The Queer Chronicle - February 2011

THE QUEER CHRONICLE 2011

FEB

TQC Issue 2 . Volume 6 . India

QUEER AZAADI MUMBAI 2011 & VALENTINE SPECIAL

In this issue

Editorial

TQC Exclusive: The reasons for pride

01

Page 3: Queer Azaadi Mumbai 2011

03

Movies: Beyond Gay ‐ The Politics of Pride

04

Art & Soul

05

TQC Exclusive: City of Singles

06

Mex in the City: The Chase

08

RJ’s Top 10

09

The Indian queer community has never had it better!

Who would have thought, a few years ago, that we would march by the thousands, on the streets of every major metro in this country?

Who would have dreamt that our generation would be spoilt for choice with queer enterprises, book stores,

Leisure: Santé & Bon Appétit

10

Music: And not all that Jazz...

11

The Candy Store

12

Life & Tarot: Predictions for 2011

magazines, bar nights, club nights,

Reflections

holiday packages, film festivals, and so

13 15

much more?

It’s all very exciting; and who can blame us for getting caught up in the moment!

As Martin Luther King Jr so beautifully put it, “I have a dream.” ‐ it is our dream of equal human rights that we so often tend to lose sight of in the midst of a flurry of more ‘fun’ ventures.

We need to strike a balance. We need

TQC. Issue 2. Volume 6. Pune.

to put aside our differences and our

Cover photograph by Zohar. Photograph copyright Z Photography (captureframe@gmail.com).

egos. We need to get off our high

Used with permission of the photographer and the featured models.

horses and stop expecting ‘others’ to

Editor & publisher: Keith | Contributors: Alika, Ambika Rajgopal, Amey Kolhe, Mahesh Natarajan,

facilitate change. The responsibility lies with each of us.

Partha Sarathi Biswas, ‘RJ’, Rohit Pramar, Sagar Dave, Sanket Tandulwadkar, Subodh Bodke, ‘Zephyr Ray’ | Queer Azaadi Mumbai 2011 photographs: Akshay Bajaj & Sunetro Lahiri | Layout concept, design & production: Keith.

We need to work cohesively, as a

TQC (The Queer Chronicle) is a monthly e‐magazine published for and by the queer community in

community, for the betterment of our

India. This e‐zine is a non‐commercial publication, is not for sale and is exclusively for private

community ‐ for our human rights.

Let’s give ourselves something to be really proud about.

distribution. Views expressed are solely the opinions of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial team of TQC, nor its affiliates. The content of this e‐zine may not be suitable for all audiences. The appearance of any person in this ezine, is not to be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons. www.facebook.com/tqc.india, www.planetromeo.com/tqc_india, TheQueerChronicle@gmail.com

The Editor

Please print this ezine only if you have to. Help save our planet.

TQC Exclusive : The Reasons For Pride

TQC - Feb 2011

BY PARTHA SARATHI BISWAS

Photograph by Akshay Bajaj

For young Rohit, participating in the

recollection of the Pride March that I

have become almost a very common

Mumbai Pride March in the year 2008, was a very overwhelming experience. A

have as of today was the instant peace that engulfed me when I saw the crowd

feature in quite a few cities across the country. While some in the community

small town boy, Rohit did have his share

with whom I was to march”, is how

frown upon this ‘aping’ of a Western

of apprehensions and fears before he mustered up the courage to go to the

Rohit explains his first pride experience two years later.

concept, by and large, the LGBT community of the country is slowly

Pride March. “I was afraid that people would recognize me or make fun of me.

Be it the flamboyant drag queens, with their vibrant costumes or the ‘dykes on

waking up to the need and the purpose of Pride as an important milestone in

Although I was out to my family and

bikes’, Gay Pride Marches across the

the LGBT liberation movement in India.

some friends, I still was in the closet, so to speak. Many questions were coursing

world have always been a source of intense debate; be it within the LGBT

It started off in Kolkata in the year 1999, with a Pride March, which took

through my mind, as I went to August Kranti Maidan. Once I reached the

community or society at large.

While, in the West, Pride Marches have

the whole country by storm, and how!

