(via http://www.imaanlibrary.org/photo_5755861.html)

Red Threads by Poulomi Desai and Parminder Sekhon.

This is an insightful photographic book by two very different photographers, Poulomi Desai and Parminder Sekhon, tracing their contrasting portraiture work over the last 20 years.  The images historicise and explore layered and complex issues of sexuality gender race class and identity within a political framework, with essays by Sunil Gupta, Cherry Smyth and Raman Mundair.  Published by Millivres Press, supported by Usurp.

Book available through Desai’s site + events news for her arts collective & gallery in England.

via Mandrika Rupa : Film Maker and Community Worker

Naya Zamana -16mm blown up to 35mm, 1996. Written and directed by Mandrika Rupa

Narrative drama about a working class girl’s silent and sweet rebellion against cultural expectations, resulting in cross gender antics. It has played to over 25 festivals in Europe and the United States. Awards in Italy and Paris.

anuraglahiri:

For those not in the know, there is a new resource available to queer desis at globalqueerdesi.wordpress.com and it is inclusive of queer desis of all south asian origins and all diasporas.  They are looking for contributions and writers!

To contribute info regarding orgs, queer history, coming out, religion, publications, books, films, and any skills or graphic design that may benefit the site… contact them at: advocacy@trikone.org or geita@riseup.net

They are also looking for queer desi writers and activists.  They want writings that “question South Asian norms and gender conformity” as well as writings that address homophobia, family/cultural pressures, and coming out.  They’ve also expressed interest in news/politics/current events pieces, and coverage of events.  If you’re into any of this, drop them a line.

-Anurag

(via jhameia)

God Loves Hair | Vivek Shraya

God Loves Hair is Vivek Shraya‘s first book, a collection of 20 short stories following a tender, intellectual, and curious child as he navigates complex realms of sexuality, gender, racial politics, religion, and belonging.

Told with the poignant insight and honesty that only the voice of a young mind can convey, the stories are accompanied by the award-winning illustrations of Toronto artist Juliana Neufeld.

Or, just read an excerpt at the site.

vivekshraya:

Indian-born Toronto-based alternative rocker Vivek Shraya is in Mumbai for a reading of his just launched book, God Loves Hair. Navigating sexuality, gender, racial politics, religion, he talks about coming out not just as queer, but also as Indian

Read full interview here.

I was looking for a review of the book God Loves Hair by Vivek Shraya, and of course I find his tumblr with Tegan & Sara tour pics instead. Universe is on tumblr!

Can’t see the artists & models names on the calender sorry, but looky.

(Source: pinktacolovers, via ardhra)

A quick chat with Ishita:

What are you doing right now? I am working on circulating a short documentary about racial profiling in the United States that I assisted on. It was produced by Breakthrough, the non-profit media organization that I work for- we produce social issue based media campaigns. We are also working on a global campaign against domestic violence.

via GFEST 2010 Filmmaker Interview: Ishita Srivastava for Gay London Festival « GFEST – Gaywise FESTival : LGBT, Queer

Director of ‘Desi Girls!’ to be screened on 13th Nov during London’s GFEST, Ishita Srivastava.

checkoutrach:

this desi dyke is always looking for ways to disrupt the norm!

thegang:

Chitra Ganesh is an artist working in various media including installation, photography and sculptural work inspired by mythological narratives, present day imperialism and queer politics, old Bollywood images and songs, lyric poetry, and erased moments in South Asian history. (DOPE!)

Ganesh says that much of her visual vocabulary across media engages the term ‘junglee’ (literally ‘of the jungle’, connoting wildness and impropriety), an old colonial Indian idiom (still) used to describe women perceived as defiant or transgressing convention.

The works above [Tales of Amnesia: Godzilla (top) + Ghost (bottom)] are inspired by images from Indian comic books known as Amar Chitra Kathas, which present religious and cultural narratives based in Hindu mythology and South Asian history to a popular audience.

ardhra:

documentary about queer South Asian women in NYC

What role does the South Asian LGBT community in New York City play in the life of ‘A’, who might never tell her family that she is a lesbian? In contrast, what do Priyanka, who lives with her girlfriend and is able to be open about her sexuality, and Ashu, a DJ who runs Sholay productions, a social events group for queer South Asians, gain from being a part of this community? Desigirls follows ‘A’ and Priyanka as they negotiate their diverse and often fraught experiences as gay Indian women in New York.  While ‘A’ is not comfortable with her sexuality, how is it that Priyanka, brought up in India, is? The documentary explores what their varying experiences tell us about the role of minority community groups in a diverse and often fractured immigrant society.