Open Sky Slam turns hidden talents to public performers

For many artists in the city, the Open Sky Slam has fueled their artistic careers by providing them with their first public platform.

What started as a small poetry slam has today bloomed into a national phenomenon with open sky slams being replicated in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Calicut among others.

While today beat-boxers, percussionists, magicians, singers, dancers and various other artists showcase their talent here, the Slam had humble beginnings on Shaun D’Souza’s terrace, who with his friend Tim Lo Surdo gathered their group of friends for an impromptu poetry gig.

Similar gatherings followed, later turning into full-fledged slams happening across the country on a frequent basis. The community now also has regular events in Gold Coast, Australia, hosted by Shaun, who moved there for his studies.

“We have had all kinds of talents from a record holder who can spin anything on a stringer to freestyle footballers to even magicians.

This platform has launched successful careers of various artists,” said Deepten Sarkar, Creative Head at Open Sky Slam.

The Slam provides a no judgmental platform for every performer, be it a popular singer with a huge fan following or a dancer who is just starting out, giving them all the support and motivation they need.

The Open Sky Slam community organises its events in diverse spaces ranging from cafes, restaurants, co-working spaces, orphanages, public gardens, rescue homes and government schools among others.

The participants also double up as volunteers to raise funds for various causes during the events.

The community has helped various government schools build libraries and playgrounds.

They even initiated a ‘Build a library’ project for a government school that did not have a library and donated over 300 books to them.

“Such heartwarming impact is what fuels us to do more,” Deepten adds.

The next Open Sky Slam event will be held at Cafe Artelier, New Tippasandra on September 29.