Anindya Hajra, a queer and women’s

venue, it was as if by magic, my fears

become another excuse to party, India

right activist fondly recollects the

and apprehensions vanished. In that sea (it did appear to me like a sea) of

is slowly coming to terms to the greater politics and purpose behind the Pride

impetus that made the Kolkata Queer Community take their march to the

humanity, I felt at home and I was immediately at peace. The only

Marches. Post the historic judgment of the Delhi High Court, gay pride marches

streets. “Pride marches have been the symbol of protest by the marginalized 1

throughout the world. While planning

“I do not care if the concept of Pride is

the Kolkata Pride in the year 1999, we had the dual aspects of protest and

not Indian, but the purpose of Pride is too big to be ignored. And since when

visibility in mind. For most of us,

have we started boycotting any idea, on

marching with the rainbow flag was a big event, which marked a high in our

the basis of its land of origin? If that had been the case, we might as wind

lives. It marked the transition for us, from the comfort of the family closet to

up Big Boss and other reality TV shows.

My logic is simple ‐ if the idea is good,

coming out in the open and asking for

why not adopt it? In today’s world of

our rights. Invariably, the question that many of us had, was its feasibility, the

the global village, this ideological apartheid is both silly and ludicrous.”

need and the logic behind the Pride.

While some of us were apprehensive

The concept of global village in the recent times has become a dominant

about the march and some down right

theme for activist Mario Da Penha,

agnostic. For us, the Pride was a form of legitimate protest that we had to

when he stresses the importance of Pride in unequivocal terms. “The

undertake to ensure, we were not written off the books completely.”

question of whether a city should have a pride or not, is a question that the

For most queer rights activists in India,

city must decide for itself. On a

the last two points are of cardinal importance, which makes them take up

personal level, I think Pride as a concept is a matter of celebration of

the flag and take their march to the streets. Harish Iyer, an organizing

who we are in reality. It gives many of us a chance to come out in the street

committee member of the Mumbai

and celebrate ourselves in the most

Pride scorns on the so called ‘East‐West divide’ when it comes to organizing and

natural way we can,” he explains.

“Pride has the dual importance of

holding the pride. “To begin with, I do not feel any different from the person

celebration and protest at the same time. For those of us, in the LGBT

on the street in anyway. Having said,

community, who do not have the

this, I must insist that however hard we may try to ignore the fact, but there

privilege of straight‐acting, Pride gives them the freedom to be as flamboyant

still remains a lot of prejudice from the mainstream against the sexual minority

as possible. It indeed must be trying to put up an act, to conform to

and Pride is an important milestone is

stereotypes and Pride is the occasion to

trying to reconfirming our rightful space under the sun. When we turn up

let your hair down, in the literal sense.

Thus, the presence of flamboyant drag

in large numbers, to march under the rainbow flag, it gives a sense of sheer

queens is another way of giving those the freedom to revel in their own way

numbers which the mainstream can’t

and I guess it functions as a safety valve

deny or ignore, how ever hard they may try to. It is a message, that yes we

for many. Its this celebration that I find very important for Pride to be

might be a sexual minority, but we are too enormous in numbers to be written

conducted in the Indian cities,” he further adds.

off the books. Also, when they see the

Another aspect which Mario points out

plethora of actors, doctors and other professionals marching with us, in the

to is the element of protest, which often is drowned in myriad images of

long run it creates a dent in their armor of misconceptions about the queer

semi‐naked men and raunchy behavior that prevails in the Pride marches.

community”, he says.

Taking a direct dig at the frowners, Harish retorts (albeit tongue‐in‐cheek) 2

Photograph by Sunetro Lahiri

‐ Continued on Page 4

TQC - Aug Feb 2011 2010

PAGE 3 Queer Azaadi Mumbai (QAM) January 29, 2011. Mumbai Photographs by Akshay Bajaj & Sunetro Lahiri

‐ Continued from Page 2 (The Reasons for Pride) “I have walked in the Pride of New York quite a few times and was surprised to see the broad spectrum of people who walk in it. We have Orthodox Jews,

MOVIE REPORT BY AMEY KOLHE Gay Pride marches and festivals are

Gilbert Baker ‐ creator of the first

happening all over the world ‐ sometimes with heavy opposition and

rainbow flag.

Sao Paulo Pride Parade, Brazil

violence.

