A little late to this, but FirstPost.com’s coverage of the Jaipur Literature Festival included this little gem:
Hoshang Merchant, India’s first gay poet, says he liked being noticed as a gay writer since its difficult to be noticed. Now however, he says that it is a straitjacket. The conversation moves on to Vikram Seth, where R Raj Rao says Seth compromised for mainstream acceptance so as not to be stuck with the label of a gay writer.
Hoshang merchant says gender is genre. Gays should not write straight books like vikram seth . He is arch enemy in my camp. Genres are foisted on the author.
I’ve not read Hoshang Merchant and have not read any of his work. I have read Seth however. Everything he’s written. But this isn’t a review of Hosang’s work vs. Seth’s. As we celebrate Pride Week, I wonder what are we fighting for? Are we all fighting for the same rights? If yes, should one of us limit ourselves to writing only queer themes? This was recently brought up on Gaysi by a reader who says,
I thought it was nice that this blog is restricted to only LGBT-related content because there are few desi blogs dedicated to this subject. There are lots of places for people to read about recipes, general books etc. but few places that are dedicated platforms for desi LGBTs.
I believe that queer people of any race and any origin should be able to write about whatever the fuck they want. If my language is strong, it is because I feel passionately so about this subject. I am also slightly incensed Hosang calls Seth a sell out, though not in as many words. If we are fighting for acceptance, if we are fighting for unity and equal rights and opportunities, how dare we limit ourselves and our imagination. Why shouldn’t we write straight love stories? Why shouldn’t straight people write a queer crime story? I find it deplorable that Hosang expects Vikram to be a poster boy for gay literature and proceeds to undermine him for being anything less. This is reminiscent of second wave feminism when women who didn’t join the bra-burning, men-bashing brigade were considered stupid and treacherous. Since I wasn’t at JLT myself and must rely on this report, I must add this clause… if Hosang does indeed consider Seth the ‘arch enemy’ in his camp, I do worry what camp he belongs to and how big it is.
I’ve heard Hoshang say this earlier as well. At the LitFest Mumbai. I think this is his personal opinion, and needs some respect, considering that it comes from someone who does not want special status because he’s gay, but wants to be recognized as a literary person, along with his gay identity.
Hoshang has been one of the earliest literary persons in India to come out, stick with the label ‘gay’ for the last 30 odd years, and deal with enough criticism, although his profession – that of an English Professor, deals not only with the LGBT community.
There is serious contention amongst a certain ‘camp’ of people who believe that Queerty ought to be expressed blatantly, or without any masks, be it in writing, real life, or even art. Vikram Seth might not belong to that camp, for fear of losing popularity, but there’s nothing wrong in this being pointed out.
There was huge criticism of Dostana as a movie, when it stereotyped gay men as effeminate. Nobody cared two hoots about it. Until movies like “I AM” or “My Brother Nikhil” were made, or even “I can’t even think straight” was screened to show gay and lesbian characters, who don’t fit cliches.
Time we saw some new Queer writing from authors, taking some inspiration from Shyam Selvadurai or Ifti Nasim, who didn’t have to cover their identity, whilst writing Queer stuff.
I am of the opinion that one should be able to create an identity they are most comfortable with. I know there are people who wear their ‘Queerty’ on their sleeve. To them, their queerty overshadows every other aspect of their personality. The “I’m gay first, everything else later”. There are people who’s queerty is a part of their identity like everything else. “I am an animal-loving, voracious-reader, who loves horror movies and Italian food. I am queer too”.
If Seth does not feel the need to proclaim his gayness and wear the label like a trophy, that’s his personal choice and he shouldn’t feel obliged to carry the mantle for gay literature. I think it’s unfair to say that Seth’s popularity is tied to his sexuality. It undermines the quality of his work. SeanePanjab who attended the JLF also reported Hosang as saying that straight people shouldn’t write gay literature. Why the heck not? Is queer lit the exclusive preserve of queer people? Next we’ll hear, queer people should only read queer lit and watch queer porn.
I am uncomfortable with this divisiveness in art forms which are meant to be fluid, beautiful and bridging connections.
I am also unhappy that queer people should expect everyone to wear their queerness like dazzling crowns (instead of sexy lingerie). 😉
Arre baba. Sometimes we oughtta take queens like Hoshang with a pinch of salt and sugar – he is dramatic and vociferous, hence the overtones.
He’s made a point though – When do we start writing queer novels and start reading them as ‘regular, maninstream’ novels, if queer writers themselves disown the gaydom? Get me?
He’s not dictating anything. Only expressing his strong beliefs with spice, smoke and color.
Oh, and btw – this should have been an opinion piece. (note – tag)
Maybe I love Seth too much and am not seeing this objectively. But Srini, do you feel that Seth’s disowned his gaydom?
As for getting queer lit to go mainstream, I hope we don’t need a queer chetan bhagat to make that happen. More desi Stephen Frys are welcome.
I have heard Hoshang Merchant speak at a couple of Queer reading/Lit fest, and needless to say the man is smart and quirky at the same time.
However I too find his comment that “Queer authors should stick to Queer genre and Straight authors should stay out” a little discomforting. I mean here we are asking for equality for all, and on the other hand being conditional and creating more divides.
As TC mentioned, an author should be given the freedom to write whatever is within their comfort zone or interest. For some being Queer is a lifestyle but there are other for whom it is simply a part of who they are.
Seth wrote a book (who cares about the intentions behind it)…many loved it irrespective of their gender/sexuality. In fact I know some gays who found Queer references even in his so called “straight” commercial sell outs.
On the other hand the very first Queer book I read has been written by a straight author – “A Married Woman” by Manju Kapur. There are no cliches here, just ground realities of a middle-class married woman falling in love with another woman.
If I as a reader have the right to chose what I read…similarly an author has the right to write as per his/her pleasings. Period.
“Gender is genre.” “Straight people shouldn’t write gay literature.” “Gays shouldn’t write straight books.” To go out on a public platform and take such a controversial stand is quite something. So I’m left wondering if the man had solid reasons for saying whatever he did and nobody had enough patience or tolerance to find out where he’s coming from. I’m curious. Did anybody find out his reasons for saying the things he did?
Take Hoshang with a pinch of salt, tamarind, pepper and sugar. He’s a Drama Queen and how.
I’d still reserve comments here – ‘cos he’s entitled to his ‘orthodox’ viewpoints too.
Ppl said shit abt Arundhati Roy when she spoke abt Kashmir. But it’s ok, just a viewpoint, nobody’s converting/forcing anyone here.
And, Hoshang ain’t the Queer Censor Board of India !