Book A Writer / Our Writers

ABOUT

ArunDitha (born Deborah Arunditha Emmanuel) is a writer, performer, and multiple TEDx speaker. She has published three books, When I Giggle In My Sleep (Red Wheelbarrow Books, 2015), Rebel Rites (Cosmic Grasshopper Press, 2016) and Genesis Visual Poetry Collection (2018). She is currently working on her next manuscript.

ArunDitha is the frontwoman of the band Mantravine which has played festivals and stages worldwide. As a poet she has won poetry slams in Germany, New Zealand, Australia and locally, and been invited to share her work at festivals like the Barcelona International Poetry Festival and Queensland Poetry Festival. She has worked with schools in performing and creative arts programmes since 2011.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• 2016 – Rebel Rites (Singapore: Cosmic Grasshopper Press, 2016)

• 2015 – When I Giggle In My Sleep (Singapore: Red Wheelbarrow Books, 2015)

TALKS

SPOKEN WORD CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
For: all students; suitable for assemblies
Availability: 1 hour per session; single session
Description: During this assembly talk, ArunDitha shares some of her original spoken word poetry, as well as her inspiring story which led her to be the writer and performer she is today. She leaves the students with 5 ways spoken word will change their worlds, if they choose to dance with it and let the words change them first.
Learning Outcomes: understand that poetry is a great tool for healing and transformation.

WORKSHOPS

SOCIAL ISSUES IN DUB POETRY
For: secondary, junior college; 8-20 pax
Availability: 2.5 hours per session; single session
Description: Explore the complex matters of social injustice and politics in this fun workshop. Using spoken word against dub music – a genre emerging out of reggae in the 1970s – students will write and perform their own dub poetry.
Learning Outcomes: understand how to explore sociopolitical questions using poetry; practice public speaking skills and encourage self-confidence; exercise the use of poetic devices.

GROUP POETRY 101
For: secondary, junior college; 5-20 pax
Availability: 2 hours per session; single session
Description: In this workshop, students will write and prepare a group poem for performance in alignment with a theme derived through discussion with the class beforehand. This is a basic poetry workshop that will help the students to both write and perform individually and in inter-personal formations.
Learning Outcomes: Practice the use imagery, leading to greater grasp of the poetic devices. Practice inter-personal communication skills when it comes to academic subjects. Develop self-confidence.

CONFESSING IN SPOKEN WORD
For: all students; 8-20 pax
Availability: 2.5 hours per session; single session
Description: Attain a better understanding of confessional poetry and connect with your inner self in this workshop. Where are the universal themes in your own experiences? How might we find release when we choose to articulate something? These are the questions students will ask in this rewarding and intimate workshop.
Learning Outcomes: understand how to practice self-awareness and encourage self-confidence; gain a better understanding of specific material can relate to universal themes; exercise the use of poetic devices.