Dive into Awaaz, an anthology that captures the lived experiences of Mumbai’s Natwar Parekh Compound residents. Through reflective readings and a “story circle,” explore narratives of displacement, resilience, and urban design's impact on marginalized communities. Engage in thought-provoking discussions on empathy, ethics, and creating inclusive cityscapes that honor community voices.

Facilitators

Nisha Nair

Nisha Nair is an architect, urban researcher, writer and publisher. She spearheads the publishing initiative, People Place Project, which has been invested in urban research, pedagogy and publication since its inception, rooted in ethnographic research. She has published six books as a curator and editor. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD at IIT Bombay, Mumbai and her research explores urban mobilities - at the intersection of gender, labour and socialites, within the context of Southern urbanism.

About the book: Awaaz: Voices of Govandi

Awaaz is an anthology co-written with nine residents of Natwar Parekh Compound. This is a resettlement colony in Govandi, Mumbai, built to house those displaced by city infrastructure projects and these narratives capture both the struggles and resilience of life on the city’s margins. Awaaz brings the voices of this community to life, posing critical questions: Whose story is it to tell? Who is the city imagined for?. Further, Awaaz fosters a spirit of plural reading and demonstrates ethnography’s power to democratize storytelling. Published by Yoda Press, Awaaz is a vivid exploration of displacement, hope, and human grit.

This book was conceptualized, facilitated and created by the artist-in-residence Nisha Nair during the Govandi Arts Festival 2023, supported by British Council.