VIP access to the world’s largest Gay

Beyond Gay – The Politics of Pride is the most comprehensive look at the role of

Parade where 4 million people take part in their government sponsored

these events ever undertaken. This feature length documentary follows the

Pride: a street party that defies the imagination. Their theme this year:

Vancouver Pride Society’s (VPS) Parade

Homophobia Kills! Then, 7 days later …

Director Ken Coolen and his VPS colleagues as they travel to places

Moscow Pride, Russia Coolen and crew are the only foreigners

where Pride is still steeped in protest to personally experience the rampant

i n v o l v e d i n t h e c l a n d e s t i n e preparations for this event. Secret

homophobia that still exists. They also

meetings, hidden identities, police

travel to Sao Paulo Brazil for the world’s largest gay parade and New York City,

harassment, the first successful peaceful Pride March, and a violent

the birthplace of the modern gay liberation movement.

counter protest reveal just how passionate people can be about a

Increasingly the Pride movement is

parade.

globalizing. Coolen and many Pride organizers in North America and Europe,

Pride Colombo, Sri Lanka Pride events here are only advertised

where celebration has overtaken political action, strive to remind their

after they take place, in order to protect the identities of those brave

communities that Pride is at its heart a

enough to attend. Pride organizer

global fight for human rights.

Despite the hundreds of thousands of

Sahran Abeysundra, later travels to Canada to be a Grand Marshal in

people cheering in the streets, Pride is much, much more than a parade and a

Vancouver’s Parade.

Vancouver Pride, Canada

party. It is a giant step on the road to

“Celebrating 30 Years of the Rainbow”:

true equality. The GLBT community during Pride is an entertaining and

Back in Vancouver, where equal marriage is legal and the parade

engaging multi ethnic group than can bring attention to the issue of human

entertains half a million people, Ken struggles to make the parade have

rights with diversity, insight, and of

some meaning after all he has seen.

course plenty of fabulousness. Some highlights include:

Through Ken we discover that despite thousands of people cheering in the

InterPride 2007, Zurich Switzerland Coolen and co‐parade director, Dean

streets, Pride is much, much more than a parade and a party. It’s a giant step on

Nelson, attend this international

the road to true human equality.

conference of Pride organizations. Many human rights activists are interviewed, including American artist and activist 4

‘Beyond Gay – The Politics of Pride’ was screened at Queering Saturdays, organized by Open Space. (www.openspaceindia.org) TQC

Churches, support groups, walking side by side, with the more flamboyant crowd and their reason is simple ‐ h o m o p h o b i a o r a n y f o r m o f discrimination based on sexual preference is an infringement of human rights and that has to stop. However, the main stream media, often chooses to ignore this cardinal message and focuses on highlighting the nudity and other elements of the Pride, “ he sighs.

For photographer par excellence, Sunil Gupta, it is time that the Pride Marches take a step forward and ask for more rights. “When we had the first Pride in Delhi, it was like any other civil society protesting against the injustices meted out to them. Then we had the exuberance of the Naz Foundation case being heard in the Delhi High Court, and we wanted to protest as a civil society. So, our march ended at Jantar Mantar. We need to now start asking for more legal changes with these Prides. We have to press for legislative changes, which will give us the same rights as heterosexual partners, through our Pride Marches now. It’s a welcome move that with in a short span of time we are having pride marches in Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai, but I think we need to now formulate the policy of m a k i n g t h e s e m o r e v o c a l a n d vociferous. The time is ripe and we must act fast,” he states.

For our very own Pune, the queer community is literally counting the days, when this city will have its own Pride. Says Aniket,"Pune is in for some good times and going by the success of the QFest, I will not be surprised if we manage to have a Pride soon. We have kept our fingers crossed but I hope that it happens soon." Amen to that. TQC

Art & Soul

TQC - Feb 2011

COMPILED BY KEITH

TQC is committed to encouraging and promoting the creativity of queer & queer-friendly talent. As part of the India Pride season, TQC is proud to showcase Pride Art by Rohit Pramar.

