The function of spoken language extends far beyond mere communication—it is an indicator of one’s identity, an instrument of access, and, mostly, a mechanism of establishing authority in a social setting. Our language, accent, dialect, and even grammar influences favourably, and adversely the type of opportunities made available to us, society’s perception of us and our sense of belonging. 

Often, it is the books chosen on a whim that linger with you the longest. That was my experience with Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. It was the bittersweet and painful portrayal of modern, aspirational life that refused to let me leave it unfinished. 

In a world where innovation is the default setting and creativity is currency, artists are voluntarily opting for non-conventional ways of displaying art—digital exhibitions, interactive spaces, self-publishing, Instagram galleries, etc. With this shift towards breaking out of traditional institutions rather than breaking in, creators seem to be finding solace in the autonomy that non-traditional institutions introduce, and the question of where art belongs has never been more relevant.

Feminism, long before the first wave, manifested itself in the small village roads on the banks of the river Chenab. These manifestations continue to resonate through Punjab’s tradition of storytelling, termed Qissas, meaning ‘stories’.