In this 10th episode of OOPTalks, we sit down with someone who builds worlds not just through art, but through people. Meet Maya, the Community & Relations Lead at G5A an art/ performance space and its sister restaurant PORT - a dual role that beautifully blends culture, curiosity, and connection.
A young creative with a keen eye for detail, and a love for culture, she brings both depth and warmth to everything she touches. And that’s exactly why we’re so excited to have her on this milestone episode.
OOP: Can you share a little about your journey so far.
Maya: I’m Maya. I’m from Patna, became an adult in Delhi, and then, about a year ago, drifted over to Bombay. In Delhi, building community was how we survived: I chose to work with friends, lived with them, and over time we became chosen family. In our early twenties, we came together to figure out who we were, and who we wanted to become.
In Bombay, community building is still essential, but it’s more outward-looking. Through G5A, a space dedicated to contemporary culture, and PORT, I’ve found a way to support independent, experimental artists, and ideas. Here, I’m not just part of a social circle. I get to help build something bigger than myself: a community that nurtures different stories and makes the city richer, not just in culture but in connection.
It’s intentional work - even as I carry a little bit of Delhi’s effortless magic with me.
OOP: What drew you to working between an art/performance space, and a restaurant - two spaces that, in their own ways, bring people together?
Maya: I’ve always been drawn to the worlds of food, art, and design — whether it was writing about dive bars in Delhi or volunteering for small musicals. Working between a lab for culture and a restaurant feels like the perfect marriage of these interests. Both are places where people come together, and getting to help shape experiences for people feels like the most natural (and the most fun) version of work for me.
OOP: Your work revolves around people and culture — what keeps you inspired when you’re constantly interacting, hosting, or creating experiences for others?
Maya: What keeps me inspired is the search for warmth—creating the kind of experiences I’d love to walk into myself. And honestly, a lot of that energy comes from the people around me: my team, the artists, the guests. When you’re surrounded by good people, it’s easy to stay excited about making great experiences.
OOP: Community building can be emotionally demanding. How do you stay grounded while being the person who connects everyone else?
Maya: I take it one day at a time, and I lean on a few great confidantes. Having people I can be fully myself with keeps me steady, so I can show up for everyone else without losing my own center.
OOP: When it comes to dressing, do you plan your looks or do you lean into intuition and mood?
Maya: I’m definitely an intuition-and-mood dresser but comfort is my anchor.
I love a weird trouser, as long as it’s breathable enough to survive standing for hours, and the Bombay weather. I also tend to experiment more with structure and shape rather than colour- that’s where I find the most delight.
OOP: Between events, community work, and a fast-paced city — what does slowing down look like for you?
Maya: I struggle with rest sometimes, even though I know rushing is a disease. I’m learning different ways to slow down, and my current favourite is spending time with Joe Vessoakar - he’s a fabulous musician who’s currently trying his best to teach me the saxophone.
OOP: As someone who has recently moved to Mumbai, what are your go to spots for hanging out?
Maya: By the sea, as I’ve never really lived by one before. Otherwise, I’m usually in a gully, possibly in chuim or churchgate, staring at old structures, or lingering at my favourite spot in the city: the G5A warehouse.
OOP: What does being at YOUR OWN PACE mean to you?
Maya: Being at my own pace means staying present in the every day, and letting myself be a little infected with the sheer delight of living. There is no clock that is ticking, and no other timeline.
OOP: What’s one misconception people have about working in community or creative spaces that you’d love to change?
Maya: One misconception is that working in creative or community spaces is easy or glamorous. If you’ve had a great time at a program, it’s probably because of hours of unseen labor that made it look effortless.
People also often underestimate how much independent artists and spaces rely on support. Even something as simple as buying a pass for a show can go a long way. There are so many ways to support creative work. Find one that suits you.
OOP: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice about work, creativity, or life, what would it be?
Maya: I’d tell my younger self to stick with it—go all the way. Also: see friends, read, and stop waiting to be who you already are.
Maya styles our Really Wide Pants in Blue Stripes.
Available on the website CLICK HERE.