Whistling Woods International Honours Anand Bakshi’s Legacy at Annual Art and Poetry Day

The event featured Subhash Ghai, Irshad Kamil, Rakesh Bakshi and Aslam Hassan, alongside literary book launches, student performances and discussions celebrating the enduring influence of poetry in cinema and storytelling.

Mumbai, 23 July 2026: Whistling Woods International celebrated its annual Art and Poetry Day on 21 July, marking the birth anniversary of legendary lyricist Anand Bakshi through an evening dedicated to poetry, literature, music and storytelling.
The event brought together poets, lyricists, writers, students and members of the creative community to reflect on the lasting influence of poetry in Indian cinema and the arts. Organised at the institute’s campus, the celebration highlighted the role of language and literature in shaping memorable stories and creative expression across generations.

Founded by filmmaker Subhash Ghai, Whistling Woods International has continued to organise Art and Poetry Day as a tribute to Anand Bakshi, whose work remains closely associated with some of Indian cinema’s most celebrated songs. The annual programme also serves as a platform for students to engage with established writers, lyricists and creative professionals.
Subhash Ghai, Founder and Chairman, Whistling Woods International, said, “Art and poetry are the soul of India. They give voice to emotions that visual storytelling alone cannot capture. Celebrating the legendary Anand Bakshi Ji’s legacy is our way of reminding the next generation of creative talent that timeless cinema is always built on the foundation of powerful and heartfelt words.”

The evening also featured the launch of two literary works. Rakesh Bakshi presented his book on Anand Bakshi, published in four languages, while Aslam Hassan introduced his poetry collection, Potli Mein Chand.
A panel discussion formed one of the highlights of the programme. Moderated by theatre director Salim Arif, the session featured lyricist Irshad Kamil, author and screenwriter Rakesh Bakshi and Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai, Aslam Hassan. The discussion explored the place of poetry in storytelling, cinema and contemporary creative expression.
During the conversation, Salim Arif spoke about poetry’s enduring ability to express human emotions and its continuing importance in meaningful storytelling. The panel also shared insights into the creative process, the value of literature and the relationship between words and visual narratives.

Irshad Kamil encouraged students to remain authentic in their writing and creative pursuits. He urged aspiring writers and filmmakers to draw inspiration from their own experiences, remain observant and trust the ability of honest storytelling to connect with audiences.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Rakesh Bakshi spoke about the long standing creative partnership between Anand Bakshi and Subhash Ghai, describing it as a relationship built on mutual respect, trust and artistic collaboration. He also referred to Subhash Ghai as “a born teacher,” acknowledging his contribution to mentoring generations of creative professionals.

The event also provided students of Whistling Woods International with an opportunity to present their own creative work. Musical performances and original poetry recitals formed an important part of the celebration, allowing students to participate alongside established figures from the literary and film industries.
One of the evening’s memorable moments came when a music student composed an original tune during the discussion, inspired by the conversations taking place on stage. The spontaneous performance received enthusiastic applause from the audience as well as appreciation from the guest speakers.
According to Whistling Woods International, the annual Art and Poetry Day reflects the institute’s commitment to preserving India’s literary heritage while encouraging emerging writers, musicians and filmmakers to appreciate the lasting role of poetry in creative expression and storytelling.

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