SAFFRON Issue 1

staff editor-in-chief Jayashree Ganesan creative concept director Yousuf Khan creative design director Kaushik Kalidindi managing editor Anna Ranabijuli modeling director Neha Kondaveeti assistant modeling director Vani Shah styling director Yousuf Khan assistant styling director Reethika Kalidindi assistant styling director Avani Sunkireddy photography director Kaushik Kalidindi assistant photo director Shreya Ayelasomayajula co-hair and makeup director Riya Mandalapu co-hair and makeup director Mariam Ali writing director Safa Michigan multmedia director Riya Varadhachary co-logistics director Vaishnavi Anna co-logistics director Riya Mandalapu co-logistics director Safa Michigan social media director Anna Ranabijuli

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Aarushi Panjwani, Alisha Gupta, Angeli Adhikari, Angeline Ajit, Anirudh Karunakaran, Anita Shiva, Arushi Mathavan, Aryan Jain, Ashley T Lee, Avha Mohanty, Awanee A Gaspar, Ayush Bhalavat, Claire Keegan, Divya Konkimalla, Divya Nagarajan, Divya Nitin, Esha Bajaj, Ezzah Rafique, Felicity Hung, Hannan Abdikadir, Harsha Ketavarapu, Isha Manjunath, Ishani Purohit, Ishita Ahuja, Jaycee Jamison, Kameel Karim, Kani Manickavasakam, Khushi Puri, Kunika Trehan, Kushal Vajrala, Laurence NguyenThai, Maha Qadri, Manalie S Barot, Amanda Piamonte, Maryam Khan, Mateo Ontiveros, Maya Patel, Neha Kamble, Nidhi Chanchlani, Nikki Shah, Noura Abdi, Olivia Ceaser, Ohm Patel, Pavitra Kumar, Payson Kelley, Pranav Myana, Raaga Srimadh Bhagavatam, Raahim Owais, Rachel E Karls, Rahul Nanduri, Riya Patel, Rohan Khanijow, Rusama Islam, Sadhvika Challa, Saira Fatima, Saira Iqbal, Sakshee Jain, Sanjana Pinapala, Shezan Samanani, Shikha Annem, Shivani Purohit, Shreshta Ranganathan, Shreya Komire, Shreya Yemme, Shriya Telakalapalli, Siddhant Patel, Sonali Menon, Sonia Pokhrel, Tamanna Sonthalia, Tanya Shiramagond, Tara Vathul, Tasmuna Omar, Tim Chacko, Tisha Shrestha, Zak Kadir

from the editor

It goes without saying that this issue is a child. Sharing what has been etching marks on the recesses of my mind for so long to the world is daunting, but nevertheless moving to me. The infancy of this issue means that it was cared for with soft hands and a vulnerable mind. Eyes closed, unbeknownst of its own true form, and all the while loved, it grew. Developed from the callouses of an unrelenting staff, SAFFRON walks its first steps with arms all around her to catch her through her trials.

This issue is a celebration of what can be done when non-Western creatives take a seat at the table. It is speculative, otherworldly, and scrappy all the same. It explores what it means to uplift cultures that don’t speak for very long in Western spaces without co-optation. Creating it was a whirlwind, and at times seemed futile, but never hopeless. Our issue, inspired by surrealism, mimicked its nature to create something unnerving, juxtaposing Western creation, and oddly beautiful in its own right. Decorating a surreal landscape with strong voices and dreamlike visuals was an out-of-body experience that could not have been facilitated by any other medium.

But, above all, I am eternally grateful to those who have been there for me through this journey of development. To my director team, you believed that a girl does not cry wolf and birthed something materialized from sand. To my family and friends who didn’t entirely understand what I was doing, but gave me an avenue for my thoughts adorned with strings of lights, thank you for seeing in the dark. And lastly, to the wonderful staff that took change in stride and questioned our process time and time again, I thank you for your steadfastness and kindness.

Taking ownership of art is not easy, and you gave me the chance to experiment without judgment.

So as you read these pieces and imbibe the art before you, know that it was made with more than just love, but also from an intense need to fill a vacancy that existed in editorial media – a fervor that lied covertly before but ached to be seen.

With My Whole Heart,

Jaya

Editor-in-chief

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contents

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Pookal Boundless Excavation Dazed Emanation Reconciled Misfortunes The Unseen Gluttony

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The Imaginary Lores of Lure Divine Love Origins of Evil Will-o’-the-wisp Behind The Turtle’s Tale

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January 2023