Commentary, Insight Jan '23
Being queer – the key or the cage?
By Tanya Kole, Kaushik Gupta
Tanya Kole elaborates on the ‘queer conundrum’ as it relates to day-to-day life
'Varta' Webzine
Bioscope of your intimate dreams!
Happenings, Policy Matters Jan '23Judicial 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 '22When 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
Clickhappy! Dec '22Kolkata pride walk through the eyes of a first-timer
By Swati Das
Swati Das shares her excitement of walking in a queer pride march for the very first time
Insight Dec '22Well-being through a queer affirmative lens (part 2)
By Srabasti Majumdar
Srabasti Majumdar explains how queer affirmative therapy takes into account the inter-dependence between mind and body in ensuring well-being for queer people
Vartanama Nov '22Setting 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
Insight Nov '22Well-being through a queer affirmative lens (part 1)
By Srabasti Majumdar
Srabasti Majumdar dwells on what queer affirmative therapy means and its significance for the well-being of queer people
Printed Word Nov '22Ins and outs of a queer memoir
By Jia Mata
Jia Mata reviews Jaydip Jana’s debut book ‘Amar Bhitor Bahire’, a new addition to contemporary queer literature in Bengali
Trans identities lost in a bureaucratic haze
By Debjyoti Ghosh
Why does West Bengal have such a poor rate of transgender identity certification? Debjyoti Ghosh raises pertinent questions
Advice - Rights and Laws Oct '22Clearing the mist on banking and insurance nomination rules
By Kaushik Gupta
Queer individuals in India can designate their partners or friends as nominees and successors for their bank accounts and insurance policies. Kaushik Gupta elaborates
From the Archives, Vartanama Sep '22Can 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 '22Challenges 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 '22On 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?
Happenings, Insight Aug '22Words and art from the heart
By Swati Das
A round-up of events organized to mark 100 monthly issues of ‘Varta’ webzine by Swati Das
Thought for Food Aug '22Where ‘adda’ and photography keep the tea pot boiling
By Jia Mata
Jia Mata recommends some 'cha', 'chhobi' and 'charcha' at café Zoom Tea-O-Graphy, which is bubbling with possibilities in its third year
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