October 2022

Fictional Arts·Literature

Silence of Crows

A black line of clouds expands upwards above the trees. I watch in confusion. Your boots crumble honeycomb-cracks stepping across the yard towards me. Your frown deepens, battered hat in hand. My smile falters. The stifling heat. On a day like this

by Marilyn Humbert

Shotgun Smoke

She has been living one foot in the Pacific Ocean, the other dipping a curious toe in the Andaman Sea. Who is she? Wild flower flourishing in the hothouse till she grows tall as a poppy queuing for the guillotine. Still,

by Paris Rosemont

Fictional Arts·Literature

I’m PMSing !!

A baby when she wants As evil when she haunts Sometimes Jolly, sometimes Bossy She is the one and only Artsy-Topsy At times as wild as a hungry Raccoon Very soon as mild as the silent Moon Her nails are clean, but

by Pretty Maggam

Fictional Arts·Literature

The Amsterdam App

“ We shall meet again…… by the gates of the Villa of Peace, ‘’ Vidya who was researching in Leiden University had scribbled in my notebook, as I was about to return home to India. It was my second visit to Leiden.

by Umar Nizarudeen

Politics & Culture

Gangubai Kathiawadi and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Grand Spectacle of Sex-Work

If films were only to be judged by the storyline that they trail then, Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest ‘spectacle drama’ would appear nothing short of heroic and avant-garde, even feminist. However, films, as students of literature are

by Sonali Pattnaik

Politics & Culture

Uncrowned Queens of Little England

Women Tea puckers of Sri Lanka I planted five trees, nurtured a beautiful garden. Though the garden flourished, yet my throat remains dry. The lyrics written by Arivarasan for the song “Enjoy En jaami” (enjoy my dear)” based on his

by Fazeeha Azmi

Fictional Arts·Literature

The Proposals

With a towel wrapped around her wet hair, Mariam stood in her closet, trying to figure out what shalwar kameez to wear to the family dinner. She rummaged through, passing all the bright-coloured ones and landed on a black one. She

by Hina Ahmed

Fictional Arts·Literature

Buying Stuff with Smiles

“Saleem!” Ami called from the kitchen. “Your friends are almost here. Quickly go and grab a dozen eggs from the barn”. I swiftly hurried down the clay stairs, absorbing their coolness as I went through the blazing morning sun that kept donating

by Azkia Aftab

Fictional Arts·Literature

Wild Meadows

Wild Meadows We were allowed To laugh, but not loud Hushed, the windows must be closed Mind the door, not ajar. It took mind to defy and speak The heart always believed That it was love I was protected and valued. I

by Neha Kumari

Fictional Arts·Literature

Monsoon

Sky shelters the magic bowls that wrapped. Drizzle dances Ahead of street lights. Stillness of the wet city Breeze and chilly. Carving bundles Of memories. I could sense-even a city has nerves Of such emotions. A mid-night sounds Of heavy rain drops.

by Sameera Fathima

Politics & Culture

Young Indian Muslims and the Right to Wear Hijab

Why the right of young Indian Muslims to wear the hijab must be protected Of all the relentless images from Karnataka to which we have been subjected this year, no doubt the one everyone will remember Muskan Khan for

by Sameera Khan

Fictional Arts·Literature

The Bonsai

The Bonsai She opened the shining gift wrap And delighted she was to find that exotic bonsai. The beautiful tree so carefully tamed to be dwarfed with gentle love that it was contented inhibited. Excited, she asked friends and the internet some

by Vineeta Sharma

Fictional Arts·Literature

One night…

Snow capped purple mountains I see, Whispering a melody for me to feel. The fresh perfumery scent of the Fraser Fir, soothe my lungs in fragment fresh air. Sun dips beyond the hazy mountain range; glow of the rising moon doth search

by Yasomie Peiris

Fictional Arts·Literature

Having Spotted the First Grey

If I were blonde like those princesses from non-woke Disney productions (or more realistically like my fair haired father) it might’ve turned an icy, silvery white like a piece of moonlight frozen by magic or accident and somewhat like the silver tilla

by Mariam Tahir

Fictional Arts·Literature

Lavender Girl

I’ ever toot though ‘m genuine. Do, remember my summer? Rounded three paired chairs, Fourteen I was, eight we’re Grands, brothers and hens. Crew cries if I break Grand says” lavender-Girl” Once A new beard left My pink breast started To feed.

