Champions of Change – Top 5 Women Shaping Modern Literature

In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of modern literature, the contributions of women authors have been nothing short of transformative. These literary champions are not only storytellers but also architects of cultural and social change, using their voices to reflect the complexities of contemporary life and inspire a global audience.

Among the leading figures in this movement are Ashima Syal, Divya Gupta Kotawala, Diptii Karrambe, Urja Joshi, and Mayaa SH, each bringing a unique perspective and profound depth to the world of literature. Through their diverse works, these authors have carved out spaces that challenge conventions, celebrate individuality, and foster a deeper understanding of the human experience.

ASHIMA SYAL | Top 5 Women Shaping Modern Literature 

“Be so rooted in literature, that it becomes a way of living your life” – Ashima Syal

Ashima Syal delved into the world of literature right from her school days. The pen became her pathway to language and she started to write. The genre Ashima chose to reveal snippets of her life experiences was Poetry.

Ashima became the resident to the unstoppable city of Mumbai.

Ashima, strongly believed in sharing the regime of Art, with this vision, she took to the stage, and began to share her poems in the form of Spoken Word Poetry. She chose this genre as she sees it as an unfiltered mirror which allows her to be herself and embrace her flaws.

To unravel her journey of literature Ashima conducted Creative Writing Workshops at 3 Art House, Mumbai, a second home for all Art forms.

Her workshop was not like the usual Creative Writing Workshops, it had a uniqueness of its own titled “The Inking Iris”. At Inking Iris, there were interesting writing activities for all aspiring writers. She liked all her participants to enjoy, so she made them take part in activities such like, choose any object in the room and write a fourteen line poem on it. There was also one activity titled colour your memory, with this activity all participants went down to the memory lane and learnt how to write memoirs.

Literature is life, Ashima with her powerful narrations at Spoken Word Events proves that Spoken Word Poetry is a genre through which women curate a space for themselves, a place which is their own, and moreover a place by them, for them. Ashima specifically chooses Spoken Word Poetry to address women oriented poems. Ashima’ s recent Spoken Word Performance at the Habitat Cafe in Khar Mumbai, depicted her uniqueness as a Poet, in a day and age, where people talk about love in the context of relationships, lovers.

Ashima narrated her poem ” Companion”., where she put forth her view how Nature is her companion. Ashima’s  work has been featured in International Journals such as the Holistic Pine. Ashima through her writing journey sees literature as a part of her life which is inseparable from her and allows her to best express herself. 

DIVYA GUPTA KOTAWALA | Top 5 Women Shaping Modern Literature 

Divya Gupta Kotawala, a multifaceted individual hailing from Delhi. It was the profound loss of her father to COVID-19 in 2021 that propelled her into a new chapter of life. Graduating from Modern School and St. Stephen’s College, she pursued her passion for fashion design at NIFT, interning with esteemed designers. Despite life’s complexities, Divya maintains a balance between personal, professional, and social commitments, actively engaging in social welfare and spiritual pursuits.

Her transformative journey, catalyzed by her debut book “My Dad’s Daughter,” has earned her accolades and platforms to inspire others grappling with grief. It’s has recently topped the Amazon chart as the top #7 best seller!!In this new chapter of life, she has won several awards and appreciation for transforming her pain into her biggest strength, her story was recently covered by Humans of Bombay platform and she just turned a TEDx Speaker as her talk is now live on YouTube.

For Divya now the passion is to devote her life to help many heal around her through her words, thoughts and her podcasts. 

DIPTII KARRAMBE | Top 5 Women Shaping Modern Literature 

Diptii Karrambe, the founder of Modak Factory, turned her passion for traditional Indian sweets into a successful business, delivering homemade modaks to countless homes. Leaving a high-paying corporate job to focus on her family, Diptii’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by her love for Lord Ganesha and the cultural significance of modaks.

