BLOG: The Usawa Newsletter

Usawa is a highly welcome addition to the online literary landscape—especially so at a time when a disheartening number of online magazines have been downing their shutters. The magazine’s title clear-sightedly sets out its purpose and ethos, and its contents fulfil its promise abundantly. Curated with taste and discernment, Usawa, despite being just 10 issues into its journey, already hosts writing from some of India’s best contemporary writers, and its themed issues are a special delight, housing troves of thought, analysis and first-rate writing. It looks all set to be a pivotal and vibrant figure on the literary scene, and has my very best wishes for enduring success.

Reading Usawa has always been an eye opener for me. The writings explore a range of works from gender, power dynamics, and the varied experiences of women in our society. It is so remarkable to come across such a great body of work that highlights women's experiences, perspectives, and struggles and helps spark discussions for the need to change. Also, examining how different marginalized identities intersect, you start developing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of oppression in our society today. I highly recommend reading it, even a few articles, for anyone interested in understanding and challenging societal norms, contributing to broader conversations about and embracing the diversity of human experience.

As a young, queer Indian woman—it’s been such a blessing to have come across the lovely and relevant Usawa magazine. Not only does the zine make an immensely valuable addition to the poetry, art and culture scene in India, but also gives a platform to such interesting, daring and exciting work. It has been nothing short of joyous to explore the many feminisms of this literary oasis—I hope you will take the time to dive in, too!