Upper: "Culture" ; Lower: “The good prevails" These artworks are not for sale, however in case you would like to commission an artwork by this artist, please write to us at TheQueerChronicle@gmail.com

Rohit Pramar

5

TQC Exclusive: City Of Singles

BY SAGAR DAVE

“You know you're in love when you don't

acknowledge it. Valentine’s Day is often

Akash Singh, 28, an IT Professional

want to fall asleep because reality is

the most dreaded day of the year for a

when asked what his plans are for

finally better than your dreams.”

single man. For a man living in the city,

Valentine’s Day says, “It’s good to

‐ Dr. Seuss

love is a difficult thing to pursue yet

spend it with someone special but then

If you Google “love” you are going to

easy to drown in. With the ease of

this day is more about people you love

get more than a billion hits, each one

finding a date, there is always a risk of

to o, w h i c h m o st p e o p l e d o n ' t

literally shouting out about how lovely

losing one just as easily. The city is such

understand. We should wish our

love is and how amazing it is to be in

a place and it plays mind games too, as

parents, friends, anyone we love. It’s

your lover’s caring arms. Love is

long as you’re a pawn in it.

not just about being with your

something that each of secretly desires

If you are the kind who is a sucker for

Boyfriend.” Akash further adds,

and yet we find it difficult to express

love then you are in for a reality check

“Usually I'm at the office so I don’t

There are those who wear their hearts

on Valentine’s Day! ‘Oh god! Another

really have time to celebrate it”. Akash

on their sleeve, while others simply

Valentine’s Day and I am single!’, ‘14th

is trying to see this day in a broader

refuse to accept that they are struck by

Feb...why is it even celebrated?’. These

sense and has convinced himself that

the Cupid. But love as we know it is a

are the thoughts that run through a

it’s nothing more than a day to show all

tricky thing. Like a sweet smelling rose,

single’s mind; some might feel lonely

the people you love, how special they

one wrong move can result in a nasty

while others simply despise it.

are.

prick.

I caught up with some very eligible

Arun Mirchandani, the author of the

14th February is a date that we all know

singles in the city to find out what

book ‘You are not alone’ says, “I am

very well. Some make a big deal of it

Valentine’s Day means to them.

single this year too and have never

w h i l e o t h e r s s i m p l y r e f u s e t o 6

been in a relationship long enough to

celebrate or mourn over Valentine’s Ameya, 31, an architect on the other Day!” He believes that Valentine’s Day hand thinks Valentine’s Day is just is great for people who are in love but another marketing gimmick. He says, sucks for those who aren’t. He is not “The first thought that occurs to me is ‘I averse to celebrating it, though. He hope no one asks me out’. I find the says, “You have Mother’s Day, Father’s whole idea of Valentine’s Day, Day, Children’s day, Friendship Day ... So extremely cheesy.” Ameya isn’t against Valentine’s Day? Why not?”. When the idea of celebrating love in all its asked about how he feels being single, diverse forms yet feels one doesn’t Arun confesses, “Response from the need a particular day to show it. To exterior ‐ Great, I love being single; him, “Valentine’s is a number. A Day. Response from the interior ‐ Sucks!” Being single on Valentine’s is just like Arun is a true believer in love and being single on any other day of the thinks it’s inevitable and will happen year. A day is only as important as you someday. Meanwhile for this year, it’s make it to be.” When asked about what his TV and a bag of chips!

he plans to on this Valentine’s Day, he

Dalip, 55 has a different take on raises an eyebrow, “Really? Do you Valentine’s Day. The first thought that think I’d plan something? I don’t think it comes to him is, “Oh God! The saffron is important. May be a Hollywood Rom‐ brigade is going to be at it again, Com!” Ameya believes that he doesn’t bucking their ‘uninhibited’ hips in

need a day to celebrate love, he could

public, creating an unsavory spectacle do it with anyone on any day he wants of themselves ‐ being a nuisance to all.” to. Not averse to the idea of love, he On a lighter note he talks of Valentine’s says, “It happens right when you stop Day “Cute! Cupid has sexy buns! But I looking for it.” Ameya thinks it’s a am no crib snatcher.” Having seen many personal decision and says he will cross Valentine’s Days, when asked about his the bridge when he comes to it. take on love, he replies, “Encyclopedic! From worshippers, to semi believers, to In a phrase – be honest about it, with it, cynics, the city is satiated with in it; in a sentence – without love life is opinionated singles. However, like it or a drab.” Dalip adds, “Being single is not, all of us crave love and as we know sublime! Like with everything else in life love is only love, when it is given away.