Diptii is also passionate about parenting and has co-authored a book on the subject titled “Sarvavyaapi Siksha.” This book serves as a guiding light for parents, educators, and all those passionate about holistic, inclusive education, further showcasing Diptii’s commitment to making a positive impact beyond the culinary world.

Her venture Modak Factory, which started with a small capital, has grown into a thriving cloud kitchen operation, producing thousands of modaks during festivals. Diptii’s story is a celebration of tradition, devotion, and entrepreneurial success, inspiring many to follow their passions. 

URJA JOSHI | Top 5 Women Shaping Modern Literature 

Author Urja Joshi has emerged as a popular name in Indian Literature. She may be 22, but this podcaster, speaker, illustrator, and an aspiring therapist is the youngest bestselling female author of India.

Her latest book “3:40 a.m. from heart to head” has recently hit the markets and readers have already made it one of the most loved books of the year. It’s a poetry book divided into two parts heart & head, and it talks about the constant tug of war between logic & emotion, a book full of emotions talking about various themes like heartbreak, healing, desperation, depression, anxiety, death, distance, hope, growth and so much more.

Urja Joshi was in the limelight recently as she trended at #1 on X (formerly Twitter) in India. Readers, fans and followers of Urja made the day memorable for her as thousands of them tweeted their appreciation for her. The hashtag that trended at #1 in India was #AuthorUrjaJoshi while some users also used #UrjaJoshi. 

MAYAA SH | Top 5 Women Shaping Modern Literature

Mayaa SH also known as Lady Singham ,Lady Karl Marx and Female Chulbul Pandey is a  feminist philosopher , thinker and essayist in 21st century modern India. She is not a typical passive Indian woman who blindly follow the norms that are not meant to uplift women in a more sensitive and rational manner. She is a Mother of championing the power of self belief to an extent that her vision of her philosophy is to give freedom to woman from so called judgements that still plague our society at large.

Mayaa SH is a  Literary Empowerment Campaigner, an Iconic Contemporary Authoress and Poetess and A Social Activist  who has shattered all glass ceilings and barriers to champion the cause of Gender Equality and Neutrality .Best known for her work in Swayam , she is Championer of Women’s Rights, Authoress, Public Intellectual, and a former corporate juggernaut, Mayaa SH is  a recognised crusader on Indian’s contemporary verve of economics, freedom of the press, gender neutrality and human rights.

Mayaa SH is a known name in contemporary literature and is a multi National and State Award Winner, a Podcaster, an Artist ,a Record Chart Topping International Fastest Anthology Co-Author and a thirteen times World Record Holder. She is driven by passion to write and compose. She has love for grammar and mental health awareness by engaging in talk as remedial navigation through any situation. She always tries to look for ways to merge the two. She is an avid enthusiast for the three C’s : Character , Charisma  and Chivalry. Be it, writing; debating or counselling; she makes sure to dedicate time to every such field wherein the reach is extensive and dedicated towards people in order to make her dreams reach countless souls. She is a suicide prevention expert.

Mayaa SH has been practically looking at matters where she has been covering concerns of matrimonial matters of many women and has seen the atrocity incriminated in matter of advocate sadhna yadav . Mayaa is passionate about exploring various facets of law and works towards enlightening people about their statutory, legal and fundamental rights. She makes it her job to decipher for the public the truth, be it in an intricate civil dispute or in a gruesome criminal case in terms of conciliatory approaches of looking law at a more positive light for legal reliefs.

Mayaa has inspired girls, women to deepen their  lives within oneself and engage in an inner awakening that can transform their lives and the lives of those around them. Through her self held books like Swayam, Stamped and Sangharsh specifically is a  transformative guide that takes readers on a profound journey of self-discovery and inner freedom.

Through insightful teachings and practical quotes, Mayaa SH has endeavoured to explore the nature of consciousness, the ego, and the power of mindfulness. All her writings have continued to offer a roadmap to all women who want to break free from limiting beliefs, embrace the present moment, and unlock the true potential of one’s soul.