#South Asian Curator

[kaalbela]

Kamal Koria. 1. Devotion / 2. Wild Bird / 3. Bird Feeding / 4. Mirror.

[onelonelystory]

dude it's absolutely bonkers when like. thai or korean actors/musicians take even the shortest of breaks from idol life and all their media in the interim they're like 4 shades darker

[cinematic-phosphenes]

Portrait of a Prince with a Hawk | 18th Century Mughal miniature, gum tempera and gold on paper 

[mangoslixes]

To keep things simple, in my etchings, the most transparent layer is the fundamental nature of humanity and its temperaments, which has been constant since the beginning.

on Anupam Sood

[vesora]

do not be envious of others

“You are every thing, every being, every emotion, every event, every situation. You are unity. You are infinity. You are love/light, light/love. You are. This is the Law of One.” ― Ra, Law of One: By RA an Humble Messenger

speaking from experience, i used to have a huge problem with envy. i constantly would compare my life with others. i never wanted others to fail but i wanted to be like them. which now that i think about it, it’s fucking stupid isn’t it? i constantly gave my power away because i felt i had to be perfect to be loved, so i would ignore what my body and soul were telling me and attempt to curate the perfect image of myself. thinking about it, it was also probably due to the south asian tendency to want to look the best in front of everyone haha

anyways, everyone around you is real but they’re also a projection of you and your beliefs and your assumptions. if you feel everyone is destined to live a life better than you, then you will find external evidence that they are. you have the power to create the best for yourself, yet you experience envy when you can live the exact way someone else is living. they’re not lesser or better than you, they simply are you. they are a state that you can either choose to occupy or not.

everything around you at this moment is caused by you, namely your assumptions. you would be doing yourself a disservice by envying what someone has or is feeling, because you can have exactly what they have; you can feel exactly what they feel. it’s not lost on you.

by envying and feeling lesser than, all you’re doing is perpetrating the version of you that doesn’t exist in this new reality of yours. i’m not judging you, i went through the same thing (although even if i didnt, i still wouldnt judge you)

what to do when you do feel envious?

scenario: your friend on your story posted a new chanel bag that was bought by her boyfriend who loves her so much and would do anything for her. so now you feel envy because you want someone to spoil you too.

firstly, i must say you shouldn’t rely on others or material possessions to make you feel happy but it’s still okay to want it, just don’t be dependent on it.

so, recognise what you’re feeling. are you feeling sad? lonely? poor? unlucky? how no one would love you like that? how you can never be as rich?

once you recognise, we can flip the thoughts.

know that anything your friend can have, YOU can have because the world is a blank canvas for you. all your wishes and desires are MEANT to be fulfilled.

no matter how shit you feel in the moment, it will pass.

most importantly, view the subject of your envy with love. they’re just you pushed out. you should feel happy for their happiness. you should rejoice when they’re overjoyed. you should cheer them on. your fellow man is you and you are the fellow man. once you transmute the energy from envy to love, you will feel so much lighter, because being filled with love is how you’re supposed to be and function.

don’t be envious. you can have anything you desire. want the best for everyone around you, because everyone is you pushed out. we are all consciousness.

here’s a post i saw:

[mybeingthere]

My Memories of an Indian Master

SHANAY JHAVERI AND HOWARD HODGKIN

The Tate Gallery

Bhupen Khakhar (1934–2003) was an acclaimed artist both in India and internationally. Active from the 1960s, he was part of a vibrant new wave of narrative painting and figuration by artists in his home country including Gulam Sheikh and Sudhir Patwardhan that became known as the Baroda School. After early experiments with pop art, Khakhar, who was self-taught, developed a style that combined high and low, popular and painterly aesthetics, much of which was infused with his deep knowledge of art from south Asian and European sources. His themes, which included his homosexuality and his cancer, proved to be provocative and emotionally charged, especially to a conservative Indian audience. To coincide with Tate’s first posthumous survey of his career, which brings together work from across five decades, the critic and curator Shanay Jhaveri hears candidly about the painter’s life and work from one of Khakhar’s friends, the artist Howard Hodgkin.

https://www.tate.org.uk/.../iss.../my-memories-indian-master

[my18thcenturysource]

It seems you're all in love with historical shoes and the Bata Museum (honestly, same), sooooo let me tell you that on May 24th, they'll have a conversation with Avalon Forheringham, curator for the South Asian textiles and dress collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Live. On Zoom. For Free.