– there are moments of hardship and So what if you spent another New Year pain too in being single. Being single is tucked in your bed alone or another not the same as being ‘alone’. That’s an Valentine’s Day sitting at your favorite altogether different ‘ball game’. Finally bistro, sipping mocha or for that sake to the toughest question of the lot he any other day! replies, “This Valentine’s I plan to buy What matters is the possibility of this myself a rose; give myself a well‐

being the last of its kind. Valentine’s

needed hug and a kiss; and as the night will come and it will pass. But when you

TQC - Feb 2011

begins to whisper sweet nothings do meet the man of your dreams the around a flickering candle flame... wait will be totally worth it because slowly undress and take me to bed... that moment onwards each day will be Any Cupid out there cares to frolic with Valentine’s Day for you. me on that night?”

TQC Source: PlanetRomeo

7

Mex In The City: The Chase

BY ALIKA

Photograph: Alika

8

I sit waiting at a café, starving. I’ve now

the caliber of men. Nor does it have to

dude ples.” Delete. “pure top. i have

been sitting there for 30 minutes.

do with the lack of gay‐friendly clubs,

place. plz revert. fat.” Block. “hi.”

Finally, I lose my patience and place an

bars, lounges, restaurants, etc. The

Hello? “send ur no.” Ignore. “want

order with the waiter. My dinner

aspect of this scene that disappoints

sex.” Ugh!

arrives, and finally so does my date. He

me the most is, quite frankly, the chase.

Online dating, especially in the gay

sits there quietly, lacking anything

The chase: I spot him at a club—he

scene, is often sex‐driven regardless of

interesting to say. I ask him if he is going

smiles. As I dance with friends, he

which continent I happen to inhabit.

to order anything. No. How about a

coolly winds his way through the crowd

The major difference between here and

drink? Not even that. I sit there,

in the darkened venue. Packed in the

t h e r e i s t h a t w i t h s u c h f e w

awkwardly eating my platter as he sits

club, he gently yet assertively touches

opportunities to meet in person by

there. Silence. So, what do you do?

my waist, passing by as if going to the

happenstance, PlanetRomeo is it. The

Engineer. Where are you from? Delhi. I

bar. A couple drinks later, I find him

only way for me to have the remote

finish my dinner and he states: Let’s go

dancing behind me. With the dance

possibility of meeting someone who is

back to your place.

floor at capacity, his back is now up

worth the chase is by searching on the

I’d like to say that I just describe a bad

against mine. He turns around—and

other end of the LCD screen. Yet, when

date that I recently experienced.

we’re dancing. His face inches from

the date materializes, it will most likely

Unfortunately, it has been a string of

mine. We kiss. Exchange numbers.

be a dud.

bad dates, all with the same semblance

I arrive at the dimly lit lounge in the

On Valentine’s Day, I will be back in NYC

of annoyance and boredom.

gayborhood. As I enter, I scan the

for a short visit. I have already started

For Christmas, I went home to

room. There he is, poised with an air of

flipping through my modern‐day

California. Sitting in a posh lounge in

confidence suited in his trendy attire,

Rolodex (a.k.a. Facebook), searching for

Los Angeles, an acquaintance who I had

calmly fingering his full chilled martini

past Casanovas who will surely deliver

met a year earlier in Palm Springs

glass as it starts to slowly sweat. He is

an evening that will quench my thirst

learned that I had moved to India.

the handsome guy from the previous

for ‘the chase.’

“What!? How did I not know that?

night. I sit down, order a drink, and the

And, maybe upon my return, I’ll meet

Where do you live?” Pune. “Where is

night ensues with intellectually

s u c h a n i n d i v i d u a l h e r e , w h o

that?” Near to Bombay. Then he

stimulating conversation.

understands the fine balance between

paused, with almost a sad look of

This chase is what I miss most. Instead,

a p p e a r i n g b o t h e a g e r a n d

horror: “What’s the dating scene like?”

I have PlanetRomeo: “im 19 male pune

disinterested, excited yet composed,

My biggest complaint about the gay

wanna have a good male and

and most of all: gentlemanly sexual.

scene in Pune has nothing to do with

passionate and hot experience with a

TQC

RJ’s Top 10 “Valentine’s Day is round the corner and many people I know, are dying to fast‐forward to the 14th of February so that they can show their loved ones how much they love them…

But there are people (including me) who are still single (and not ready to mingle) and they find it difficult to deal with all the hullabaloo about Valentine’s Day. So to make sure that you don’t end up being bored out of your mind, when your friends talk about their Valentine escapades, here’s my list of what you can do on Valentine’s Day if you are single!” ‐ RJ

on’t s first…D g in h t t s Fir …!!! and pout e m o h t stay a

Organize a ‘Singles Party’ at your home and bitch about couples that are about to part ways…(It’s soooo much fun…lol)

Go to a spa… pamper yourself…a lways remember th e best way to please your self is to pamper you rself…!!!

