Writing as group and as a practice – Interview with Nivy of Lampshade Writers and Pages – Part 3

Could you talk about your community-based practices?

I started Lampshade Writers in 2020 November. It has been an ongoing project. When I was in the United States, I saw how people in informal settings, bookshops, libraries, you feel close to people. I looked for such outlets in India. I felt at home there in these writing groups in United States. I wanted to make other authors feel at home. We did many events, even online ones. We did sessions with the poetry of Gulzar and Khalil Gibran.

Could you talk about your social work?

I was always intrigued by community libraries. We have funded a community library in Uttar Pradesh. We would like to support them. We should not divide India into North India and South India.

They were a part of a library in Delhi. The library had a lot of people who were labourers and farmers. It is called the Bansa Community Library. We supported with donating books. Since 2023, we began funding the Librarian’s salary.

People are trying to be in touch with themselves. Every year we do a Summer Event with Bansa Community Library. This year we are doing it for the women there.

Could you talk about your initiative Pages?

I started Pages – Journaling with intent. It is based on the book Artists Way by Julia Camron. I read the book a few times and started seeing things in a different light. I wanted to share this with people. I started Pages – self journaling as a group. We have a community and we work on our different pages.