About Us

Welcome to Gulsampa, a space where voices from near and far come together to celebrate the art of storytelling. While our heart beats for the rich literary traditions of Lakshadweep, we’re open to tales from around the world. At Gulsampa, we believe that literature knows no borders—it’s about the stories that resonate, no matter where they come from.

Born from a desire to give a platform to the writers of Lakshadweep, especially in the often-overlooked Mahl and Jaseri languages, Gulsampa aims to nurture and preserve the cultural heritage of the islands. With publishing opportunities for local writers being scarce, we hope to provide a welcoming space for both emerging and established voices.

But our doors are wide open! We love hearing from writers of all backgrounds who share our passion for storytelling in all its forms—whether it’s poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction or translations.

We invite you to join us on this literary adventure.

Meet the Team

Khairunnisa Nakathorige

Founder & Editor

Khairunnisa Nakathorige is the reader-in-chief at Gulsampa. She loves both reading and teaching but is often found lamenting the long hours in academia that keep her from reading as much as she would like. Secretly (or not so secretly), she dreams of leaving academia behind to fully dedicate herself to reading and writing. She is based in Hyderabad but can be caught dreaming of islands at all odd hours. Oh, and she’s definitely a cat person, if you must know!

Masrook Dar

Co-founder & Editor

Masrook Dar is an academic who’s passionate about Urdu poetry and enjoys the soothing sounds of Ghazals. Outside of his literary pursuits, he likes to experiment with generative art through programming. His interests blend a love for literature with a creative twist on modern technology.

F.G. Mohammed

Editor, Mahal

F. G. Mohammed has made significant contributions to preserving the culture and language of the people of Maliku. He is a seasoned translator and has previously worked as an Information Assistant and Photographer at the Department of Information & Public Relations, Government of Lakshadweep, as well as a Liaison Officer for Lakshadweep in New Delhi. His book, Learn Mahal through Malayalam, was published by the Lakshadweep Kala Academy in 2011. Additionally, he has contributed immensely by showcasing Maliku’s art and culture through the frequent escorting of cultural troupes to various parts of the country.

Unnikrishnan Kalamullathil

Editor, Malayalam

Unnikrishnan Kalamullathil is an Assistant Professor of English at Sri Vyasa NSS College in Wadakkanchery, and before that, he was busy teaching in Libya at Al Jabal Al Gharby University (yes, he’s got some serious travel stories!). His research interests are as quirky as they come, dabbling in Science Writing, Cultural Memory, and even the scents of the world in Smell Studies. When he’s not deep in research, you’ll find his poems and articles gracing the pages of top Malayalam journals such as Malayalam Weekly, Deshabhimani Weekly , Sahitya Chakavalam by Kerala Sahitya Academy. He’s edited a couple of textbooks, added his two cents in several book chapters, and somehow found time to join the University of Calicut’s Board of Studies for Drama—because why not?

Muhammad Naajih

Editor, Dhivehi

Muhammad Naajih has been passionate about and researching the history, language, and culture of the Maldives and Minicoy since his school days. For years, he has been actively sharing information and raising public awareness through posts and articles in both Dhivehi and English on various social media platforms, newspapers, and magazines. Additionally, he has been conducting similar work through television and radio broadcasts. Naajih has held significant positions, including membership in the Language Committee of the Dhivehi Language Academy and the Heritage Committee of the National Center for Cultural Heritage. He has also served as a Research Analyst at the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage. In collaboration with Professor Dr. Frank Heidemann, a social anthropologist from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, Naajih has been conducting ongoing research on Minicoy and the Maldives. Interestingly, Muhammad Naajih’s mother tongue is Addu Bas, a dialect of Dhivehi like the Maliku Bas (Mahal dialect) spoken in Minicoy. He was born in Maradhoo, Addu Atoll. While Muhammad Naajih is a qualified lawyer with formal education in the legal field, he is more widely recognized and respected in the Maldives for his work as a historian.

Hussain G.G.

Editor, Mahal

Hussain G.G. is a dedicated computer graduate and Copy Reader (Mahal) in the Department of Printing & Stationery, Lakshadweep, since 2007. He has notably digitized and enhanced old Mahal language religious texts, preserving language and culture. Passionate about DTP, graphic design, and programming, Hussain seeks to combine his technical skills with his love for cultural preservation. Outside work, he enjoys coding and digital projects, eager to collaborate with others who share his commitment to cultural preservation and positive impact.

Mansoor Mohammed

Social Media Manager

Mansoor is a microbiology student who loves books, movies and video games. When he’s not studying, you’ll find him immersed in the world of gaming. He’s always up for discovering new stories, whether in a book, a movie or a game.

Murthaza Nangatethachetta

Editor, Malayalam

Murthaza Nangatethachetta is deeply invested in the welfare of the islands. Currently, he serves as the Chief of the Academic Wing at Muhyusunna Education Society, Amini. Previously, he successfully designed and implemented IEC campaigns to garner public support for various flagship schemes, including the HIV/AIDS control program in Lakshadweep. He is also a talented actor and mentors students to excel both on and off stage. He believes that his own creative flair is inspired by his great-grandfather, a renowned lyricist, known for singing songs to fellow villagers during their oceanic voyages.

Reema Raveendran

Editor, English

Reema Raveendran is an Assistant Professor of English at Government Arts and Science College, Chelakkara, Thrissur. Apart from grappling with matters of college and home , Reema is passionate about exploring the intersections of space and literature and space and film. She holds a Ph.D. from the School of Letters, Mahatma Gandhi University. Her research investigates the representation of urban landscapes in Victorian Gothic Fiction, and examines the novel’s role in the broader discourse of city reform.