Valentine’s Day is all about sharing love… an orphanage or elderly home has lot to accommodate …!!!

D o your DV t d e k o o h Get atch your player…w ovies in favorite m t on’t forge d ( … n io t a continu orn) ck of popc o t s a p e e to k

in Book a table for yourself a famous restaurant…eat like a royal, sitting single on a single table…much to the envy of the couples around…

Sleep…..zzzzzzzzzzz zzzzz….nothing can beat a peaceful

TQC - Feb 2011

snooze…!!!

Get laid…!!! s (Only finding life partner is difficult… finding sex dates is not…)

Phone your frien ds whom you haven’t spok en to in a while, like schoo l friends… the best day to fe el nostalgic about school days …(I’m darn sure you’ll love it)

this… g n i ead da are r u o o fin t e t If y n’t le ’s tim t o i , w e I oz dud …bec nto r e n me i e c part r fo g listin ditor E e e m h a t es !! ng th i t i ell…! r w w s a year next

9

And Bon Appétit

Santé

BY CHEF SUBODH BODKE

PINK CRUSH

Presenting some delectables for that special ‘dinner-for-two’ on Valentine’s night

Ingredients 10 fl.oz. coconut flavored rum 6 fl.oz. pineapple juice 16 fl.oz. strawberry‐flavored soda Method Pour the rum and pineapple juice into a cocktail mixing cup and stir to combine.

Gently pour the strawberry soda into the mixture, pouring down the side of the mixing cup to prevent the soda from going flat.

Slowly tilt the mixing cup back and forth a few times to mix. Pour into cocktail glasses and serve immediately.

Va le nt in e Pi zz a Ingredients 3 cups bread flour 0.25 oz. envelope active dry yea

st

1¼ cups warm water 3 tablespoons extra virgin oliv e oil 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosema

ry

14 oz. can pizza sauce 3 cups shredded mozzarella

cheese

2 ripe tomatoes, sliced

Preheat the oven to 200 deg C.

1 zucchini, sliced 15 slices pepperoni 2.25 oz. can sliced black olives Method Place bread flour, yeast, water and 2 tablespoons olive oil into the brea d machine pan. When the dough mixed, knead rosemary into the dough.

Bananas

dough into three portions. Sha

piece into a heart shape about

Divide the

pe each

thick. Brush with remaining oliv

spread a thin layer of pizza sau

½ inch

e oil, and ce on each

pizza. Sprinkle cheese over pizz a sauce, and arrange tomatoes, zucchin i, pepperoni and sliced olives.

Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes , or until the cheese has melted and the crust has browned.

Fo s t e r

Ingredients

ons butter

2 tablespo

sugar ons brown 3 tablespo innamon n ground c ⅛ teaspoo 1 banana ice on lemon ju 1 tablespo ¼ cup rum a liqueur ons banan 2 tablespo Method

in a edium heat, tter over m u b e th n lt e M nd cinnamo r in sugar a ti S t. e ill sk small re bubbles. til the mixtu and heat un nana. Place arter the ba u q d n a e l e e P on juice in th es and lem c ie p a n a re n ba tes mo , 3 to 4 minu k o o c d n a t skille h syrup. basting wit

10 20

at rum and led pan, he d n a -h g n lo In a eat until just r medium h ve o r u e u lly liq banana pour carefu lcohol and a e th e it n warm. Ig nana slices. over the ba heat and et from the ill sk e th ve ices with Remo e banana sl th e st a b to wn. continue mes die do until the fla e c u sa ir e th oons, of . With two sp e c n o t a e Serv course! :)

And Not All That Jazz ...

BY AMBIKA RAJGOPAL

A column that features music and artists; in definitely not ‘run-of-the-mill’ genres!

QUEEN

GOD HELP THE GIRL

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Borrowing heavily from different genres of music,

This indie pop band was the brainchild of Belle and

“The Divine Comedy is Neil Hannon,” claims the band’s

Queen ushered in an era of musical inclusion. Their

Sebastian’s front man Stuart Murdoch. Coupled with the

official website. The silvertongued front man founded the

musical style was an

euphonic talent of Catherine

orchestral pop band in 1989

amalgamation of progressive rock, hard rock, glam rock as

Ireton, Brittany Stallings and Dina Bankole and many other

and has since been the force behind the band, through its

well as less conventional styles like that of opera, gospel and

female vocalists, God Help The Girl began its musical journey

two decade long tenure.

