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

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.

“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.

To push writers beyond routine, the community experiments with creative formats. One of the most cherished among members is the Writer’s Retreat, a day-long session in natural spaces such as farmhouses or hill viewpoints, where members write amid greenery and silence.

Another activity, Walk Into Stories, encourages members to walk through neighbourhoods, observe everyday scenes and turn them into spontaneous pieces. Hamsha says, “Even when everyone sees the same thing, the interpretations are so different. That’s the beauty of it,”

From six people in a café, the community has grown to 70+ registered members, with 15 to 20 attending each meet. Every gathering welcomes at least three to four newcomers. “People trust us. When someone walks in expecting an experience, it’s our responsibility to create that space. It’s what they learn here, and their growth that matters to me,” Ridhu says.

Most meetings happen in cafés across the city. The cafés provide the space for free, while participants pay only for their food. While the venues have been supportive, they come with their own distractions. “We want a space that is quiet, uninterrupted and still offers basic facilities. That is a major challenge,” Ridhu explains. Balancing the community with personal life and work responsibilities is another.

Their long-term dream is to have a permanent space for writers — one that can host regular meetups, workshops, and creative events. Ridhu hopes to expand the community to smaller towns and rural pockets around Coimbatore. “I want to take this platform to places where writers rarely get opportunities or a supportive space,” he says.

Hamsha’s wishlist is equally ambitious: workshops by experienced writers, publishing guidance, exposure to writing careers, and a community magazine where every member can showcase meaningful work.

For many members, the community has been transformative. Uthra, one of the participants, shares: “I joined with hesitation. Writing was my long-lost hobby and I wasn’t sure about my skills. But during one of the activities, I ended up writing a short story. I couldn’t believe it myself.”

At every meet, the founders emphasise minimal spotlight. “We want every writer to express themselves freely and be heard. Only then the space becomes productive,” they say. Writing, they believe, is much more than a hobby. “Whatever our profession is, writing becomes our identity. We gained everything from this community, and we feel proud of it,” say Ridhu and Hamsha.

Sometimes, all a writer needs is a table, a gentle nudge, and a circle of people who understand. The Coimbatore Writers’ Community continues to offer exactly that one meeting, one activity, one story at a time. It builds not just writers, but a home for anyone looking for someone who understands the way they feel when they write.