Having traversed careers and continents, childhood friends Archana Mohan and Anjana Raghavan returned to Chennai and founded Pagir in May 2024. During their stints abroad—Archana in the US and Anjana in the UK—they understood that a cohesive neighbourhood is the foundation for a healthy and compassionate society. “Pagir means to share in Tamil,” says Archana. “When we came back, we saw that there was a vacuum—no community space to bring people together. In Chennai, there are cafes and restaurants and spaces to hang out, but most are out of reach and not affordable for everyone,” she says.
Archana explains how it all came about. “The idea was to create a community through physical space. And make it accessible to all. And that includes gender identities, classes, strata of society, a place where everybody feels included.”
The two sociology majors returned home and set up a non-profit organisation with the intent of creating a space for adolescents in May 2024. A safe space where they would be able to explore learning and creativity during the tough transition ages. Soon, they realised that it was more complicated than they had anticipated it to be.
Archana and Anjana realised they would first have to create a community where they would invite parents and caregivers, the “gatekeepers” as Archana refers to them and earn their trust. That was a pivot right at the start of the journey, which is full of stories, with sometimes very unexpected twists.
And then the space found them. Pagir is on the first floor of a lovely two-storied house in Thiruvanmiyur’s Valmiki Nagar. Close to the beach on one side, and the bustling roads on the other, it is a perfect setting for folks of different backgrounds, sectors, stages of discovery and life. Here, people come to create with passion, and others come to watch with awe. Some come to teach and some to learn. Many come to explore, and there are those who rediscover and reengineer, too. Mainly, always, to share. Pagirndhukolvadharkku (to share) to put it succinctly. When the friends chanced upon this space, a plan began to fall in place very quickly.
“The way Pagir works is that it is a community space, there is a lockbox, and anybody can let themselves in. There is a calendar that gives people the available dates. So, for the first time around, Anjana or I sit with them to understand their requirements and to explain the concept to them,” explains Archana. It is hallowed ground as far as the friends are concerned. It is a place which brings the community together for whatever reason, so they expect the place to be treated with love and respect. And in return, they ask the people who book the space to attend other events, encourage fellow artists, and be part of the growing community that Pagir fosters. “We try to make them understand that it is not a one-time transaction, it’s not all about the money. And that has been a big part of onboarding folks to our space. We tell them that it’s a process space, rather than a performance space.”
A community-driven space, Pagir offers a safe haven for anyone looking for an intimate gathering
Entering the premises at Pagir, you could run into a theatre group rehearsing their play. Or it could be a workshop for teens conducted by Anjana. Maybe it’s story day, when a bunch of little ones crowd around Renu, a storyteller who often comes to Pagir. Pagir also welcomes counsellors and psychologists who require a quiet, safe, intimate space to work with their clients. Then, a few months ago, there was a leadership workshop by Sumesh & Chiai from One All Trust for high school girls who were chosen from along the coast, from Ennore to Mahabalipuram, through ultimate frisbee. The counsellors chose Pagir to run their classes at. And when they needed a beach, Pagir had just what the doctor ordered; the beach is all of 10 minutes away. “The girls had a great time, and their counsellors were so happy that they’d found this safe, informal, and friendly place to work in,” says Archana.
Once a month, Bhava from Starvoirs, a regular patron at Pagir, conducts stargazing sessions with his “very cool” telescope. The community spirit created at Pagir is contagious. The duo, along with volunteers, are up at daybreak to clean up their stretch of beach. Archana explains, “We have open mic on some days, and meet-ups on others, where ideas are bounced around, discussed, and exchanged. We want you to have access to the place where you can process your craft and hone your skills. Rather than give this place to those that are well-established, we try to give it to those who are still finding their footing and exploring who they want to be”.
Every new member at Pagir adds a leaf to the mural on the wall
Pagir is more like a house than a ‘venue’. There’s a sense of intimacy that when you enter, you are enveloped in a feeling of warmth. There is a large room which is used for plays and rehearsals and art shows, there are two smaller rooms for smaller sessions or artists in residence, a patio and a terrace. Archana smiles, “It’s a place where multiple people can use multiple places at the same time, where chance friendships, serendipitous encounters, forays into a new craft, and fresh ideas are all possible.” Not all ideas that come out of the rooms of Pagir lead to success, but the founders are clear that the doors are always open for people to return to the process, and have fun doing so.
Archana and Anjana do not have investors, nor are they currently looking for any. They are content to watch Pagir find its own path and be a bit of something to everyone in the community. Archana says, “We don’t take contributions from people who are not using the space. Even those who do use it, it’s only a voluntary contribution. Like this theatre group that rehearsed and put up their show at Pagir. They did not have the money to pay us, but after their (successful) show, they contributed all their hat collection to us. Some people offer to do a workshop in lieu of rent, or those who bring their friends to watch the shows or buy the crafts on sale. It’s a matter of coming together and doing things together.”
Pagir’s initiatives include raising funds for children who need school fees for higher education, helping bring awareness about the transformative adolescent years through workshops for parents, and a Maker’s Library that is co-curated by Deeptha from Giggle Minds (a community makers space where the focus is as much on making as on meeting people).
The friends have plans on how to grow the community, rather than how to grow Pagir, along with the artists, artisans, storytellers, craftspeople, counsellors, mentors, and teachers who come to share their skills here. Pagir fosters a sense of belonging for many who are in search of a place to learn, to teach, and to share. Their logo is the banyan tree, which is now a mural on their walls. Every time a new patron enters Pagir, a new leaf is added, and the community grows some more. “Like the banyan tree, which offers a spot for anyone seeking shelter, we want to be there for anyone seeking to express themselves. But the idea is to keep it intimate, on a first-name basis, if you will. It’s gratifying to see people treat Pagir with the same love and respect that we have for it.” Anjana and Archana have smart, motivated interns – Veda, Leah, Nivedita, Meenaz – and enthusiastic high schoolers, all of whom are eager to be part of Pagir’s journey. Sort of passing the baton to the next gen.
So next time you hear of a storytelling hour or a mural workshop or even just a chance to gaze at the stars at Pagir, don’t pass it up, step in and share the vibe. And share the news.
Pagir mural at the patio
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