NT BUZZ
In 2019, spoken word poet Rochelle D’silva, founded The Poetry Retreat a unique residency based in Velsao. The residency came from her desire to create a space where poets could retreat from the noise of everyday life, explore their creative voice, and receive guidance from seasoned mentors.
This year, the residency is scheduled for April 15 to 20, 2026. The residency combines workshops, one-on-one mentorship, performance training, and community building, all designed to sharpen writing and performance skills and build confidence for publication or stage work. Residents will stay together in a family-run resort near Velsao Beach, featuring private rooms, a pool, and direct access to natural landscapes that are conducive to writing and reflection.
Previous facilitators include published poets Vinita Agrawal, Mustansir Dalvi, Sampurna Chattarji, Sumana Roy, Manohar Shetty; performance coaches Ram Ganesh Kamatham, Zeenia Kolah, Bhisaji Gadekar, Shaun Williams, and Dsilva herself.
The residency is intentionally limited to eight poets per retreat to maintain an intimate learning environment. Whether participants are just beginning to write, working on a manuscript, or looking for creative renewal, the programme promises tailored support and a sense of community.
Alongside structured sessions, residents will find time for personal writing and informal exchange, including poetry walks and downtime by the sea.
The experience culminates in a public performance, where participants showcase their work to family, friends, and the wider community — a tradition that celebrates both process and voice.
This year, Menka Shivdasani will be the poetry mentor, Ram Ganesh Kamatham will mentor the performance side of things while Dsilva will be the performance poetry mentor.
