Coimbatore Writers’ Community: A creative network for writers to connect

Coimbatore Writers’ Community is a space for writers to connect and share

Writing has always been a place to explore emotions, ideas and untold feelings. While writers are everywhere, not everyone finds a space where they truly belong. In Coimbatore, that gap began to close when a young writer decided to ask a simple question: “Who else writes?”

Ridhu Pharan, a civil engineer for two years, left his job to follow his creative instincts. Writing, he says, was always the way he processed emotions and life. “Many cities have writers’ groups, but I couldn’t find one here. So I decided to bring together people like me. That’s where it all began,” he says.

In early 2024, he posted an open invitation calling writers in Coimbatore to meet. Six people turned up for the first gathering at a cafe. Among the early participants was Hamsha Vhardhni, who soon became a core partner and now co-leads what is known today as the Coimbatore Writers’ Community.

The community hosts a monthly gathering that brings together writers from varied backgrounds, such as IT professionals, teachers, students, and complete beginners. Their philosophy is simple: Write a little every day. Each meet begins with prompts or discussions, after which members write a short piece and share it. Hosting duties rotate, depending on the person’s interest in running a workshop or activity.

The community hosts a monthly gathering that brings together writers from varied backgrounds  | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

“I may be the founder, but this community runs only because of its members,” says Ridhu. The group also hosts a separate monthly circle for children aged eight to 15, facilitated by senior members. “Coimbatore Writers’ Community made me realise I’m more than a technical writer. I can write poetry, stories, anything. When people from different stages of life sit together, perspectives merge and knowledge flows naturally,” says Hamsha.