The poetry scene came full circle this summer, when two performers remembered from a poetry night some years ago walked through the doors of Putney Library Hall for the July and August events.
Kavita Hansla, whose performance had left such an impression that a long search for her had come to nothing, and the modern ‘sage’ known to the poetry community as Lantern Carrier (aka Manatita)…
Kavita Hansla
Midway through Kavita’s brilliant recital of her poem “Bread vs Toast” at last month’s August poetry night, the penny dropped. Her performance at another poetry night a few years earlier had never been forgotten. Blending comic reflections on everyday life with an innate wisdom, and performing with warmth and artistry, Kavita seems to inspire her listeners without effort.
Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, her name, Kavita, actually means ‘poetry’ in Hindi. At the heart of her practice is a belief in making poetry accessible and using storytelling, sharp wordplay and performance to connect people.
Kavita is an award-winning spoken word artist and poet whose work moves fluidly between page and stage. Among her many accolades, she was named Best Poet and Spoken Word Artist 2025 by the Mainstream UK Awards, she’s performed on more than 300 stages across London and beyond, and in 2025 brought her debut solo show, The Poem Called Kavita, to a sold out run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Her page poetry was also shortlisted for Bridport Prize 2025, the international creative writing competition and one of the most prestigious awards in the literary world.
Follow Kavita on Instagram @kavitalks to keep up with her poetry journey, including her live performances, original poetry illustrations and creative prompts.
In her poem, ‘Bittersweet’, Kavita shares here a personal tale of how a small act of kindness sparked a life-changing shift in perception.
I could never find a good thing to say about lemons.
Alone, they were too sharp; with anything, too bitter.
I inherited from my parents the belief
that “life was sour enough”.
But one day, while sitting in a library café,
a stranger asked if I wanted a slice of lemon cake.
Her voice, soft as breath, startled me –
cutting through the stubbornness I proudly wore.
Before I could catch it, my yes had already slipped out.
I bit my tongue as she carved a slice –
bright yellow, store-bought,
the kind you find anywhere.
I took a bite, expecting the usual bite back –
but I found no trace.
By the time I looked up, she was gone.
Yet her sweetness stayed with me,
long after the moment passed.
I started noticing sunlight again –
how it fell warm on my frozen tongue.
Each year, the world tasted a little less muted.
Now, I sit beneath the lemon trees my grandson tends.
Their heavy fruit glowing like small suns.
And when one drops, I whisper thank you
to the lady I never got to thank
for the years that followed.
And I realise
maybe life was never sour at all.
Maybe I just hadn’t learned
how to taste it.
Lantern Carrier (aka Manatita)
Many poets choose stage names that hold personal meaning that also serve as portals to the worlds audiences can expect to encounter in their pieces. Among them is Lantern Carrier, a gifted, highly regarded spiritual poet and writer with 24 years on the international scene. Writing since childhood, his versatile work explores themes of identity, justice, motivation and love, bringing a signature eloquence and light to his poetry.
Lantern Carrier is also known by the sanskrit name, Manatita, a spiritual name given to him by his late meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy. In this tradition, a master bestows a Sanskrit name reflecting the soul’s spiritual purpose, serving as a tender daily reminder for a writer and philosopher to see beyond everyday constraints and connect with the boundless.
Whenever Lantern Carrier delivers his paens at poetry nights, always softly spoken, with hand held to his heart, a small miracle occurs, like a sponge unclenched, tension dissipates and that familiar fizz of joy returns as listeners are immersed in the elegantly crafted experiences his words create.
You can follow his work @manatita44 and on https://manatita44.hubpages.com
In his poem, ‘Nature’s Wonder,’ shared here, Lantern Carrier moves through a single day’s beauty – dawn, transformation, dusk, night – as a devotional offering to a divine Beloved.
White clouds spread a canopy across my
Thoughts, announcing the sanctity of daybreak.
The sun’s gleaming rays peep through, as the cool
Air dissipates, and songbirds resonate their melodies.
The caterpillar spins a cocoon, then mutate
Into a butterfly which dances in circling loops,
Spinning a kaleidoscope of charm and bewilderment.
My soul rejoices, entranced by the magic of creation.
When the evening mist settles, I assemble the
Sky, pulling at the lapis lazuli of its beauty unto
My soul. High upon the wind rides my longing,
Gathering the crimson hues of the evening’s dusk.
I gaze at rainbows, which, like flowers, speak of
Oneness in diversity, of elegance and wonder… of
Light. Indigo kisses the heavens, even as cerise dances
In sunsets, blends in pageantry on the crest of horizons.
Night becomes a mystery, enveloped by the candescent moon.
Aye, my Beloved, so much sweetness in the Light
Of Thy delight! Let me drown in this wine, to become
Completely Thine. My Heart is like a bamboo
Reed, conversing with zephyrs, of my Love for You.
The song-bearers enchant my Spirit, while the waves
Splash. The God of beauty greets me, with an illumining smile.
The historical legacy of Putney’s literary past – perhaps most famously marked by Algernon Charles Swinburne’s residence at The Pines on Putney Hill – has found vibrant life as part of today’s global poetry renaissance. This local poetic heritage has been re-energised by a modern movement that is diverse, highly accessible and community-driven.
As contemporary writers and local arts initiatives tap into this historic foundation, Putney is cementing its place within a broader cultural shift that has successfully pulled poetry out of the academic elite and pushed it into the vibrant, modern mainstream.
Upcoming Poetry Open Mic Nights
Poets in Putney is a warm, welcoming and inclusive poetry open mic night open to all levels of experience. It takes place on the last Thursday of each month, except December when it’s the last Thursday before Christmas, at Putney Library Hall.
It is on TONIGHT! Full information and audience and performer tickets are available online.
