Neon Lights 2016

Singaporeans' obsessions set to verse

Two-time National Poetry Slam champion Shivram Gopinath will discuss the absurdities of Singapore life.

The absurdities of Singapore life are the focus of spoken-word artist Shivram Gopinath's upcoming performance at Neon Lights' literary stage, The Rocking Horse.

The 32-year-old poet, a rising name in the growing spoken word scene, is a two-time champion at the last two National Poetry Slam competitions.

Poetry slams are competitions where poets recite original work.

At the event on Nov 26, Gopinath will discuss several Uniquely Singaporean characteristics, such as Singaporeans' addiction to watching videos shaming bad behaviour and their obsession with food fads.

"I want to explore the absurdity we sometimes take for granted in Singapore.

"Take, for example, how we float past seemingly earth-shattering events with a desperate need to maintain a certain normalcy," he says.

A creative director in a creative agency, he has enjoyed penning poetry from a young age, but first performed his work at an open mic night only in 2013.

He has been hooked since.

"It's the adrenaline of performing that I enjoy," the bachelor says.

Gurveen Kaur

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 18, 2016, with the headline Singaporeans' obsessions set to verse. Subscribe