The people
The idea for Sangam House as a writers’ residency located in India was born on a sweet, summer evening in up-state New York at another writers’ residency, Ledig House. Literatures in many languages flourish in the sub-continent and literary cultures are strong but it’s almost impossible for writers to access quiet and supportive spaces in which they can do their work. Particularly if they are working in languages other than English. These writers often lack practical support, as well as opportunity to interact with contemporaries from other languages and perspectives. Hence, the idea that since many could not make it to residencies across the world, we’d bring the idea of a residency for writers to India.
Sangam House day to day business is taken care of by its founders, DW Gibson and Arshia Sattar. They raise funds, receive and sort applications, set up a committee of readers who select writers from among the diverse applications that come in and administer the residency season in terms of taking care of resident writers as well as organising outreach programs such as public readings and other interactions with local literary communities.
Directors:
Sangam House depends on the support of our Board of Trustees as well as our advisors and selectors, our host institutions and a cheerful team of volunteer staff.
Board of Trustees:
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| Todd Lester runs the freeDimensional Network of artistes and activists . |
Nayana Currimbhoy has been a writer for many years and is about to publish her first novel . |
Beena Kamlani is a writer and an editor at Penguin Books. She has worked with such writers as Saul Bellow and Garrison Keillor | Samir Gandhi is a Partner with the law firm Sidley Austin LLP, in New York City . |
Advisors:
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| Ravi Singh is Commissioning Editor at Penguin Books, India. . |
Urvashi Butalia runs Zubaan Books, India. . |
Giriraj Kiradoo edits the bi-lingual journal Pratilipi. . |
Rahul da Cunha writes and directs plays in Bombay. . |
Kannan Sundaram runs the Tamil publishing house Kalachuvadu. |
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| Namita Gokhale has written several novels and is one of the Founders and Directors of the Jaipur Literary Festival. | Lidia Bravo writes poetry and fiction and works in arts administration in London. . |
Sangam House’s administrative and volunteer staff include:
Mythri Surendra who teaches English and Drama
Bharavi who works in theatre
Sujata Goel who is a contemporary dancer
Carol Shatananda who is a freelance editor
Vinod Ravindran who is an actor
Arjun Shankar who is a performer and a freelance designer
Janhavi Borawake who is a freelance corporate communications trainer















