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Priya Malik, who once taught language in Australia and participated in slam poetry contests, never envisioned that a decade later she would be at the forefront of India’s Gen Z student protests. This experience marked a significant moment in her life, merging her love for language, performance, and public expression. At the Mumbai protests, she held a large placard stating, 'I like my Chai strong, but my Democracy stronger,' a memory that remains etched in her mind.

Reflecting on her involvement, Priya expressed, 'It felt like life had come full circle. I wanted to contribute not only as an artist but also as a former educator. I was aware of the potential consequences, as many warned me, but it was important for everyone involved. I wanted to stand up for my son.' As a spoken word artist, she takes pride in how the Gen Z protests have demonstrated that a casual, conversational style of literature can serve as a potent form of political and artistic expression. 'I remember being criticized for spoken word performances at Rekhta. Now, Gen Z, while traditional in some ways, has their unique approach. They are empathetic and cognizant of the political landscape. They prefer genuine discussions over mere symbolic actions. Memes have become the new protest language, and social media plays a crucial role in public dialogue. Art has a unique ability to connect with people,' she remarked.

Following the protests, Priya visited Amritsar as part of her two-year tour for her show 'Ishq Hai.' She designed the show like a meticulously curated menu, drawing from the vibrant culinary heritage of Amritsar. 'The passion, dedication, and love that goes into Amritsar's food is evident in every bite,' she said, savoring a crunchy Amritsari Kulcha.

Priya's poetry mirrors this culinary approach, offering bite-sized reflections on her memories of home, her mother, and the experience of leaving her family. The main course of her performance featured poignant themes of love and nostalgia, highlighted by her well-known poems such as 'Mujhe Pyar Nahi Ishq Chahiye,' 'Ishq Hai,' and 'Jaise Tum Pyaar Krte Ho.' The finale drew inspiration from Amrita Pritam’s iconic farewell poem, 'Main Tenu Pher Milangi.'

'I share a love for tea and conversations with Pritam. I enjoy my tea with ginger, while she preferred cardamom. Since childhood, I have always performed others' poetry. It took me three decades to share my own work with the world. Most of my poems stem from personal experiences, my learnings, and stories from my life and home. However, I also draw significant creative inspiration from literary greats like Suryakant Tripathi Nirala and Amrita Pritam, whom I deeply admire,' she shared.

Initially, Priya wrote in English but has since developed a fondness for Urdu and Hindi. 'I am now aiming to write in Punjabi; that’s my next goal,' she revealed.