Independent journals add unprecedented value to the literary landscape. All genres of original writing — creative non-fiction, short stories, poetry, film analysis, and any other writing under the sun — find a space to belong. These journals act as a platform, not just for all genres of writing, but for writers as well. We, at Platform, hope you find a niche of writing within this list of compiled publications that put forth engaging ideas and creative concepts.
The Remnant Archive
The Remnant Archive is a magazine and community focussed on bridging the gap between art and access. It is based in India but loved all over the world. Touching upon the themes of literature, art and culture, They have built themselves as a platform that shines a light on marginalised writers and artists with a strong rootedness in the culture of the global south. It was established as a platform where one could be true to literature and oneself. They define themselves as a literary space that promotes radical self-acceptance and highlights stories regarding mental health, narrated by underrepresented female voices.
Paper Planes Magazine
Paper Planes, as an organisation, is made up of a group of sub-brands that work in the space of design and creativity. As an eponymous independent media brand, Paper Planes, through its digital publication, social channels and event series’, hones in on India’s design landscape and its effect on our culture and lifestyle. The idea of ‘good design’ is often reserved for fancy homes and architectural marvels, but in fact, its impact is far-reaching. The stories that Paper Planes publish seek to explore the many manners in which design intersects with our everyday lives — with regard to architecture, urban planning and public spaces, visual culture, India’s craft heritage and its future, sustainability and conservation, and beyond. These stories and programmes are produced for anyone interested in these ideas, regardless of a background in the discipline.
Enthu Cutlet Mag
Enthu Cutlet is a bimonthly food magazine that brings you unusual stories about food in India. Filled with thought provoking and amusing food content, they drop a collection of stories every two months up to the brim with a theme explored in a wild, creative way. Some of their past issues include ‘Playing with Fire’, ‘Will Travel for Breakfast’, ‘Growing up in the 80s’ and ‘Curious Season’. The magazine is run by a team parallel to the teams that run The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro, Bombay Sweet Shop and Veronica’s. They also have two columns called enthuGuides and enthuTimepass, both of which provide food related suggestions, to-do lists and dive into evolving food culture and trends.
Cocoa and Jasmine
Cocoa and Jasmine is a thought driver, working in the creative cultural ecosystem led by the founder, Sayali, who is a creative practitioner with expertise in art direction, curation, strategy, research, documentation and publishing. Her inter-connected interests within design and cultural anthropology motivate her to offer unique services to brands and organisations. The process involves exploration and experimentation with the core team along with other experienced practitioners, consultants, entrepreneurs, researchers, and educators. They also publish work found in the intersection between arts, crafts, design and travel, divided into segments of a zine such as interviews, featured editorials, travel and stays, architecture, artists, crafts and culture, and a world museum guide.
Fifty-Two
Fifty-Two is a unique literary publication. They publish an essay each week that dives deep into an aspect of India’s history, politics and culture. Each story acts as a lens, and explains, recalls or establishes something interesting and eye-catching about life in the subcontinent. Some examples of these weekly projects are 'Rice, Fat, Meat, Streets’, ‘Puppies’, ‘Collision’, and ‘Coupling’. They allow you to immerse yourself in captivating tales on a new theme every week, each of which delves into different narratives with in-depth analysis, fostering a thirst for knowledge.
Words Neeraja Srinivasan
Date 20-07-2023