BANDISH - By Avika Jha

Written By: Avika Jha

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Avika Jha presents a captivating piece titled "BANDISH," a profound contribution to the Poetry category of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative poem weaves themes of memory, identity, and longing into a tapestry of rich imagery and emotion. As part of this prestigious competition, Avika's work invites readers to delve into the depths of personal and cultural reflections, leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter it.

About the Work

"BANDISH" by Avika Jha is a poetic exploration of identity and memory, artfully intertwined with cultural motifs and personal reflections. The poem's mood is deeply introspective, with a lyrical style that captures the essence of longing and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and a graceful narrative, Avika invites readers to ponder the intricate connections between past and present, self and other, and the eternal search for meaning.

Bandish l

Original Submission by Avika Jha

BANDISH

Avika Jha

Another Wednesday wakes in rusted gold,

“Come hear the Afsana!” the Merassi calls bold.

The same tired morning stitched thin with refrain,

Like bangles repeating their circular pain.

I lie unopened on rose-carved wood,

Where sandal and silence still linger as should.

An Ustad perhaps, or a Pandit long gone,

Sings Bihag so softly the parakeets pause at dawn.

“Her eyes were lotuses,” Gurun still swears,

I laugh and imagine his Mehraru there,

Dusky and radiant, curls falling free,

Wearing my pearls like they never once belonged to me.

She sits by the mirror that inherited my name,

My mother’s silk mantle now warming her frame.

Threads woven by fingers that trembled with grace,

Now gather like dusk in another woman’s place.

Tell me, Kabira, what distance is true?

How far must the longing travel to reach you?

I stand so near that I witness it all,

My portrait, my echoes, my voice in the hall.

The bandish still circles my blood like a prayer,

A khayal unfinished still hangs in the air.

And when this world calls me deluded, unplanned,

Too ghost-like for living, too lost for this land,

I remember, the soul that has tasted the sea

Of bound and unbounded walks endlessly free.

For one who has crossed both the shore and the thread

Will find you, Kabira,

No matter how far ahead.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar showcases a diverse array of talent and creativity in the literary arts. Participants from around the world are invited to share their unique voices and perspectives through poetry and creative writing. This competition celebrates the power of words to inspire, challenge, and transform, fostering a vibrant community of writers and poets.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Avika Jha for sharing "BANDISH" with us in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her poignant exploration of identity and memory enriches our literary community. We look forward to seeing more of Avika's work and wish her continued success on her creative journey.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.