Meet Our Hosts
Our selected Festival Hosts are a dynamic, creative, and inspiring group of curators,
bringing together unique perspectives and a shared passion for storytelling. With a commitment
to inclusivity, they’ll guide the festival’s journey, ensuring each story resonates
and builds bridges across diverse communities.
Saba Khan, Bhopal
My name is Saba, I live in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. I like reading books very much. I also like writing true stories. I run Savitribai Phule Fatima Shaikh Open Library to generate interest in reading books among children and girls in different slums of Bhopal. We have 11 such libraries. My dream is to have peace and equality of rights in the world. When I hear the voices of the deprived and marginalised people, I feel that their voices should be heard everywhere. I want to know the ground culture of various communities throughout my life.
Shubhangani, Ajmer
My name is Shubhangani Sooryavanshi. I am a final year student of B.Com from Ajmer, Rajasthan. I identify myself as a woman (she). I have done a course in journalism and a 6-month NIIT computer course. I have been a facilitator at the Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti for one year. Since 2022, through Loktantrashala, I have been trying to give voice to the issues of youth and bring about change in people through constitutional values and provide them benefits of government schemes. In addition, via the organisation, 'Safe Pin’, I am involved in the work of creating a safe city for women through safety audits.
Laadli, Patna
My name is Laadli (she/her). I am from Patna, Bihar. I am a member of Bihar Youth for Child’s Rights. This is an initiative that works on child rights and women's empowerment at the state level. I am also a responder at Tech Sakhi. I am really interested in writing and dance. There must be many young people in Bihar like me who like to write, I also want them to get a platform.
Rinku, Ranti
I am Rinku a Dalit-Dusadh Feminist, poet, artist, researcher, and writer. I have written articles about the struggles and challenges of Dalit people in urban set-up which have been published in online feminist and youth platforms. My dream is to use Godna painting to show how marginalised people face atrocities and identity-based challenges in society. Today, I am vocal about experiences often viewed as harmless.
Kiaan(L) & Anjum(R)
Kiaan : He finished his Bachelor's of Arts in Bengali Honours from Calcutta University in 2022, while simultaneously engaging in his passion for art
and design. He has worked at Flipkart as a delivery person, and in the departments of sorting and Telecalling. Kiaan has been a freelancer artist, working extensively for the past 7 years in poster making, pottery, art, and painting. Kiaan has also been a teacher, tutoring school-going children and supporting them through various institutional projects. Eager to be a part of discourses on trans and queer rights, Kiaan has joined Sappho for Equality in the capacity of a field worker from July 2024, acting as a direct bridge between the organisation and the LGBTQ+community. He also drives his bike professionally, as a part of Uber, InDrive and Rapido. Kiaan also likes to help people because it brings him unfathomable joy!
Anjum Khatun : (She/Her) identifies as a cis woman, who has wanted to build a career in makeup since she was 15. After completing school education till 8th, Anjum had to drop out due to various psychosocial pressures from home. She worked at a boutique, stitching designer dresses for two years. Following this, she also worked in the capacity of a continental chef at a cafe. From the year 2022, Anjum started making video content and uploading them on YouTube and Instagram. Slowly and steadily, Anjum’s follower base grew, and she reached 39K followers, with which she started earning money doing what she loved. In March 2024, Anjum got enrolled at the Complete Makeup Artist Program at VLCC, harnessing more skills on how to add finesse to her work. She is currently continuing the course, and awaiting placement.
Saira, Zainab, Shreya, Aabshaar, Mohd. Saddam & Shahid
Saira : She is the most recent entrant into the team. From the community, she has had a long association with families in the basti, not just as a neighbour, but also through years of experience as a health worker with another organisation. She is working with women at Aagaaz along with Aabshaar. Zainab : A member of Aagaaz Repertory and an artist-facilitator who works with the adolescent boys’ group from the community, she is currently also working as the Leader of the Library Programme. She is from Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin and is associated with Aagaaz from before its inception. Her interest in film and photography as a medium runs deep. She is the unofficial video/photo documentation person at almost all Aagaaz events. Shreya : An illustrator and library educator - she is the Director of Programme, Community Library. Aabshaar : A dance and movement practitioner, at Aagaaz she works with adolescent girls and women. Mohd. Saddam : A member of Aagaaz Repertory and an artist-facilitator who works with the early years group from the community, he is currently also working as the Administrative Coordinator. He is from Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin and is associated with Aagaaz from before its inception. Shahid : A member of Aagaaz Repertory and an artist-facilitator who works with the new children who start showing up at Khwāb Ghar until they are sorted into various groups, he is currently also working as the Retail Fundraiser. He is from Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin and is associated with Aagaaz from before its inception. He is deeply interested in the use of digital media for storytelling.