Queerness and Storytelling in India

Queerness and Storytelling in India

Rajorshi Das

Episodes 42
Avg. Duration 53m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (1)
Since Mar 2022
Latest Episode May 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Format
Episodic
Hosting
feeds.redcircle.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

This podcast hosts writers, readers, artists, and activists who listen to, read, or document "queer" stories and their afterlives. This space hopes to hold conversations that question what queerness in India feels, looks, and sounds like. It may push Indian writers and publishers, especially upper-caste Hindus to check their cultural and social capital and interrogate the Indian dominance in South Asia and studies on South Asia. It is an attempt to share joy or discomfort, suspicion, or solidarity, or just gossip and flirt. Though this podcast is an extension of my research interests, it is neither funded by my current institution nor meant to be an academic engagement as such. As a curator who is upper-caste, I hope to work harder to not replicate Savarna ways of producing knowledge. I also recognize the labor of sharing stories and intend to compensate some guests, either with honoraria or by other means, depending on what they may desire.

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

Episode 41 with writer Adnan Shaikh

May 27, 2026 59m

I had interviewed Adnan Shaikh in October 2025 to discuss their approaches to storytelling and representation. Adnan's writing has appeared on many platforms, including Kazim Ali's edited…

Episode 40 with veteran activist Raina Roy

Nov 02, 2025 47m

In this episode, Raina Roy reflects on the genealogy of queer/trans activism in Kolkata, tracing back to kothi gatherings at Rabindra Sarobar Lake. She emphasises that academics must cultivate…

Episode 39 with student activist Mohammad Aamir Khan

Sep 23, 2025 56m

In this episode, Aamir reflects on his experiences of belonging and unbelonging in both India and Taiwan. He highlights Taiwan's apolitical approach to higher education and queer rights despite being…

Episode 38 with academic Nishant Upadhyay

Sep 16, 2025 1h 11m

In this episode, Nishant Upadhyay discusses their book, Indians on Indian Lands: Intersections of Race, Caste, and Indigeneity. They explain the use of the term "Indian" in the title and the…

Episode 37 with academic activist Niharika Banerjea

Feb 05, 2025 49m

In this interview, recorded in August 2024, Niharika Banerjea, Professor at OP Jindal Law School, discusses how she navigates collaborations with activists and academics. We discuss how bureaucracy…

Episode 36 with scholar and writer, Snehashish Das

Sep 22, 2024 1h 1m

Snehashish Das offers a critique of Western universalism and asks "us" to consider why we want to fit Indian icons like Bhimrao Ambedkar and Savitribai Phule into Western categories. They discuss the…

Episode 35 with publisher, editor and writer, Arpita Das

Jul 14, 2024 1h 46m

Arpita Das, the founder of Yoda Press shares what it means to start and sustain an independent publishing house in India. She discusses her collaborations with fellow publishers in Pakistan and…

S2E1 Episode 34 with writer and journalist Yashica Dutt

May 24, 2024 1h 10m

In this interview which was recorded in January 2024, the author of Coming Out as Dalit: A Memoir discusses the concept of "coming out," its genealogies and expectations. We revisit the controversy…

S1E33 Episode 33 with professor of English, Niladri R. Chatterjee

Dec 30, 2023 41m

In this interview, Dr Chatterjee shares why he decided to translate Krishnogopal Mallick's work. The book, Entering the Maze: Queer Fiction of Krishnagopal Mallick opens us to questions about age,…

Episode 32 with activist, organizer and educator সুমি দাস (Summi Dass)

Nov 28, 2023 41m

In this episode, activist, educator, and organizer Summi Dass shared how she started the Moitrisanjog Society, Cooch Behar, and collaborated with donors and academics. We also discussed the…

Episode 31 with Associate Professor of Literary Art, Anita E. Cherian

Aug 31, 2023 48m

Performance Studies scholar, Dr Cherian discusses the limits of subversion in Indian classical dance. She revisits her article on Narthaki Nataraj and Kalakrishna, and explains the political…

Episode 30 with activist and organizer অরি রায় চৌধুরী (Ari Roy Chowdhuri)

Aug 01, 2023 31m

In this episode, Ari explains why she wants to make a documentary on the trans and queer community in the Nadia district which is located at the India-Bangladesh border. The link to the fundraiser…

Episode 29 with lawyer and bioethicist Rohin Bhatt

Jul 06, 2023 53m

Queer rights activist Rohin Bhatt has been at the forefront of the struggle for marriage equality in the Supreme Court of India. We discuss the legality of the matter and the arguments from the…

Episode 28 with publisher Dibyajyoti Sarma

Jun 20, 2023 1h 11m

In my first-ever interview with a publisher, Sarma, the founder of Red River gives me an insider's account of what small-scale and independent publishing looks like in India. He discusses the joys…

Episode 27 with artist Jyoti Singh

Apr 18, 2023 47m

"Candles are my claim, hula hoop, my release"Known for her handmade aromatic candles, Jyoti Singh shares what it means to tell a story with wax and dry flowers. This story is also informed by her…

Episode 26 with poet and teacher Debolina Dey

Mar 04, 2023 1h 6m

Dey shares their standpoint on queer politics and why "queer" as an adjective matters more to them. We speak about poetry, queer pedagogy, intimacy, and identity politics. Dey also reflects on…

S1 Episode 25 with feminist Minakshi Sanyal (Malobika di)

Feb 03, 2023 1h 31m

I spoke to Minakshi Sanyal aka Malobikadi about her co-edited anthology, Monologue: Lesbian Narrative of Bangladesh and West Bengal, and her journey in relation to Sappho for Equality. We reflect on…

Episode 24 with poet and researcher Anil Pradhan

Jan 09, 2023 1h 5m

In his interview which was conducted in October 2022, Pradhan shares how he negotiates different places of belonging and what that means for his queerness in a globalized world. We discuss his…

Episode 23 with writer and gender rights activist Santa Khurai

Nov 16, 2022 53m

Santa Khurai who is a Manipuri indigenous Nupi Maanbi shares her insights on the challenges of doing activism in the region. She takes a strong stand against racism and colonialism which impacts how…

Episode 22 with transgender rights activist & digital content creator Rachana Mudraboyina

Nov 03, 2022 1h

Mudraboyina, the co-founder of Telangana Hijra Transgender Intersex Samiti and TransVision discusses how religion can be a site of negotiation for trans people. She explains what respect means for…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Queerness and Storytelling in India have?

Queerness and Storytelling in India has published 42 episodes since March 2022, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is Queerness and Storytelling in India still active?

Queerness and Storytelling in India is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 53m.

How do I contact Queerness and Storytelling in India for sponsorship or guest appearances?

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