Dr Vayu Naidu

  • She/Her
Writer: Historical Fiction, Drama, Academic, Performance, Philosophy
Academic writer, Dramatist, Educational writer, Literary editor, Memoirist, Non-fiction writer, Novelist, Science fiction / fantasy writer, Spoken-word artist, Translator
Available for:
Collaboration, Editing, Festivals and other events, Judging, Lecturing and teaching, Library visits, Live readings and performances, Public speaking, Residencies, School visits, Workshops
Contact me via the SoA

 Dr Vayu Naidu  – Professor of Practice SOAS

The Living Legend – Ramayana Tales from Far and Near (Penguin: 2025) is a reimagining of the epic  in English, with research from southern and East Asian tales. My central focus is a forgotten character – THE FORESTS – and why Rama and Sita’s return to the environment has relevance to us. It is now an audio book narrated by me.

The Living Legend is selected  by Composer Dr Joe Butler for a Contemporary Music Orchestra tour organised by RPS in the UK.

  The Gift was long-listed for the Leeds SI Women’s Literary Prize for its span of history with the beginnings of English Trade seekers with India told through the experience of an Armenian immigrant –  I am  seeking an Agent and Publisher!   My earlier historical fiction The Sari of Surya Vilas  (Speaking Tiger India, Affirmpress Australia-2017) was ABC book of the week; Sita’s Ascent (Penguin: 2013) was nominated for the Commonwealth Book Award. BBC Radio Drama has broadcast my plays, and I write for Performance as well. www.vayunaidu.com. 

Short stories in anthologies include:
A Madurai Mystery of Victoriana (HWA – Sharpe 2020) Ed., Imogen Robertson Victoriana ;
Without a Stitch (VOGUE India – Harper Collins India 2018 anthology on Indian Writing) Dress
Richter’s Reef Time (Journal Infinity Rust – 2018 USA)
Cultures of Silence (Virago – 1994) Eds., Rukhsana Ahmad and Rahila Gupta The Flaming Spirit;
The Hedge (The Poetry Society – 1991)
More:  https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/intellect/btwo/2018/00000008/f0020001/art00011
As Royal Literary Fund Fellow, I teach approaches to Writing to open the imagination and critically shape how to communicate creatively through fiction and non-fiction – and discover the joy of writing. I am on the Editorial team of Writers Mosaic Magazine https://writersmosaic.org.uk.

I am a Visiting Fellow and Lecturer teaching at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and curated a foundation course: Theatre of the Outspoken:Influences of Indian Storytelling and Drama on British and Asian Theatre.https://www.rada.ac.uk/about-us/acting-teaching-staff/vayu-naidu/
 My interest continues in the history of medicinal plants and the empire of botany and I enjoy volunteering at the Chelsea Physic Garden started by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries and Hans Sloane in the seventeenth century.

I will be leading a Storytelling as visualisation  for telling and writing workshop at www.yogafestival.world in August 2026 . 

I  convene  and mentor Writers Residencies at destinations engaging participants with local context. 

Contact vayu@vayunaidu.com for further information; Clients, Agents, Publishers, arts organisations, NGOs, Businesses  – human, welcomed.