Orinam’s Quilt meeting Dec 30, 2012

Orinam’s Quilt, the reading group of Orinam,  will meet at Zha Cafe, Adyar, on Sunday, Dec 30, 2012, at 4 pm. Bring your favorite queer-themed fiction/non-fiction/poem and share with the group. If you are on Facebook, you many confirm your attendance on the event page.

Background:  ‘Quilt’ is both an acronym for Queer(ing) Literature, and a reference to Ismat Chughtai’s short story Lihaaf (the Quilt) which was published in 1941, considered a milestone in queer writing from the sub-continent.

Quilt is an addition to other existing queer literary efforts in Chennai, such as the LGBT writing workshop series led by Vanavil Foundation.

Some of the discussion points from the inaugural meeting OQ held in T Nagar on Saturday, December 1, 2012 are:

• Apart from reading work from anthologies (both Indian and international) and other published work, we would also like to be able to share our own work (fiction, non-fiction, poetry) in the group.
• In addition to clearly LGBT work, we could also look at mainstream literature with a queer lens
• It is not limited to English-language literature: work in other languages is welcome
• Besides literature, we could also consider other media such as film
• Volunteers will compile a catalogue of available literature and post it on the Orinam website.
• We should include readings of the classics in LGBT literature.

If you are not part of the Orinam/MP mailing list and would like to be part of the reading group, you may check out announcements on the Facebook page or leave a message for us.

Apart from the reading group, Orinam has also launched a writing group for those of us wishing to write for the mainstream media. This group is being mentored by senior journalists Mark Gevisser and Vikram. Let us know if you are interested in being part of the writing group.