Dressed in dapper suits and

folk.

towards a classic pop rock

backed by a full-fledged

Freddie Mercury’s songwriting skills coupled with his knack of

tribute.

What culminated through this

orchestra, Hannon’s quirky and self-ironic style earned him a

magnetizing the audience made him the undisputed god

collaboration was a 60′s-70′s

name internationally, especially in France.

of rock and roll. His ability to

style is reminiscent of the celluloid and stage musical

modulate his voice pitch from bass to falsetto has made him one of the most versatile rock stars to ever grace the musical arena.

Many modern day musicians have paid tribute to Queen and cited them as their musical influence.

girl group spectacular. The

tradition. It is Catherine Ireton’s rich full-bodied voice that blows life into the music.

God Help The Girl is the perfect accompaniment to a relaxed lazy day, when one is in the mood to travel back to a time of silver screen razzmatazz.

The mellow reposeful style is often contradicted by cynical lyrics dripping with a biting droll. The delightfully eloquent Neil Hannon spins poetry and weaves strings of harmony. The Divine Comedy makes for easy listening. Its easy to become enthralled by the tuneful compositions and dry witty

TQC - Feb 2011

lyrics.

www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ

www.youtube.com/ watch?v=LdEzt3YR8C4

www.youtube.com/watch? v=DXP1oLtPyDA 11

The Candy Store

BY SANKET TANDULWADKAR I still vividly recall my first conversation on the

I could totally relate the warm fuzzy feeling to my

subject ‐ GAY, from the days when I was in high

past relationships with my (now ex) girlfriends.

school. Not that I was shocked. It just felt a little

Thinking back to the times spent with girls, I began

awkward.

to question my sexual inclinations: bisexual,

Imagining two girls ‘together’ was indeed a

homosexual or heterosexual?

pleasure, as it is for most straight men. However,

Even today I don’t fully understand the role of

the thought of two men engaging in coitus was

sexual orientation in choosing sexual partners. Is it

inconceivable (pun unintended), as I had been part

driven by dictionary meanings or the society’s

of a community with slightly orthodox ideologies.

outlook?

It was when I got talking to this guy, a fashionista

The feeling of being with a girl has never made me

of sorts, that I pictured what the other playing field

feel any less important, neither was I ever

would be like. It was an unfamiliar conversation

confused or unhappy.

which definitely ignited the curiosity to know more

With Kunal however, there always was a free mind

within me.

and we lived in the ‘now’. This was something I

Though he was open about his sexual orientation,

never had experienced with the girls I had dated.

there was no way I would walk up to him and strike

It was not the physical intimacy that generated

up a conversation.

strong feelings about him, but the sole reason that

Was it because I was scared; or was it because I

he understood me better than most of my other

didn’t want my peers to view it in any other

friends, something one presumably longs for and

context? Answering that question isn’t really

looks for in his partner.

difficult. Though I wish that things had happened

Bisexuals are sometimes mistaken as the confused

in a different way.

lot. Everyone is born bisexual. It’s only a few, who

Back in 2006 when I moved to Pune, I was very

try to figure out which side they would want to bat

much into the ‘fairer sex’ and I did have my share

for eventually.

of fun with the ladies. To be honest, the idea of

Bisexuality is not a confused state of mind but the

being with a guy had never crossed my mind ‐ till

state of enjoying the company of the person you

then.

are with, regardless of the gender.

Days after entering into my junior year, I finally

Quoting one of my close friends, “I am a blessed

spoke to him, Kunal. And it didn’t really feel any

bisexual. I have no issues sampling candy from the

different. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I

other store. It gives me an idea whether what I get

certainly had no feelings of aversion or anything

here is better than that at the other store. And as

towards him.

long as it is, I don’t have to worry about what it

As days passed by, I discovered that he too liked

costs me”

‘house’ music, Chinese food and artsy movies.

I couldn’t agree more.

One night, lying in my bed, giggling when I recalled the stupid jokes that Kunal had cracked, I asked myself ‘Is this because I like the guy?’

