Testimonial 1
As I sit down to pen my thoughts for the Writers' Association one last time, my heart is full of gratitude, memories, and bittersweetness as all this is ending. I still remember the surreal moment I was selected into the Writer's Association. Out of many wonderful and talented applicants, someone saw potential in me. As an introvert, I had never thought my voice would be loud enough to be heard—but in that moment, it was, and it changed everything. The pride that gushed down my veins when I saw my first article published on the college blog is, to date, absolutely indescribable. I reread it repeatedly, not out of vanity but disbelief that this was by me. I had always written for myself, often in notebooks and 3 am scribbles on my phone and a small quantity of poetry that I never dared to publish in the past few years. However, suddenly it felt like I had an audience. I felt seen.
However, if there was one moment that made it all real, it was the day I was handed my Writers' Association varsity jacket and badge. To me, it was not just cloth. It was a symbol. A symbol that said, You belong here. All those hours spent writing, second-guessing, and editing had led to something. Recognition! As someone who has always kept herself in the shadows, being truly seen for something I loved was overwhelming. The jacket and the badge told the world, "I am a writer," but most importantly, it reminded me. Santhosh, sir, our mentor, guide, and anchor, calling us "fellow writers" for the first time, will always be imprinted in me. At that moment, I realised that this word held so much value, and I started believing it was my identity. His faith made us brave enough to do so.
And then there was the Writers' Cafe. A space that to me felt like the heart and soul of the Writer's Association. It was not just an event; it felt like so much more. A circle of trust where creativity was its core and courage was its common language. I still remember the silence falling over each time someone stepped forward, often nervously, to share a piece of themselves. That hush would later become a large round of applause and appreciative nods. Listening to other writers was one of the most beautiful parts of this journey. There was something incredibly moving about witnessing so many forms of expression—from powerful monologues and evocative prose to even original songs that had us swaying or would sometimes even lead to a tear or two. Writer's Cafe gave me and many others the permission to be vulnerable, the freedom to experiment, and the joy of being part of something that was so much more than a gathering. It was a celebration of who we were in all our uniqueness. It was about realising we are all more connected than we think.
One of the most enriching aspects of being part of the Writer's Association was the International Lecture Series. It was not just about listening to renowned authors and poets worldwide—it was expanding our horizons as thinkers. The most unforgettable session for me was the Craft Talk on Tsgin by Cecilia Woloch. She did not just speak; she invited us into a world I knew so little about. The history and spirit of the Romani people. Through her words, I saw not just the beauty and resilience of Gypsy culture but also the heartbreak, the complexity, and their beautiful tradition of storytelling that was suppressed for centuries. What struck me the most was her ability to blend poetic form with cultural truth. It made me reflect on our stories, rooted in our land, language, and people, and how we could draw inspiration from our heritage and infuse it in our works.
Among the many events held by the Writers' Association, the one that left the deepest mark on me was "Pen to Paper—The Author's Odyssey" by our fellow writer M. Nandha Kumar. To say it was just an event would be a lie. It was one of those rare afternoons where time seemed to have paused, and every word spoken seemed to land straight to the heart. It was so powerful that Mr. Nandha Kumar was not just a speaker. He was one of us. A fellow student and writer. However, he stood out there and unravelled his journey with such honesty and rawness that he felt like someone who lived through his stories. He spoke of struggles, moments of self-doubt, and rejection. However, what made it unforgettable was how he never framed these struggles as endings, only as beginnings. That afternoon, something shifted in all of us. We did not just leave feeling inspired. We left feeling changed and empowered. "Pen to Paper" reminded me that writing is not reserved for the already accomplished. It belongs to the passionate and persistent dreamers. As young writers, we needed to hear that. I know I did.
And then came our biggest triumph—Talestra, the intercollegiate fest celebrating everything we had grown as a team. There were moments of absolute madness, sleepless nights, and last-minute changes, yet it was a beautiful chaos to be involved in. Simeon and Taochi, our rockstar secretaries, gave their all for this fest. Their leadership, patience, and belief in the team carried us forward, even when it got too challenging sometimes. However, what made Talestra so special was not just its scale or success. It was the spirit of collaboration that sparked among us. We all came in with different strengths. Some of us were organisers, emcees, and logistics and hospitality. Moreover, somehow, all those roles fell right into place. Our place. Everyone contributed what they were best at, and we created something bigger than ourselves. Being on the registration team pushed me out of my shell in ways I did not expect. I met incredible people—both from within our association and other colleges. We spoke, shared many moments of laughter, and worked equally hard, and somewhere along the way, I stopped being afraid of putting myself out there.
