Two reading communities in Kochi redefine 'silent reading' by taking it to the green outdoors, inviting bibliophiles to indulge in focused reading in the company of kindred spirits.
Readers at Panampilly Nagar Central Park in Kochi on a Saturday. (Supplied)
Every Saturday evening, Panampilly Nagar Central Park in Kochi comes alive with the magic of literature as the Sun paints the surroundings in its gentle hues.
Every corner of the park becomes a canvas of imagination, with readers sprawled gracefully or seated in quiet contemplation.
The park’s lush greenery and serene ambience provide the perfect backdrop for this literary gathering, offering an oasis of serenity amid the bustle of the city.
Fanning the flames of this literary renaissance are two reading communities with a commanding online presence: Kochi Reads and Kochi Book Reading Club.
Books seen during one of the Kochi Reads sessions. (Supplied)
“My favourite period in school was the library period — reading in silence with my friends sitting across the table,” reminisces 27-year-old Gopika Manjusha from Thiruvananthapuram, who has been calling Kochi her home for the past few years now.
Gopika dons many hats — she is an artist, model, Zumba instructor, and influencer marketer. She also manages the popular Cochin Food Alert blog.
Gopika’s journey towards Kochi Reads began when she encountered Cubbon Reads, a silent reading initiative founded by Bengaluru-based Shruti Sah and Harsh Snehanshu in December 2022.
To document and share their weekly “silent literary adventures”, they created an Instagram page called Cubbon Reads, which quickly gained popularity. This movement has now expanded to more than 60 cities globally, including Kochi.
“I came across an Instagram story by Cubbon Reads, talking about curators for their ‘silent reading movement’. It resonated with me and I signed up immediately,” Gopika recalls.
She took charge of Kochi Reads in June this year, establishing weekly sessions at Panampilly Nagar Central Park and managing operations single-handedly.
In its debut session, around 15 participants gathered, leaving Gopika pleasantly surprised. “I wasn’t anticipating such a turnout,” she admits, “I’ve never before seen people so absorbed in reading within a park’s ambience.”
The second edition faced the challenge of rain, resulting in fewer attendees.
Confronting rainy weather, Gopika reached out to the Ernakulam Public Library, seeking a space for the silent reading sessions. The library generously agreed, however, the attendance remained low, with only four individuals present during the third edition.
Anticipating the fourth edition, Gopika shared videos and photos from prior sessions, which gained viral attention.
Kochi Reads: A group photo from one of their reading sessions. (Supplied)
“After this, people began thronging our sessions. Families began frequenting the gatherings, transforming them into ‘reading picnics,’ complete with mats, blankets, snacks, and shared reading enjoyment. Children instinctively emulated others by reading quietly,” she recollects.
Commencing at 3:30 pm and concluding by 6 pm, the silent reading sessions end with a group photograph.
Following this, even though there is no pressure to socialise, a subset of members gathers at a nearby tea shop to chat.
“Participants travel from distant areas across Ernakulam, such as Aluva, Angamaly, Paravur, and beyond. They believe that the journey is justified by the valuable experience,” Gopika mentions.
Diverging from conventional membership structures, Kochi Reads adopts a fluid membership approach. Open to all, individuals can partake in sessions, announced via Instagram, resulting in a mix of both familiar and new participants every week.
An average of 25-30 members, from senior citizens to school students and whole families, attend the sessions every week.
Irrespective of the medium, whether it’s a book, Kindle, tablet, or phone, the unifying factor is an unwavering dedication to focused reading.
“I love being a part of Kochi Reads as both senior citizens and youngsters have got a common platform to enjoy reading together,” says Deepika Giri, a 49-year-old homemaker, who tries to make it to every session.
The community has no formal book discussions but that’s what draws people according to Gopika.
“It’s a space where nobody is forced to indulge in conversations,” she emphasises.
“Though primarily a ‘reading’ community, I’ve noticed individuals who find solace in music, relaxation, or even knitting while others read. It’s a space where everyone is enveloped in harmony.”
As Kochi Reads charts its trajectory, Gopika envisions a future akin to the diversified growth of Cubbon Reads, with spin-offs such as Cubbon Paints and Cubbon Knits.
Expansion remains on the horizon, albeit with the challenge of finding larger spaces.