by Riwin Prasath

Fictional Arts·Literature

Poet, Lover, Birdwatcher

The poem bears the same title as the late poet Nissim Ezekiel’s poem and is a take on it. To force the winged creatures to be still For an enduring photograph Is not the way for those who Want to ‘capture’

by Kavita Ezekiel

Food & Travel·Travel

Pilgrimages and Travel Memories

My mother loved pilgrimages, in fact, several women of her generation loved it. Pilgrimages were the easy travel destinations for a lot of older women. Since it was an age devoid of social media and travel blogs, tourism had not

by Swapna Gopinath

Cuisines·Food & Travel

Thankful for Life’s Bounty

In a garden, there is no pretence. You can see what is growing (or not). The seeds and plants don’t fight the natural rhythm of the seasons. Change is the only truth, the only constant. Here the cycle of life plays out

by Meera Klein

Politics & Culture

International Rural Women’s Day: Through African Lens

Rural women across Africa continue to suffer from various constraints that inhibit them from producing food including lack of credit, lack of training, lack of updated information as well as overwork. Rural women also get exposed to agrochemicals, most of which they

by Leonida Odongo

Politics & Culture

Booker Prize for the Indian Subcontinent

When located geographically, in strife and in conflict there is no peaceful past to remember, in the hope that memory will provide some solace in the traumatic present. Seeking distance from the current situation, trying to make sense of the

by Nadi

Politics & Culture

The Longing of Lotus-eyed Krishna

Interpreting a Folio from a Kangra Gita Govinda Fig. 1: In the Gita Govinda, the sakhi persuades Radha to meet Krishna (c. 1820–1825), Ink and colour on paper, Bequest of Mrs Severance A. Millikin, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio

by Rukminee Guha Thakurtha

A Journey Gone Wrong -Book Review

Book Review: A Journey Gone Wrong Author: Gita Viswanath Pune: Vishwakarma Publications (January 2022) Gita Viswanath’s recent novel, A Journey Gone Wrong (2022), lives up to the promise of her critically acclaimed first novel, Twice It Happened (2019). Both have significant

by Swarnavel Eswaran

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Social Media and Digital Burnout

Social media can play a significant role in the creation of identity and alternative narratives. They provide a platform for individuals to present themselves to the world and to connect with like-minded people. Creating content for social media can be

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

I was a Candle, Lit for a Poet

He who burnt me to become the best poet! Because of her unstoppable gift for poetry writing, he courted her. He believed that she would have composed her best verses for someone else. Her muse made his life one of content

by Kalpani Dambagolla

Fictional Arts·Literature

Banjaaran

The emarald eyed banjaaran Offers green bangles to me. Where do you get the glass from? I ask her, now crystal eyed. From my tears, says she. I watch the clear gluey stream. Where do you get the green from? I ask

by Ravi Shankar

Fictional Arts·Literature

Happy Family?

1. “Mom left? What do you mean by mom left?” Aman screamed, still standing. The early morning breeze flowing through the huge French-sized window on the opposite wall seemed to have warmed in an instant. Dad looked at him, his eyes were

by Nazia Kamali

FemAsia is Shortlisted – Asian Media Awards 2022

We are thrilled to share the news that FemAsia Magazine has been Shortlisted for the Asian Media Awards 2022 under the Best Publication / Website category. The Asian Media Awards is built to recognise the strength and depth of the British Media

by FemAsia Team

Fictional Arts·Literature

Not a Fairy Tale – The Courtroom

PART 1 It was 8 O’Clock on a cold morning in December. The chilling gusts crossed the door and windows and froze her feet and hands. She was sitting confused and afraid on a wooden chair placed in the corner

by Aamir Habib

The Secret Lives of Women with ADHD

In 2020, my life changed. I was diagnosed with ADHD around the time I was celebrating the diamond jubilee of my arrival on Planet Earth. Since early childhood I remember struggling with anger outbursts, being chronically late, feeling anxious in social

by Nandita de Souza