Author: Pawan Dhall | Varta Trust

Pawan Dhall

Pawan Dhall is a Kolkata-based queer activist, archivist, researcher and writer. He was a founding member of Counsel Club, Kolkata (1993-2002), among India’s earliest queer support groups, and edited its house journal 'Pravartak'. He worked with SAATHII from 2002-14 on universal access to health and social justice. He is now associated with Varta Trust as Founding Trustee. His latest publications include 'Queer Potli: Memories, Imaginations and Re-imaginations of Urban Queer Spaces in India' (Queer Ink, 2019) and 'Out of Line and Offline: Queer Mobilizations in ‘90s Eastern India' (Seagull Books, 2020).

Vartanama Jul '23

Tensions of the past and future

By Pawan Dhall
An imperfect digest of ‘Varta’ webzine’s journey through a decade of climaxes, anti-climaxes, and explorations for a social G-spot
Vartanama May '23

Me and myself

By Pawan Dhall
Pawan Dhall still can’t shell out two-minute wisdoms on Instagram Reels. Here’s a two-minute essay instead on clicking an inner selfie
Vartanama Apr '23

All this marriage (equality) talk!

By Pawan Dhall
Pawan Dhall has something to say to argumentative Indians who’ve been bickering over who can have the marriage laddu and who can have only the laddu
Travel Travel, Vartanama Mar '23

Tryst with a forest

By Pawan Dhall
Pawan Dhall on being lost in a forest, whether made of shrubs and trees or ideas and words
Printed Word, Vartanama Feb '23

In search of an ideal world, or at least a better one

By Pawan Dhall
Sharif D. Rangnekar’s new book 'Queersapien' takes you through a self-reflective account across countries, cultures and issues
Vartanama Jan '23

Decriminalized but not destigmatized

By Pawan Dhall
The central government’s discomfort about queerness in the judiciary throws up many more uncomfortable questions
Happenings, Policy Matters Jan '23

Judicial fillip to transgender rights once again

By Pawan Dhall
Calcutta High Court has given the Government of West Bengal a month to clear the long-pending backlog on transgender identity certification in the state
Vartanama Dec '22

When badminton outplaced cricket

By Pawan Dhall
The author recalls winning a cricket match to secure space for playing badminton near his childhood home in Kolkata
Vartanama Nov '22

Setting oneself free, with pride, mindfully

By Pawan Dhall, Souvik Rakshit
Pawan Dhall is back with his monthly ‘Vartanama’ rant – well, not quite monthly any longer as you may notice many other names authoring this column
From the Archives, Vartanama Sep '22

Can a post office be your hero?

By Pawan Dhall
A visit to the Ballygunge Post Office after more than a year reminds the author of his relationship with this ‘heritage site’ for Kolkata and India’s queer movements
Insight, Policy Matters Sep '22

Challenges in meeting queer community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Susanta Pramanik, Jia Mata, Pawan Dhall
Excerpts from an analysis of the role played by community based organizations in working with queer people in India during the COVID-19 crisis and the challenges faced by the organizations
Vartanama Aug '22

On violence, trauma, justice and healing

By Pawan Dhall
What could it be like to burn in hell – for the collective conscience of an entire society?
Creations, Vartanama Jul '22

Varta’s art workshop was fun and thought-provoking

By Pawan Dhall
Highlights from an art workshop organized to celebrate 100 monthly issues of 'Varta' webzine
Vartanama Apr '22

A hundred it is

By Pawan Dhall
Pawan Dhall is happy-tired on the occasion, and invites you to share your feelings and thoughts
Poetry, Vartanama Mar '22

Verse magic on and off paper

By Rajib Chakrabarti, Pawan Dhall
Rajib Chakrabarti’s poetry mingled with summer colours helps Pawan Dhall make the most of his day
Travel Travel, Vartanama Feb '22

Movements that move you

By Pawan Dhall
Pawan Dhall was on the move in Karnataka (and Andhra Pradesh) taking in the sights and foods, both rustic and urban