Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: LGBT Literature, Indian Writing, Anthology, Poetry, Fiction

Book Review:
''Yaraana: A Groundbreaking Anthology of Gay Writing from India''

Hoshang Merchant's ''Yaraana: Gay Writing from India'' is a landmark anthology, a unique and courageous exploration of contemporary gay identity in Indian literature. Published at a time when homosexuality was still criminalized in India (Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was only struck down in 2018), this collection was a vital and groundbreaking act of visibility and affirmation.

The anthology brings together a diverse range of voices and genres: stories, poems, plays, and prose extracts from some of India's most significant writers. It includes Ashok Row Kavi's powerful autobiographical piece on growing up gay in Bombay, Vikram Seth's brilliantly etched account of a homosexual relationship from his novel-in-verse The Golden Gate, and Mahesh Dattani's play ''Night Queen,'' one of the first serious attempts to dramatize homosexuality on the Indian stage.

The poetry in the collection is particularly striking. R. Raj Rao's poems, part of a series that formed the basis for the Bollywood film Bomgay, are searing in their intensity. The work of Dinyar Godrej, Adil Jussawalla, and Sultan Padamsee explores the full range of gay experience, from the agony of oppression to the joy of love and connection.

What makes ''Yaraana'' so valuable is its scope. Alongside work written originally in English, the anthology includes translations from Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and other Indian languages. Extracts from well-known writers like Bhupen Khakkar, Kamleshwar, and Vishnu Khandekar provide a rare insight into the lives of homosexual men in India's small towns and villages, far from the metropolitan centers.

The title, ''Yaraana,'' refers to male friendship and bonding, a concept that has deep roots in Indian culture but has often been neglected or suppressed. This collection brings it to the fore, celebrating the beauty and complexity of gay love with wit, passion, and courage.

''Yaraana'' is an essential read for anyone interested in Indian literature, LGBT studies, or the human experience in all its diversity. It is a powerful and moving testament to the lives and loves of gay men in India, and a landmark in the history of Indian publishing. A truly important book.