HistoryExplicit

Queer and (de)colonised

Sharan Dhaliwal

Exploring our LGBTQ+ South Asian histories, in our own way.

With Sharan Dhaliwal and Sabah Choudrey 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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22 episodes
Avg 27 min
English

Episodes 22

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October 9 · 28 min
BONUS: Q&A at Common Press
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this bonus episode, Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) have a Q&A with the amazing audience in Common Press! Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
September 30 · 23 min
DIG IN: The making of Queer and (de)colonised
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) discuss why they started this podcast and what the process has been like for them. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E10
September 25 · 38 min
LIVE! Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju - the lesbian lawyers
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) talk about the amazing lesbian couple who changed the world, starting with decriminalising homosexuality in India: Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju. This episode was live at the Common Press in London! With shout outs to the amazing trans campaigner Alexandra Parmar-Yee. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
September 16 · 22 min
DIG IN: Dissecting masculinity as a default, as a currency and as a trap
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) go IN on masculinity and why it isn't just the default, it also suffers under patriarchy. Sabah discuss Bell Hooks, and Sharan talks about clothing and presenting masc. Get tickets to our live show on the 22 Sep 2027 here: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/39429/queer-and-decolonised-podcast-live Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E9
September 11 · 38 min
Fulgani Pathak - the masc presenting gender-bending singer
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) talk about the badass masc presenting singer with the high pitched voice Fulgani Pathak. With shout outs to the amazing Bishi and Leo Kalyan. Get tickets to our live show on the 22 Sep 2027 here: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/39429/queer-and-decolonised-podcast-live Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
September 9 · 17 min
DIG IN: What's happened to queer South Asian publishing?
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) queer publishing and why we aren't seeing books, articles or magazines by queer South Asians. Get tickets to our live show on the 22 Sep 2027 here: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/39429/queer-and-decolonised-podcast-live Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E8
September 4 · 38 min
Xulhaz Mannan - the founder of Bangaldeshi's first ever LGBTQ+ magazine
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) talk about the heartbreaking and tragic story of the creator of Bangladeshi's first ever LGBTQ+ magazine Roopbaan: Xulhaz Mannan. With shout outs to the amazing Mondro Bangladesh Queer Archive and Gaysi Family. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
September 2 · 20 min
DIG IN: What being 'politically Black' meant then and now
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) discuss the historical roots of the term 'politically Black' and how that sits in our activism today. They also delve into the anti-Blackness prevalent in South Asian communities. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E7
August 28 · 30 min
Sunil Gupta - the gay Indian photographer
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) talk about the iconic gay Indian photographer Sunil Gupta. We look into his start into the creative world, and importantly end on his happy love story. With shout outs to the brilliant Sai (@angryjalebi) and the amazing Alia Romagnoli (@a8lia). Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
August 26 · 20 min
DIG IN: South Asia isn’t just North India
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) discuss South Indian representation, and especially in our queer stories. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E6
August 21 · 31 min
Mohini - the trans Hindu deity
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) talk about the trans icon Mohini from Hindu folklore. Sharan goes deep into the South Indian story of Mohini, and Sabah talks about the transwomen who have changed the world today. With shout outs to the brilliant Shash Appan (@itsshash) and the amazing Nat Raha (@full_nommunism). Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
August 19 · 17 min
DIG IN: Activism and the ego
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) discuss what activism looks like these days and how ego can get in the way. They discuss what the word means to them and Sabah explains why they call themselves a "reluctant activist". Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E5
August 14 · 31 min
Shivananda Khan - a South Asian HIV/AIDS activist
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) discuss legendary Shivananda Khan, who created Shakti, Naz Project, Naz Foundation, and much much more. With shout outs to two queer South Asian activists - Maryam Din, from Gendered Intelligence, Trans Actual, Inclusive Mosque Initiative and Nottingham Green Party. And Norrina Rashid, retired youth worker, co-founder of Colours Youth Network and founder of Bradford BBQ (Black and Brown Queers) and much much more. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
August 12 · 17 min
DIG IN: Should cis straight men tell queer stories?
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, we come back to thoughts we've had since recording our story about Ismat Chugthai, to ask - should cis het people write queer stories? This week, host Sabah Choudrey (they/he) and Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) talk the films they've seen and what it means to have a trans or queer person behind the camera. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E4
August 7 · 40 min
Ismat Chughtai - the queer ally and feminist writer
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) discuss the controversy behind the story Lihaaf, written by Ismat Chughtai. With shout outs to two queer Muslim books: Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H and the BreakBeat Poets Vol 3. Halal If You Hear Me edited by, Fatimah Asghar and Safia Elhillo. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
August 5 · 17 min
DIG IN: Is 'coming out' a Western concept?
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, we come back to thoughts we've had since recording our story about Bhupen Khakhar, to deconstruct how he didn't ever really come out. This week, host Sabah Choudrey (they/he) and Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) talk about whether coming out is a Western concept and how to 'invite in' instead. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E3
July 31 · 43 min
Bhupen Khakhar - the Indian gay pop art painter
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) discuss the life of legendary gay artist Bhupen, from his life as an accountant, to touring the world. With shout outs to two queer artists: Maz Hussain (@girthofvenus) and Soof (@soofiya). Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
July 29 · 15 min
DIG IN: The erasure of lesbians in colonial histories
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this mini-episode, we come back to thoughts we've had since recording our story about Catherine Duleep Singh, to deconstruct it further. This week, host Sabah Choudrey (they/he) and Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) talk about their understanding on how lesbians have been erased, despite their presence and prolific histories. Trans-inclusive lesbians are powerful and beautiful. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
S1 · E2
July 24 · 46 min
Catherine Duleep Singh - the mixed race Indian lesbian princess
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Hosts Sharan Dhaliwal (she/they) and Sabah Choudrey (they/he) talk about the lesbian icon Catherine Duleep Singh, who lived as a princess, fell in love with a woman and then saved multiple Jewish lives from Nazi Germany. With shout outs to the fabulous Ramanique Ahluwalia @ramaniqueahluwalia and the brilliant DJ Ritu @djritu. Tabla performed by Jassa Ahluwalia. Message Sharan and Sabah on their Instagram: @queeranddecolonisedpod or email: sharan.dhaliwal@burntroti.com
July 22 · 17 min
DIG IN: Breaking down trans masculinity with Shikhandi
Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In our first mini-episode, we come back to thoughts we've had since recording our last story, to deconstruct it further. This week, host Sabah Choudrey (they/he) talks about their relationship with masculinity as a trans masc person, and how transfeminine people are globally more visible yet more discriminated against. We highlight trans voices in India: Debbie Das: @debbiedas.d Grace Banu: @gracebanu Rayyan: @rayyanmonkey @againsttransbill @rejecttransbill2026 @yesweexistindia

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