As I prepare to graduate and close this chapter of my life, I find myself holding on tightly to every memory, every conversation, every event, and every behind-the-scenes moment that has taken place. This association was not just a college club. It was and will always be my comfort space, where I was not expected to be loud to be heard. I could be my quiet, slightly awkward, overly poetic self and still feel like I mattered. The people here certainly made all the difference. The ones who clapped when I read something out loud for the first time, the ones who gently laid down constructive criticism when needed, and the ones who reminded me of my voice. I walk away now with more than just memories. I walk away with lifelong friendships, a new sense of confidence, and a heart overflowing with gratitude.
To the Writers' Association, thank you for not just giving me a platform but for giving me a place. You have been my greatest learning curve, launchpad, and comfort zone. So, if someday, you find my name on the cover of a book or tucked away in some literary piece, know that it all started here with a quiet, unsure girl who walked into a room full of strangers and found a family. With trembling hands and a varsity jacket that fit overly big, but finally made her feel like she belonged. Every story I go on to tell will carry traces of this place, these people, and this version of me that dared once again to believe she was a writer simply because the Writer's Association made her truly believe it first.
Caren Mascarenhas - 22PYEN12
Testimonial 2
In a world full of assignments and deadlines, the bustling campus of KJC held a special place for me; the Writers' Association was my haven, my home.
The Writers' Association was constantly buzzing with activity. The Writers' Café gave us an opportunity to present and have meaningful discussions about our writing. Orientations from various resourceful writers, including international writers, through the International Lecture Series helped us gain advanced knowledge on how to improve and establish our writing.
However, the most memorable events were our intra and intercollegiate fests- Meliora and Talestra. The growth opportunities exceeded participating in events and challenging ourselves; here we also learned how to organise events, host writers from various colleges and ensure a smooth and memorable fest for everyone. The Writers' Association also allowed us to publish our work in newspapers. To top it all off, we created and published a book, which included all of our writings, called KJC Wordsmiths. Such exposure and nourishment have been instrumental in my writing growth.
The true treasure I found, however, was in the people. The banter-loving, warm, and judgment-free environment we built together gave me some of the most beautiful memories of my college life. Our meetings always felt like a warm hug on a rainy day.
Looking back, two years since my first meeting with the Writers' Association, I can confidently say I have been changed for the better. I have found myself as a writer, my people, and where I truly belong.
I am forever grateful to the Writer's Association for painting my memories a shade of pink that I won’t ever forget.
Anitta Boban Thomas - 22IBP794
Testimonial 3
I was often left feeling trifling in the constant need to belong somewhere. However, that could not stop me from subduing my mind and redirecting it towards the only thing that kept me alive: pouring my heart into paper!
Even in my nadir, I ensconced in the warmth of my most favourite, safe spot in our college- Writers' Association …. It all began when, in my second year, I received an email for the enrolment into the Writers' Association, a budding club. I never knew this journey could let me feel or be evocative. At the cusp of one year, the club emerged among the best by constantly engaging the young writers through various activities. The alacrity of every club member is what makes it dear to my heart. I cannot stop thinking about two of the major events of the club- Meliora and Talestra, which made me feel morale.
Writers' Association will always be those pages of my life marked with love and highlighted in glitter.
Ananya Subramanian - 22FRSB07
Testimonial 4
My experience at the KJC Writers' Association was phenomenal. The various activities conducted by the association have polished my skills as a writer and refined my thoughts as a reader. The KJC Writers' Association has given literary exposure a whole new meaning. Throughout my two years at this association, I have witnessed traditional activities giving way to more creative and revolutionised methods of building a writers' community, with the limelight not only at writing poetry and stories, but at a broader range of innovation, with the "Writers' Café", a communication enhancing event for writers, playwriting workshops, an intracollegiate and intercollegiate fest – Meliora, Talestra and a distinguished publication of the writers’ works in newspapers and blogs. A proud collaboration of the writers' works is in the association's newsletter and book – KJC Wordsmiths Vol 1.
KJC Writers' Association has given me opportunities to express myself through words and phrases, reminding me that as a writer, I can change the world with my ideas.
Hajira Bee - 22CDSA21