Introducing: Social Co Workers

21 August 2014

The Social Hauz Khas has been up and running for a month now and there’s been a lot of talk of the space’s collaborative and innovative work environment and stellar hospitality. The last few weeks have seen the venue hold events like The Coalition’s first Inspire Session in Delhi and LBBD’s Creative Pow Wow to a packed house, and we’ve heard that their calendar for the next few months is shaping up to be even more exciting.

But not nearly enough has been said about the heart of Social – the shiny, happy new batch of fellows, freshly selected after a rigorous application process and a diligent team who make sure that everything stays ticking. Megumi D’Souza and Pranav Sawhney, Culture Managers at Social are the bustling twosome responsible for making sure events are organised on time, playlists stay up to date and that the needs of their fellows are taken care of. Here’s what they had to say about their experience so far:

“The past month at Work from Social in Hauz Khas has been absolutely crazy. The interest this place generated is representative of the massive amounts of creative and entrepreneurial energy in Delhi. We’ve met some fantastic people here who are already collaborating and creating new projects with their fellow workers. We’re planning some exciting things for the next few months, especially the extension of Work from Social which will accommodate nearly 70 more people. Watch this space!”

The fellows really make the space what it is - the whole purpose, after all, is to redefine ‘social’ and take it offline, back to a real world with real people. We got in touch with some of the individuals working out of Social to get to know them a little better...

Grant Davis
Grant Davis is a Hindi- Urdu translator, filmmaker and co-founder at Dear – a research and content production studio based in Delhi. He’s worked on the feature documentary ‘Tomorrow We Disappear’ and is currently shooting films with Dear in West Bengal, Leh, Tamil Nadu, and Hyderabad. Grant also runs a pretty wicked blog, guaranteed to make you grin, that documents the latest in t-shirt styles on the streets of India called Nice Shirt Dear.

When life gives you lemons...

I draw faces on them and put them on display.

Who would play you in a movie and why?
Well, ideally the movie would be 3D animated and my voice over would be done by Jackie Shroff. His voice has great range.

What would be the soundtrack?
Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues

Vibhu Sharma
To call Vibhu Sharma a ‘jack of all trades’ would be a massive understatement – his expertise ranges from artist management to event production and he has in the past, produced some of the liveliest fests in the city - Holicow! and the Escape Festival included. He was most recently involved in the India's first Street Art Festival: St.ART Delhi.

Name a fictional character you identify with most and why.

George Jetson - I fly away and nobody finds out.

What's the last thing you think about before going to bed at night?
Can I eat more?

If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
Rage Against the Machine-Bulls on Parade.


Rahul Das
Those following our magazine will know Rahul Das as the face behind Sundogproject –an alternative rock/electronic outfit based in Delhi (here's what he's up to now). But that isn’t his only avatar – between recording and performing, Das is a legit, full time, freelance designer. He’s now in the process of starting his own clothing brand called ‘Rinkled’.

What's the most embarrassing song/band you love?
It’s a tie between Katy Perry’s 'California Gurls' and Aqua’s 'Barbie Girl'. I’m not really embarrassed about them, those songs are awesome!

Which fictional character do you most identify with and why?
I am the Eggman! But I'm not the walrus, because goo goo g'joob g'goo goo g'joob.

What's the one thing you wish you could un-see?
Jat dudes wearing low v-necks shirts. The combination of torrid summer evening winds and chest hair is an unpleasant one.



Anoothi Vishal
Anoothi Vishal has the best job in the world. She’s a food columnist, travel writer and contributor to many publications, including the Economic Times. Anoothi also curates pop-up restaurants and is currently writing a book on cuisine history out of Social.


You've travelled a lot. What's the one place you would never go back to?
Doha, Qatar: The most boring city in the world!

What's the most disgusting thing you've ever eaten?
The tip of a sheep's tongue in Italy.

When the going gets tough...
Take a nap!



Nav Chatterji
This self described ‘entreprenerd’ is an ex-digital media investment banker on Wall St. and now designer. Taking inspiration from his ‘new psycho candy’ - India, Chatterji started the ‘Khoob’ Group of Companies that works with a number of brands, NGO's and entrepeneurs. Nav is currently working on khojo.org/ in the Khoob Labs. You can check out his fascinating, minimalist personal website here.

If you had to select one last movie to watch in your life, which would you pick?
Dumb & Dumber. I would love to go out smiling ear to ear.

A sound that makes you cringe?
I’m undecided between Justin Bieber and the incessant honking at traffic lights here in Delhi.

What's the best thing you've ever tasted?
Defeat/Failure. Second best thing: peanut butter + hazelnut on semi-burnt toast.



Anubhav Gupta
Anubhav Gupta is a business manager at Do One Thing – a strategic consultancy that functions at the juncture between the private sector and culture. He also organizes The Gig Week, which is an annual music festival that takes place in Delhi.

What's the most embarrassing song/artist you love?
John Mayer. *runs and hides in shame*

What's the most disgusting thing you've ever eaten?
Can't think of a single one - I'm vegetarian and famously unadventurous with food.

Who would play you in a movie about your life and why?
Jack Gleeson in the early years, Leonardo DiCaprio in the middle and Sean Connery after. Only because then it'll open huge on the box office despite the lack of storyline or critical merit!



Gaurav Malakar
You probably know Gaurav Malaker better as BLOT! – an AV electronic act that has had music lovers in the capital weak in the knees for a while now. He also co-owns Qilla Records and is obsessed with big cats (in case you hadn't already guessed), analog synthesisers, and practices concerning "Delhi's unique nightlife anthropology".

A sound that makes you cringe?
Steel on steel and Lata Mangeshkar (sorry, world-at-large).

Name a fictional character you identify with, and why.
I’d like to think of myself as Shere Khan from the Jungle Book but realistically (and tragically), probably Timon from the Lion King.

A song/band that you never get tired of?
I’m fickle and tire of things rather quickly.



Gaurika Mehta
This designer is obsessed with all things big, bright, beautiful and most importantly - neon and her design imprint is, naturally, called Gaurika is currently working with some of the foremost designers in india and even owns her own range of resort wear, peppered with boho love, called HsH, or High Standard Hippie. Neon Planes will be out with a new line of stationary this festive season.

A sight that makes you uncomfortable?
Roadside Peewalas in India (I can’t believe that I have seen most of the male population of delhi taking a piss).

What would you pick as an alternative career if you weren't doing what you are now?
Be an official Beach Bum and run a small BnB on a beach somewhere…

What's the most disgusting thing you've ever tasted?
Marmite! Tastes like processed black gunk.

Words: Diya Gupta

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