“The current meet-up location, Panampilly Nagar Central Park, is limited in space. Viable spots are scarce. Subhash Park in Kochi, while suitable, is often crowded on weekends,” she laments.
“If you don’t read, you can’t lead.”
Vachasamrita Saiju and Nidhin M. (Supplied)
It was when this simple yet profound quote caught Vachasamrita Saiju’s attention that she embarked on a journey that would redefine her relationship with books.
This quote, initially perceived in the context of organisational leadership, later revealed to her its relevance to personal growth.
“Books aid you in navigating life and its many tribulations,” says the co-founder of Kochi Book Reading Club, adding, “My challenge is coping with a chronic health condition called lupus. Everyone grapples with their battles, be it existential crises, financial tribulations, or trauma. And books help you navigate all of this,” the 23-year-old asserts.
Vachasamrita, who is also co-founder of Lupus Trust India, a non-profit formed to spread awareness about lupus, had seldom delved into the world of reading until recently.
“Of course, I would skim through short articles now and then,” she confesses, “but I never picked up a book and read it completely until this year. When I started taking reading seriously, I wanted others to follow suit too.”
The seeds of the Kochi Book Reading Club were sown in May this year, with Vachasamrita’s Instagram post inviting readers to convene at the park with their chosen book.
“Evenings are the time when the void hits you hard,” she muses, “So I figured it would be nice to get out at that time and meet like-minded people who like to read in silence.”
The Kochi Book Reading Club thrives without formal structures, with itineraries communicated solely through Instagram.
The growing group of readers at Kochi Reads. (Supplied)
“People who want to come will come. We want our members to come of their own accord and not be pushed,” Vachasamrita asserts.
Their first session saw an attendance of around 25 people. As the word spread, a growing number of individuals from different walks of life started embracing their Saturday silent reading gatherings.
Today, the Kochi Book Reading Club has an active membership of around 35 members, with at least 25 members attending each silent reading session.
Comprising both young adults and seniors who are young at heart, the club gathers at a quiet corner of Panampilly Nagar Central Park every Saturday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, sit in a circle and simply read as soft jazz music plays from speakers.
“In the final 20 minutes of each gathering, we initiate a book discussion session. I believe that it helps in nurturing the reading habit and cultivating bonds,” Vachasamrita shares.
The club isn’t just for traditional bookworms. A group of artists who are regulars sketch amid the silence, demonstrating that quiet contemplation can take various forms.
Beyond park sessions, the club explores social events, like their gathering at the Blossoms Book Fair at the Press Club recently, where reading was accompanied by milkshakes, courtesy of the friendly owner.
“We also got to do a lot of book shopping together and, later, went out to have a couple of beers!” Vachasamrita exclaims.
Nidhin M, co-founder of the club and an entrepreneur running a marketing company in Kochi, has been a steadfast supporter of Vachasamrita since its inception.
Their shared dedication to reading evolved into collaborative ideation, implementation, and more.
The duo operates based on the concept of introspective reading, encouraging members to question their motivations and explore why and what they read.
The reading club thrives without formal structures, with itineraries communicated solely through Instagram. (Supplied)
“We initiated surveys among club members to gain insights into their reading motivations. We want our members to have a purpose-based reading approach that can help them reap both personal and professional rewards. Every member also has an accountability partner — someone from the group who encourages them and helps them navigate reading when it gets difficult,” she asserts.
“I have been with the club for the past six sessions. Initially, the idea of dedicating two hours to reading seemed daunting, but with the invaluable support of fellow members, I embraced this journey step by step. Their applause for completing a chapter was a source of motivation. What’s more, their insightful recommendations in my area of fascination, time travel, enriched my reading experience,” says Aditya Vinayak, a 25-year-old mechanical design engineer based in the city.
Vachasamrita envisions exciting prospects for the club’s future.
“We plan to form smaller groups within the club that focus on specific genres, themes, or authors. Such committees could offer members a more immersive reading experience, allowing for in-depth discussions and analysis within their chosen areas of interest,” she says.
“In addition, we aim to host author talks and provide a platform for budding authors to thrive. We’re excited for these endeavours to materialise soon,” she signs off.
So if you are an avid reader or even a beginner and this concept piques your interest, check out @kochireads and @kochibookreadingclub on Instagram
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