Now in its second year, the Rainbow Awards for Literature and Journalism continue to honor the contributions of writers who are shaping and expanding narratives around LGBTQIA+ lives. The awards aim not only to foster the growth of this genre but also to recognise the stories that deserve recognition. Here, we take a look at this year’s shortlisted books.
The Yellow Sparrow by Santa Khurai
At seventeen, Santa Khurai began dressing as a woman, openly claiming her feminine identity despite being born male. Her bold decision led to abuse from her father, public ridicule, and frequent beatings by the armed forces in her native Manipur. Yet, she remained undeterred, saying, "I could bear anything, but I could not live like a man." Santa’s life has been a mix of hardship—an abusive marriage, family disownment—and triumph, including adopting a son and gaining international recognition. Through it all, she has stayed true to herself, a beacon of strength and inspiration.
Mental Health Journey: Untold Stories of People from the Northeast of India, edited by Kumam Davidson Singh
The Chinky Homo Project (TCHP) is a digital anthology documenting the LGBTQI experiences of Northeast India. It has built a digital archive, hosted community-building events, and collaborated on art projects like the Pandemic Series and Yes We Exist Campaign. TCHP also runs the Mahei Centre in Moirang, Manipur, a vocational project for queer, trans, and women’s communities. This book compiles TCHP’s work and the editor’s ethnographic and literary contributions, including previous publications like Zubaan’s Homebound Anthology and Routledge’s COVID-19 Assemblages.
The Grammar of My Body by Abhishek Anicca
In The Grammar of My Body, Abhishek Anicca challenges India’s ableist view of disabled people as "inspirational" underdogs. Through candid essays, he shares his lived experiences with disability and chronic illness, exploring topics like care, dignity, desire, self-hatred, chronic pain, and media representation. With raw honesty and vulnerability, Anicca’s informal yet compelling writing pulls readers close to his personal reflections, urging them to confront their own inner experiences.
Cockatoo by Yashraj Goswami
Cockatoo weaves twelve gripping stories of desire and liberation. An unnamed young man seeks escape from his struggles, while Neera, an older woman, reflects on her past after a conversation with a cab driver. Rishabh, an engineering student, faces a life-changing decision spurred by a college debate, and Samar and Angai, two men navigating uncertainty through a dating app, confront their desires. These interconnected narratives dive into the complexities of love, loss, and the human need for freedom, capturing characters at pivotal moments of self-discovery and transformation.
A House of Rain and Snow by Maharghya Chakraborty; Translated by Srijato Bandopodhyay
A House of Rain and Snow follows Pushkar, a young poet caught between his disheartened father and defiant, gifted mother. Amid their crumbling marriage, he finds solace in his secret world of poetry, shared only with Saheli, his school friend and love. As Abhijit pushes him toward publishing, Pushkar's poems inch toward the light. In this magical, unpredictable journey, his only confidant is a milkwood tree, a silent witness to his life’s secrets. Ultimately, the novel explores how love’s transformative power shapes his world and his art.
Mahmud and Ayaz by R. Raj Rao
Mahmud and Ayaz reimagines the legendary love story of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni and his Turkish slave, set in modern Mumbai. The novel follows Mahmud Fakhar, a young Muslim man who has failed his IAS exams and lost his family in the 2015 Hajj stampede. He meets Ayaz, a homeless Hindu boy, whom he hires, converts to Islam, and falls in love with. Together, they embark on a journey of crime, adventure, and self-discovery, traveling from Somnath to Kashmir, while navigating love, loss, and a descent into militancy. With its irreverent humor and bold narrative, R. Raj Rao's novel offers a provocative and unexpected take on love, identity, and rebellion.
Words Platform Desk
Date 06.11.2024