Indian spoken-word poet Nayab Midha is taking Hindi poetry to a wider global audience, with her theatrical production Rajkumari grossing ₹3 crore during its 15-city North American tour. Produced in partnership with Tarashna and Oho Productions Inc., the tour covered major cities across the US and Canada, selling more than 6,500 tickets and bringing Hindi spoken-word storytelling to established theatre venues.
First staged in 2023 for intimate audiences in India, Rajkumari has since expanded considerably, attracting more than one lakh cumulative attendees, according to the organisers.
Seeing it evolve into a multi-continental movement that fills fine arts theatres and stadiums is completely surreal,” Midha said. The response from audiences in the US and Canada, she said, showed how stories exploring human emotions could connect across geographical boundaries. Parul Mundra, founder of Tarashna, said the decision to explore larger venues was driven by a belief in the artist and the potential of the production. “Sometimes, you have to trust your instinct and give yourself permission to think bigger,” Mundra said, recalling conversations about taking the show to larger venues.
The milestone marks a significant step for a genre that has traditionally found its audience in intimate settings such as cafés and small performance spaces. With Rajkumari , Midha has demonstrated the potential for Hindi poetry to draw audiences into larger venues beyond India, including those in major international markets. Its domestic journey included a multi-city arena tour, culminating in a sold-out show at New Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium. The performance was described as a first for a spoken-word poetry artist headlining a sold-out stadium show in India. The North American leg took the production to Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, the Bay Area, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, Raleigh, Washington DC, New Jersey, Detroit and New York in the US, followed by Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary in Canada. The response from audiences, including the South Asian diaspora, highlighted the reach of stories rooted in Hindi language and contemporary Indian experiences. “When we first envisioned Rajkumari , it was an intimate piece of my heart meant for small rooms. She added that the achievement went beyond ticket sales, demonstrating the potential for contemporary Hindi spoken-word poetry and storytelling to find a commercially viable international audience. Seeing theatres across the US and Canada filled with audiences engaging with Hindi poetry and storytelling, she added, had been an overwhelming experience. Named after the Hindi word for princess, Rajkumari combines spoken-word poetry with theatrical elements, live instrumentation, humour and audience interaction. The production explores identity, emotional resilience, self-discovery and modern relationships, weaving personal vulnerability into a live performance.
Following the response to its North American run, the production is expected to return to the US for further performances. It is also scheduled to travel to London and other European cities, extending Midha’s effort to bring contemporary Hindi poetry and storytelling to international audiences. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.