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In the dynamic year of 2022-2023, Vannam has been at the forefront of organizing diverse and impactful events that celebrate the rich spectrum of the queer community. Our commitment to fostering inclusivity, creativity, and solidarity has driven us to put together a series of memorable events that have left a lasting impact.
In collaboration with the Raahat Project, Vannam organized a panel discussion on queer youth mental health with activist and mental health Professional Raj Mariwala & writer and public health expert, Chapal Mehra on 17th September, 2022 in IIT Madras campus. Many issues of relevance related to mental health were discussed, stressing on the increased challenges faced by queer individuals. Following the discussion, we had a Q&A session with the guests.
To watch the panel discussion: Youtube Link
On 14th October 2022, Vannam organized an online interactive session with Youtuber and influencer Prarthana Prasad (Shorthairedbrownqueer). Prarthana talked about the topic of being queer in a college environment and shared her experiences as a queer student in college as well as an active member in the cyberspace. To watch the talk: YouTube link
Vannam, in collaboration with the Raahat Project, organized an interactive session with renowned photographer, author, and activist Sunil Gupta. The session held in the Central Lecture Theatre on 4th April 2023, was moderated by public health specialist and commentator Chapal Mehra. The session discussed topics of art and its role in the queer movement, mental health, and Sunil Gupta's extensive body of work.
To watch the talk: YouTube link
Mental Health Panel Discussion
Vanavil 2023
Vāṉavil 2023 was the first queer fest to be held in IIT Madras. This was a three day fest spanning February 3-5, 2023. The fest was sponsored by P&G India in collaboration with The Raahat Project. This event saw a masterclass, two talks, three panel discussions, two workshops, a documentary screening, an art gallery in collaboration with the Fine Arts Club, IIT Madras and a writing competition in collaboration with the Writing Club, IIT Madras over the three days at IC&SR, IIT Madras.
DAY 1
1. Masterclass with Mr Vijay Sitlani
Vannam along with P&G India hosted a masterclass by Out-Leader, Vijay Sitlani, Vice President, Finance – Europe Commercial Operations, P&G. Vijay talked about inclusivity in the industrial space.
To watch the session: YouTube link
DAY 1
2. Inaugural Talk by Madhavi Menon: The Trouble with Pronouns
In the Inaugural Lecture of Vāṉavil , Renowned Academic and Writer, Madhavi Menon talked about relation between gender and pronoun in English. She explored the absence of grammatical gender (Farsi) or the rerouting of gender away from pronouns (Punjabi) in their Sufi poetry. She highlighted the core idea of what happens to gender in the face of desire. She addressed how English too could complicate the relationship between gender, desire, and language at times. The essay challenged colonial-era ideas about gender and language prevalent to date and extends certain insights into the queer theory.
To watch the talk: YouTube link
DAY 2
1.Talk by Ruth Vanita: Same-Sex Unions and Marriage
On the second day of Vāṉavil , Vannam hosted a talk by renowned Academic and Writer, Ruth Vanitha. Ruth Vanita talked about the same-sex marriages and joint suicides of young, low income, non-English speaking couples (predominantly women); from 1980 to the present. She intended to explore some of the religious, literary, legal background for same-sex unions in Indian history.
To watch the talk: YouTube link
DAY 2
2.Interactive session/Panel discussion: Inclusion at Workplace: Change begins at home
Vannam along with P&G India organised an interactive session with the leaders from P&G, Shubhrangshu Dutta (he/him), a Plant Head, Hyderabad Manufacturing Site in P&g India, Sanika Gokhale (she/her), a Director, Human Resources, Indian Talent Management & Asia, Middle East and Africa Equality and Inclusion in P&G India and Aakanksha Sharme (she/her), a Manager, Purchases at P&G India, giving an insight into how P&G India is Leading with Love, adopting an always-on proactive approach.
DAY 2
3. Workshop: Towards Sensitisation
Vannam in collaboration with the Raahat Project conducted a workshop aimed at promoting sensitisation among the campus community about the Queer community and their matters.
DAY 2
4. Panel discussion: Queer Mental Health in the Health Spaces
Vannam in collaboration with the Raahat Project and P&G India hosted a panel discussion on Queer Mental Health in the Health Spaces. The panellists, Anindya Hajra (a transfeminist, transgender rights and social justice activist ), Chapal Mehra (Independent Advocate, Public Health Specialist and Commentator), Sunil Menon (Founder of Sahodaran), Ramakrishnan L (Public Health Professional), and Fred Rogers (Counsellor) engaged in an absorbing discussion followed by a open-discussion with the audience.
DAY
2 & 3
5. Art Exhibition: Vizhi Vazhi
Vannam in association with the Fine Arts Club of IIT Madras organised an art gallery and displayed the artwork of students part of the Fine Arts Club and Rumi Harish in the Exhibition Hall, IC&SR. The art exhibition, Vizhi Vazhi, stood out among all the events it garnered much traction from the crowd.
DAY 3
1. Workshop: Self-care
Vannam in collaboration with The Raahat Project organised a workshop on self-care. A diverse set of students partook in the workshop to learn about the basic tenets of self-care.
DAY 3
2. Panel discussion: Queer Arts in the Indian Context
Art plays an integral role in forming and shaping the cultural spaces of the community. Queer art is a space of exploration as well as identity formation of the queer community. On the third day of Vāṉavil, Vannam hosted a panel discussion on How the queer arts are taking shape in the Indian context?
The panellists took part of the discussion are:
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Niladri R. Chatterjee is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Kalyani in West Bengal. His areas of interests include Masculinity Studies and Queer Studies.
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Rumi Harish is a musician, amateur painter, poet and a Human Rights and Social Justice activist.
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Harish Subramanian works with an Arts and Culture organisation as a program coordinator. He has his roots in photography, writing and editing, stagecraft, ideation, event and Festival ideation and management.
To watch the panel discussion: YouTube link
DAY 3
3. Documentary screening: Queering the Pitch: Life and Times of Saleem Kidwai
Vannam in collaboration with The Raahat Project screened a documentary, Queering the Pitch: Life and Times of Saleem Kidwai, and the screening was followed by a lively discussion among the organisers, attendees and the speakers.
DAY 3
4. Screening of the film, Potrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) followed by a discussion:
Vannam hosted a screening of the movie, Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) at RJN 101, 6:30 pm on 28th February. This period film portrays queer love and the female gaze in a stunning tale garnering broad critical acclaim. The screening was followed by an insightful discussion where the audience were free to put forward their thoughts and ideas about the film.
