Georgina Maddox
Not all magazines want to be on the stands; in fact, word of mouth is often better
It took a while before Art India became a widely circulated art magazine. In fact, there was even talk of it shutting down, the reason being the cost to print and the circulation were not seeing eye-to-eye. Now with the art market booming, the magazine has increased its readership and although it talks to specialists in art, it's still the most widely circulated art magazine across the country. Art & Deal is new on the scene and is a more market driven magazine.
Running an underground queer 'zine' like Scripts (Rs 50), has often meant taking the hat around to get the next issue out, especially after the editorial team upped the value of production and went from hand-stapled Xeroxed papers to coloured glossy cover and professionally bound pages. "Scripts started out as something in house, as we, LABIA (Lesbians and Bisexuals in Action, then Stree Sangam), just wanted to see our lives and realities reflected in print. We did not want to compromise on what we wrote about, which is often what happens to queer alternative material when trying to market it. Now that we want to increase our out reach we have difficulty in finding stores or venues where they will allow us to display and sell our 'mamazines'," says Shalmoli Mukherjee.
In Plainspeak is another magazine to come out with a tri-monthly issue on sexuality in south and South-East Asia, this magazine showcases art by the likes of Tejal Shah, carries film reviews on queer themed films, poetry and scholastic articles on sexuality and gender. The publication is supported by TARSHI (Talking about Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues) a Delhi based NGO. "In Plainspeak reaches out to queer people in India, Thailand, the Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, creating a platform for people to speak about issues of sexuality, sexual health and wellbeing," says Radhika Chandiramani, its editor.
Mindfields (Rs 50 per copy), a magazine that approaches ideas and concepts from the World of Education (seen as boring, or complex and esoteric by most), breaks down the jargon and presents matter in a way that is irreverent, approachable, and informed. Marketing the magazine is done through word of mouth, Facebook and a homepage on the Internet. The magazine is jointly edited by Luke Haokip and Amruta Patil, whose graphic novel Kari is currently hot property on the stands. 'Umbilical' is the art and graphic section of Mindfields that takes care of illustrations, layout and even a comic strip, started by Patil that deals with issues of education and environment. "The magazine is unadulterated joy and a labour of love," says Patil of the five issue-old magazine.
She's right, these indie magazines are kept alive by a result of active passion and a handful of interested, curious readers, making room for more publications.
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