CATEGORIES
Reinventing G20
India has set the bar high for G20. But will decisions taken at the summit be translated meaningfully on the ground?
Electoral Dividends?
Modi has successfully furthered his cult by the diplomatic engagements surrounding this summit. But there are limitations
Measuring Poverty
A process for gauging poverty in India covering select dimensions has been institutionalised, but many are critical of this approach
Your Legend, My JM
The love and compassion one encountered in poet Jayanta Mahapatra's company are legendary. The luminary who passed away last month has left behind the undying zeal for life
NRI market for Indian properties becomes positive
Recent expert surveys indicate a remarkable growth in demand from non-resident Indians in the country's residential real estate.
Breathe the Poetic Breeze of Bombay
Reading verses of poets who trained the lens on erstwhile Bombay during poetry walks provides a new dimension to understanding their work
Trans Lore In Scriptures
The mention of trans-people in various mythologies is proof that ancient people had a refined understanding of gender and sexuality
"A writer needs solitude, you need to be by yourself"
To commemorate Ruskin Bond's 89th birthday this year, Puffin culled 25 of the choicest nature stories by him in a beautifully illustrated collection. These stories on life amidst nature capture the magical imaginings of childhood. Books dedicated to Bond were also published by Aleph Book Company and HarperCollins India this year. India's beloved writer spoke to Arun A K
Ducati Multistrada V4S: Kind, Ferocious, Fabulous
It was always expected that the eventual meeting of the brilliant Ducati V4 engine with the Multistrada would be special. A week with the Multistrada V4S proved that thought to be an understatement
Deras and Dalits of Punjab
One of the most talked about deras in recent times has been the Dera Sacha Sauda of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is convicted in multiple rape and murder cases
NO Truce IN SIGHT
Over 50,000 people have been displaced since May 3 due to the ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo communities. Still, there is little hope for reconciliation
Illiberal Education
The recent resignation of an economist from Ashoka University following the political backlash to his research paper on manipulation in the 2019 elections raises crucial questions about the state of higher education
Unleashing Queer Possibilities
The inability to listen, internalise and empathise marks many Indian movies on marginalised characters and themes Rituparno Ghosh's Chitrangada is different-because Ghosh was different
My Identity is Not a Hurdle
From dancing in hidden corners to avoid snide comments to performing on stage in front of thousands of people, transgender Bharatnatyam dancer Narthaki Nataraj's journey is one full of resilience. Hailing from a small village in Tamil Nadu, Nataraj's passion for dance was ignited early on. Alongside her closest ally, Shakthi, a transwoman, she overcame societal neglect and together they pursued their shared dream of training in Bharatnatyam. Nataraj's performances have gained international acclaim, and she has been bestowed with several awards and honours for her contributions to dance and her role in breaking down gender barriers. She spoke to Anisha Reddy about her journey so far.
Brave New Rhythm
Padma Award winner Manjamma Jogathi vows that it is her art that has taken her all the way from a remote village in Karnataka to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Fair Portrayal Matters
Who gets to play trans roles? And who decides the norms of representation?
Trans Inclusion...Served Hot and Fresh
Spaces like Bambai Nazariya in Mumbai and Pride Café in Bengaluru are providing employment opportunities to transgenders to smash stereotypes
An Uphill Battle
Transgender persons continue to face hurdles in gaining access to inheritance, adoption rights family pension and important legal documents
Transcending Barriers
Transgender people are fighting hard and patiently waiting for their chance to contest elections or get government jobs
The Trans Lens
While films about transgender lives are garnering audiences, queer and transgender filmmakers and thespians weigh in on why representation may not always mean inclusion
Gender TROUBLE
If cis-gender actors can play transgenders on screen, why can't it be the other way round?
The Trauma of Erasure
Acts of gendered people are harming and punishing the existence of sexual minorities
Lives on the Fringes
Despite a few refreshing narratives, most of Indian mainstream cinema still struggles to portray transgender people with all their human complexities and contradictions
Too Loud A Clap
Taali is too much exterior, very little inward looking, too much tell, very little show
The Invisibility Cloak
\"My eyes are always hungry. They look at your face and move down and we long for that complete body. It is a strong urge to be a woman and to look better than any woman. We want to be mothers, too. That is an inherent part of being a woman\"- Gauri Sawant to me in an interview in 2012 for 'The Eunuch Mothers' that appeared in Open magazine
Laws That Target Minorities
The Narendra Modi-led government has enacted many laws that systematically discriminate against Muslims
The People Behind The Scenes
Who Are These People? by Leena Nandan, IAS officer and secretary in the environment ministry, is a thriller set in the backdrop of terror activities, garnished with stories of civil servants and their lives
The Fog Of Wordplay
Hijab, azaan, jihadi, anti-national, terrorist, mullah, miya-the meaning of these terms are blurred on purpose by many political leaders and Right-wing groups. They use it as a strategy to serve their own agendas, target religious minorities and stoke communal passions
Navigating Lives, Negotiating Desires
Patna Pride Parade took place last month. Many moving and inspiring queer life stories were shared at the event
Caste and Crime
The government's role in ensuring the safety and dignity of people from marginalised communities like Musahars is paramount in a caste-ridden society like Bihar