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Queer LitFest, Chennai

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Queer LitFest, Chennai (QLF)
சென்னை குயர் இலக்கிய விழா
GenreLGBT literature
Literary festival
FrequencyAnnually
VenueKavikko Convention Centre
Location(s)Chennai
CountryIndia
Years active2018 – present
Organized byQueer Chennai Chronicles
Websitewww.queerlitfest.com

The Queer LitFest, Chennai (QLF), also known as Chennai Queer LitFest (Tamil: சென்னை குயர் இலக்கிய விழா, Chennai Queer Ilakkiya Vizha) is an annual literary festival which takes place in the Indian city Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The first edition of the Chennai Queer LitFest was organised in July 2018.[1] Kavikko Convention centre serves as the main venue of the festival.[2][3]

The event is organized by Queer Chennai Chronicles, an independent publishing and literary forum based in Chennai,[2] and is the first Queer LitFest India.[4] Chennai based queer activist Moulee is the director and curator of the festival. The 2018 QLF was co-curated by writer and translator LJ Violet along with Moulee.[5][6]

History

The Chennai Queer LitFest was started in 2018 to focus on LGBTQIA+ literature in Tamil and other Indian languages, and to highlight queer identified authors, translators and artists. QLF has hosted participants that include writers, translators and artists of Tamil Nadu, and from Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Mumbai and London.[7][8] QLF has included themes like Queer identities in India, Inclusive children's literature, Art in Queer literature, translations and Queer literature in publishing. The festival is completely organised through crowdfunding.[5][9][10]

Among its participants were South Chennai member of parliament Thamizhachi Thangapandian (2019 edition) who gave the keynote speech; theatre artist and activist Living Smile Vidya(2018 edition), whose note was read as the keynote speech in her absence; documentary film maker and trans activist Priyababu; Kannada writer Vasudhendra.[7][8]

2018

The 2018 Chennai Queer LitFest held on 7th July 2018 is the first literary festival in India that completely focused on queer literature, writers and translators. The Social Justice Pride Flag was released in the 2018 QLF.[10] The first edition of the Chennai Queer LitFest's topics of discussion included LGBT representation in Media moderated by writer and translator Gireesh, Queer Literature in publishing; Vasudhendra of Mohanaswamy fame spoke about Queer Literature in Kannada followed by reading from selected queer literature in Tamil. Along the lines of diversity and marginality of queer lives and their invisibilised narratives, The Chinky Homo Project (Digital and print queer anthology of north east India) was formally launched in the LitFest.[11]

2019

The 2019 Chennai Queer LitFest was held on 14th September 2019. The topics of discussion were on Inclusive Children's Literature by writer Shals Mahajan and educator Salai Selvam. A panel on Art in Queer Literature (Queerness in Art) was moderated by artist Senthil between Community Historian Maari and Illustrator Vai.[2] A conversation on translation was facilitated by writer Nadika with translator V Geetha. London based writer and artist Hari Rajaledchumy spoke about her personal finding of queer literature and Tamil queer literature in general. Malayalam writer Kishor gave a brief snapshot on queer literature in Malayalam. South Chennai Constituency Member of Parliament and poet Dr Thamizhachi Thangapandian delivered the Keynote. The event concluded with an Open Mic session.[5][12]

References

  1. ^ Joseph, Raveena (2018-06-29). "Between the lines at the Queer Chennai Chronicles". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Spotlight on queer literature". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2019-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ 100010509524078 (2018-07-02). "Queer lit fest in city to promote Tamil writing". dtNext.in. Retrieved 2019-12-29. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  4. ^ "INDIA'S FIRST QUEER LITFEST IN CHENNAI PROVIDED A PLATFORM TO QUEER WRITERS AND ARTISTS IN THE MARGINS". Gaylaxy.
  5. ^ a b c 100010509524078 (2019-09-11). "Chennai Queer LitFest to spur conversations on inclusive literature". dtNext.in. Retrieved 2019-12-29. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  6. ^ Jun 28, TNN |; 2018; Ist, 8:35. "Chennai's 1st queer lit fest to focus on Tamil writing | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2019-12-29. {{cite web}}: |last2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b "QCC Queer LitFest 2018 | Speakers". Queer LitFest. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  8. ^ a b "QLF 2019 Speakers | Queer LitFest, Chennai by QCC". Queer LitFest. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  9. ^ "India's First Queer LitFest in Chennai Provided a Platform to Queer Writers and Artists in the Margins". Gaylaxy Magazine. 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2019-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ a b "Inclusive kids' literature to open mic: 2nd Chennai Queer LitFest has a lot in store". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 2019-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "QCC Queer LitFest 2018". Queer LitFest. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  12. ^ "இந்தியாவின் முதல் பால்புதுமையினர் இலக்கியவிழா". கருப்பு (in Tamil). 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2019-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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