration explored themes of love, identity, and womanhood, culminating in Pooja’s second poetry collection, Love is an Empty Barstool (2014).

Speakeasy and Community Building

Determined to create a literary community, Pooja launched Speakeasy in 2013—a monthly poetry reading series that united both performance and page poets. Over five years, the platform nurtured Singapore’s poetry scene, bringing together voices from diverse backgrounds before it concluded in 2018. Her passion for representation led her to co-found Other Tongues, a festival dedicated to celebrating minority voices in literature.

Championing Singapore’s Literary Landscape

Pooja Nansi’s impact transcends her personal works. In 2016, she was honored with the Young Artist Award, Singapore’s highest accolade for artists under 35. That same year, she was appointed as the nation’s inaugural Youth Poet Ambassador, a role through which she amplified young voices and redefined poetry’s role in Singaporean culture.

In 2019, she took the helm as Festival Director of the Singapore Writers Festival, a position she held until 2023. Under her leadership, the festival transformed into a more inclusive and diverse event, attracting new audiences and breaking barriers for marginalized voices in literature.

A Global Recognition: The Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

Pooja Nansi’s contributions to literature were internationally recognized in 2024 when she was conferred the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of France’s most prestigious cultural honors. This accolade underscores her impact as a literary bridge between cultures and continents.

Continuing the Legacy: Teaching and Publishing

Today, Pooja Nansi remains dedicated to literature and education. She teaches creative writing at Nanyang Technological University and serves as the Chief Publisher of AFTERIMAGE, the poetry publishing arm of Sing Lit Station. Her body of work continues to inspire the next generation of writers and thinkers.

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