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TQC

Life & Tarot

TQC - Feb 2011

BY ZEPHYR RAY

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Card for 2011 – 2 of Swords: Stuckness.

Card for 2011 – The World: Completion

C a rd fo r 2 0 1 1 – T h e C h a r i o t :

The more you strive, the harder it gets.

of an important cycle. The start of

Movement, Accomplishment.

Key lesson for 2011 – Knight Of Wands:

something fresh and new.

Key lesson for 2011 – Strength:

Anger and frustration will only

Key Lesson for 2011 – 7 of Swords:

Courage. Stand your ground in all

complicate matters.

Caution in action, speech and thought.

matters of importance.

Career: A year of taking one step ahead

Career: An important project may be

Career: Major career shifts are

and two back…or so it may seem. Plan

completed. A feeling of consolidation

possible. A long‐standing goal could be

ahead, cultivate patience, let go of

and fulfillment. Make sure you have all

accomplished.

feelings of frustration.

bases covered before you make the

Money and investments: Good year to

Money and investments: Money may

next move.

buy a new car.

get stuck in projects. Make sure you

Money and investments: Double‐check

Health and happiness: Hyper‐activity

have a small kitty saved up so you don’t

the credentials of that financial

indicated by the cards. Take care to get

feel the pinch.

planner!

plenty of fresh air, rest and nutritious

Health and happiness: Don’t fight what

Health and happiness: A great year to

food.

is beyond your control. Acceptance is

start meditation or some spiritual

Romance and leisure: Those in long‐

the key. Develop a zen‐like outlook to

practice. For those already doing

distance relationships may feel a bit

life’s situations.

Sadhana, an year of important and

isolated or neglected by partners. Make

Romance and leisure: If things seem

genuine accomplishments.

your feelings known to tide over minor

like they’ve slowed down with a loved

Romance and leisure: Take that foreign

bumps in the road.

one, it could simply mean you’re

vacation you’ve always dreamed of!

Good months: June, July.

getting comfortable…not a bad thing at

Give sparingly of your trust in matters

all!

of the heart.

Good months: September, October.

Good months: All of 2011 (lucky you!)

13

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Card for 2011 – 9 of Swords: Stop

Card for 2011 – 9 of Cups: Wish‐

Card for 2011 – 6 of Wands: Success in

worrying so much!

fulfillment!

material matters.

Key lesson for 2011 – 4 of Pentacles:

Key lesson for 2011 – Page of Wands:

Key lesson for 2011 – 5 of Cups: Tough

Time to take stock of life and realize

Nascent creativity needs nurturing and

lessons about love and relationships.

that you’re in a good place after all!

encouragement.

Career: Fruitful and rewarding work will

Career: Sleepless nights, loads of work

Career: Ask for whatever you think is

be accomplished.

with the chance to earn loads of

d u e t o y o u … m o r e m o n e y , a

Money and investments: Follow your

rewards and recognition.

promotion…you’ll get it!

head and use your common sense.

Money and investments: No need to

Money and investments: Keep an eye

Some older investments could yield

be a miser. Enjoy your money, you’ve

on expenses, especially the credit card

results.

earned it!

charges.

Health and happiness: Let the bottle

Health and happiness: Digestive

Health and happiness: Plenty of

be a casual acquaintance, not a

problems indicated, so eat loads of

chances to eat, drink, make merry

constant companion!

fiber and keep your system hydrated.

equals acidity. Moderation needs to be

Romance and leisure: “Heartbreak

Romance and leisure: Be generous and

exercised.

Hotel” could well become your theme

giving with your partner. A time to give

Romance and leisure: The man of your

for the year. Stop playing the victim and

and not just expect to receive.

dreams will come a‐knocking!

turn it into “I Will Survive”.

Good months: April, May.

Good month: March.

Good month: August.

villa queenie, ground floor 16th road, bandra (west) mumbai, india

TQC

REFLECTIONS HAIKU

By Mahesh Nataranjan, Author - Pink Sheep

Somewhere a leaky pipe Cries calling for repairs.

If only tears came easy.

Such clear insights In imagined conversations.

I'd rather we spoke.

All that is will pass.

And new memories made By remembering.

Photograph by Akshay Bajaj

TQC - Feb 2011

CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND CRAFTS B/6 Mantri Manor, Lane 5, Koregaon Park, Pune, INDIA

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