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Queering India

Same-Sex Love and Eroticism in Indian Culture and Society

Ruth Vanita editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:16th Nov '01

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Queering India cover

This insightful collection explores the nuances of same-sex love in India, offering a fresh perspective on Queering India and its cultural implications.

The book Queering India delves into the complexities of same-sex love and eroticism within the context of Indian culture and society. Through a collection of essays, it explores the often overlooked aspects of gay and lesbian life across various historical periods, including pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial India. This comprehensive examination aims to shed light on a subject that has been marginalized in both academic discourse and public consciousness.

The essays featured in Queering India cover a diverse range of topics, from the impact of film and literature to the influence of historical and religious texts. Notable discussions include Deepa Mehta's film, Fire, which sparked conversations about lesbian relationships in India, as well as an analysis of the Indian penal code that criminalizes homosexual acts. The collection also addresses contemporary issues, such as homophobic fiction, homoerotic advertising, and the representation of lesbian subtext in Hindu scripture.

By presenting original essays from various contributors, Queering India aims to transform our understanding of India and the broader implications of gay and lesbian life and sexuality worldwide. This book not only highlights the rich tapestry of same-sex love in India but also encourages readers to reconsider their perceptions of sexuality in a global context.

" Queering India provides a fascinating, livley, and historically grounded discussionof the impact of same-sex love on Indian culture. Spanning a range of disciplines, these essays shatter the myth that homosexuality is a Western or Northern experience. This is an excellent collection"
--Urvashi Vaid, co-editor of CreatingChange: Public Policy, Sexuality, and Civil Rights."
"Ruth Vanita's wonderful project bears fruit. She has assembled a superb collection of essays that establish the queerness of desis, the sexual struggle of Indian history. Queering India will annoy the despots, but forces of desire do not give in without a few good books."
--Vijay Prashad, author of The Karma of BrownFolk."
""Queering India" offers exactly what the best scholarship is supposed to. The book contains an impressive variety of ways to view a vast array of experiences, expressions, and perspectives on the lives of a complex and diverse part of the world. This collection will undermine any shallow assumptions or stereotypes one might hold about sexuality, gender, and daily life in South Asia"
--Siva Vaidhyanathan, author of Copyrights andCopywrongs: The Rise of Intellectual Property and How itThreatens Creativity."

  • Short-listed for Lambda Literary Awards (Studies) 2002

ISBN: 9780415929509

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 490g

264 pages