This woman is inspiring self-expression through poetry at Cubbon Park

Amidst the lush green trees at Cubbon Park, one can hear the rustling of the leaves, children giggling, the laughter of people gathered in clusters, and so on.

But among these, there is also a distinct sound of a typewriter clattering away—capturing people's thoughts in poetry.

Creative writer Ruby Naaz dedicates her entire Saturdays to crafting poetry for park-goers, all without charge. She is on a mission to ignite conversation and foster self-expression as meaningful conversations slowly take a back seat.

Starting in 2023, Naaz has written poems for over 200 people at Cubbon Park in Bengaluru in the past six months. 

“Love and just love is why I write poetry for people,” she tells HerStory.

A unique choice

While Naaz does not remember when she actually started writing, she recalls her mother telling her that she started scribbling around three or four years old and also started reading at a young age. 

The avid reader says she does not know how she got this habit, as reading was never a prominent interest in her family.

Later in life, Naaz pursued a Master’s in Marketing and worked as a brand manager for various companies, while simultaneously working on short stories, poems, and a novel, Her. Eventually, in 2019, she quit her job to work on her creative projects full-time and also pursue freelance projects on the side.

However, Naaz’s family did not welcome her decision initially.

“It has been a journey to get my parents onboard with me. Initially, they thought that since I was well-educated, I should pursue a traditional career. However, as they saw my happiness and fulfillment in what I was doing, they came to understand and support my choices," she says. 

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Fostering self-expression

On one July day in 2023, Naaz—a regular visitor at Cubbon Park—decided to bring her typewriter to the park, and its vintage charm caught the onlookers’ attention.

“I offered to write them a poem, and when they asked, ‘What the charges are?’, I just asked them how can you charge love?” says Naaz.

And she has not looked back since. She engages in deep and meaningful conversations with strangers, trying to capture those conversations and emotions into written words. Naaz says she follows “no set process while writing the poem”.

She intends to create a safe space for people to express their thoughts freely. These poems—written in just a few minutes of the conversation—compel strangers to return to her to relive the experience.

“Some people come to talk and get a poem written about themselves, while others ask for a poem dedicated to someone they know or love," she adds.

Last November, Naaz had wanted to take a break from her practice. But, the flood of direct messages on social media, asking about her return, encouraged her to continue writing poetry.

Besides composing poems for individuals, last December, she also started conducting workshops for corporates which include conversations about self-expression and involve engaging activities focused on writing poetry. She is also planning to conduct a webinar for corporate groups and individuals soon.

Art has been a potent form of self-expression for ages, Naaz says. Art gives space and freedom to people to showcase their emotions and become vulnerable in whatever they wish to express. 

Talking about self-criticism, she says that she likes to have a positive outlook on life. “I believe there is always scope for growth in whatever we do,” she says.

Naaz wishes to continue her practice in the future and motivate people to self-express. “Love leads to healing, beginning with accepting oneself, openly expressing ourselves, and finding strength through shared vulnerabilities," she says, as she signs off.