Queer LitFest, Chennai

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]

Queer LitFest, Chennai (QLF)
சென்னை குயர் இலக்கிய விழா
StatusActive
GenreLGBT literature
Literary festival
Date(s)7th July 2018
14th September 2019
FrequencyAnnually
VenueKavikko Convention Centre
Location(s)Chennai
CountryIndia
Years active2018 – present
Inaugurated7th July 2018
FounderMoulee
Organized byQueer Chennai Chronicles
SponsorCrowdfunding
Websitewww.queerlitfest.com
India's first queer literature festival

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][5]

History

The festival began as the brain child of Chennai-based queer activist Moulee, who thought there was a need for a wider discussion on queer literature in India that would bring queer writers, translators and allies together.[6][7][8] Moulee is also the director and curator of the festival. The 2018 QLF was co-curated by writer and translator LJ Violet along with Moulee.[8][9] 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.[10][11] 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.[8][12][13]

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.[13] 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 was formally launched in the LitFest.[14] The keynote speech of theatre artist and activist Living Smile Vidya (2018 edition) was read on stage in her absence.[15]

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.[8][16]

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. "Spotlight on queer literature". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  3. 100010509524078 (2018-07-02). "Queer lit fest in city to promote Tamil writing". dtNext.in. Retrieved 2019-12-29.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. "INDIA'S FIRST QUEER LITFEST IN CHENNAI PROVIDED A PLATFORM TO QUEER WRITERS AND ARTISTS IN THE MARGINS". Gaylaxy.
  5. மௌலி,பணியாளர் நலன் ஆலோசகர் | ஃ பீனிக்ஸ் மனிதர்கள், retrieved 2019-12-30
  6. Queer LitFest (2018) | Moulee, Gireesh LS speech, retrieved 2019-12-29
  7. [Intro] | வரவேற்புரை, மௌலி & கிரீஷ் - சென்னை குயர் இலக்கிய விழா 2019 | QLF 2019, retrieved 2019-12-29
  8. 100010509524078 (2019-09-11). "Chennai Queer LitFest to spur conversations on inclusive literature". dtNext.in. Retrieved 2019-12-29.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. 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.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. "QCC Queer LitFest 2018 | Speakers". Queer LitFest. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  11. "QLF 2019 Speakers | Queer LitFest, Chennai by QCC". Queer LitFest. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  12. "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.
  13. "Inclusive kids' literature to open mic: 2nd Chennai Queer LitFest has a lot in store". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  14. "QCC Queer LitFest 2018". Queer LitFest. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  15. Queer Lit Fest (2018) | Keynote : Living Smile Vidya | Read by Shilpa, retrieved 2019-12-29
  16. "இந்தியாவின் முதல் பால்புதுமையினர் இலக்கியவிழா". கருப்பு (in Tamil). 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
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