Lectures on the Rocks Brings “Alfaaz Ki Mehfil” – An Evening of Urdu Poetry – to The Beach Terrace

What does one do in Chennai if they 're looking for meaningful conversation, intellectual stimulation, and a refined evening without loud music or dance floors?

Lectures on the Rocks offers a solution.

Inspired by the popular “Lectures on Tap” concept in the United States, Lectures on the Rocks is a curated lecture series that brings together curious minds, having guests gather over drinks to listen to engaging speakers explore subjects that they are deeply passionate about, all without the academic rigidity, syllabus, or pressure.

The first edition at The Beach Terrace will present “Alfaaz Ki Mehfil”, an immersive experience on Urdu poetry by Mr. Satya Prabhakar, with guests getting to enjoy a drink by the beach during the session.

With historical anecdotes and carefully selected shers from the past three centuries, Alfaaz Ki Mehfil invites both newcomers and long-time admirers into the world of Urdu verse. The session introduces iconic poets from Mir and Ghalib to Faiz and Faraz, while unpacking the structure and beauty of the ghazal, to show how brevity, rhyme, and emotion carry themes of ishq, intezaar, gham, and khwaab.

Urdu, often described as India’s youngest language, draws from Sanskrit for its grammar and daily vocabulary, and from Persian for its poetic diction and refined literary aesthetics. Its poetry remains a vital part of India’s cultural heritage, expressing profound emotion in remarkable economy of words.

More an experience than a traditional lecture, this Urdu poetry session does not demand academic knowlege of any kind, but asks guests for a little sensitivity and feeling.

About the host:

Satya Prabhakar, an NIT Trichy Distinguished Alumnus with an MS in Computer Science and MBA from the University of Florida, is an entrepreneur, author, and curator of Urdu poetry. His book Alfaaz Ki Mehfil, published by Hachette, has introduced many readers to the richness of Urdu verse. Satya is actively involved in several civic and entrepreneurial initiatives in Chennai.

Set against the sea at The Beach Terrace, this edition of Lectures on the Rocks promises an intellectually engaging evening for Chennai’s culturally curious audience.

Event Details:

Series: Lectures on the Rocks

Edition: Alfaaz Ki Mehfil – Urdu Poetry

Speaker: Satya Vankamidi Prabhakar

Date: 28 February

Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Venue: Beach Deck, The Beach Terrace (ECR, Chennai)

Ticket Price: ₹899, includes a drink

For tickets and enquiries: +91 75500 36697