FOR FREE.

You all just need to register via THIS LINK, or though the link in bio of their instagram.

Go, let's enjoy more shoes.

[ohmytomorrowisthursday]

AOT characters taking you on a date pt. 1

Hiiii! Please enjoy this lil post. A bit spicy but I kept it pretty tame lol. 

Part 2 is here

Mikasa: She would want to go somewhere that you like. She would either ask your friends or creep your social media to see if you have a favourite restaurant. Would pick somewhere chill where you don’t need to dress up. I think she would enjoy going for a walk with you after dinner, somewhere by the beach to watch the sunset. She’d pack a blanket so the two of you can sit there and enjoy the moment. I feel like she’d enjoy getting dessert at one of those 50’s diners where you can split a sundae. She wouldn’t initiate any kisses but I think she’d hold your hand while trying not to blush. A wholesome and chill night out. 

Eren: Loves spicy food and takes you to a Mexican restaurant. Loves the music and the food. When you date Eren; you’re his. I feel like he’d want to sit on the same side of the booth as you or at the bar so that you guys are side by side. Likes holding your waist and can’t take his eyes off of you. Drives the two of you somewhere out of the city with a view and has curated the perfect playlist for the drive. Parks the car and wants to hold you and have deep long chats for hours. Wants to know everything about you and share everything about himself too. He loves to kiss your neck and watch your chest go up and down with the excitement of his touch. Lets you wear his hoodie and doesn’t want to stop holding you. One hand on the wheel and one hand on your thigh. 

Connie: He’d want to take you somewhere that the two of you could have a lot of fun at. An arcade bar where you could get burgers and fries and some fun cocktails. He would want to play all of the games with you and would always let you win. Collecting tickets to win you a stuffed animal. Is a little shy about affection so bonding over teamwork and games would be a good way to hang out and get closer. I feel like he would sneak in some touching, like nudging you or giving you a tight hug when you win games. A playful kind of love. Would ask you for a kiss at the end of the night and go sooooo pink in the cheeks. 

Hange: Y’all are going for South Asian food; they loveeee curry. Somewhere on the higher end too. Wants to share everything and try everything on the menu. Hange loves to share their ideas and I feel like if you’re on a date with them they would feel so comfortable to talk to you and share everything; you make them feel safe. After dinner they would want to do something fun like a themed cocktail night at a funky bar. Wants to go dancing with you and get moving. Silly and sweet but they’d definitely know when to turn on the charm; grinding you, kissing you and getting you so turned on. They’re a coy lover and would love making you blush. Making out on a dance floor, and kissing you until you’re love drunk. They’d walk you home late at night in the cool quiet evening, laughing about your adventures from the night. 

Armin: Armin would rather do a day date instead of one at night. I feel like he’d love brunch and indulging in foods like chicken and waffles, eggs benny and all of the delicious brunch goodness. Armin isn’t shy to voice his feelings and so I feel like he’d rather just see you in the sunlight; glowing without the veil of evening to cover you up. Would want to ask you all about work, how your friends are and just get into the nitty gritty of the week. Wants to go to a museum and look at all of the art and history, the two of you picking out your favourite paintings and walking arm in arm. He’d want to understand why you like things to understand your psyche better. Soft kisses on your cheeks throughout the date. Would compliment you so many times on you beautiful you look. 

[kaalbela]

Kamal Koria. 1. Radhey Govinda (2022) / 2. Gowpala (2022) / 3. Bansuri (2021)

[satocidal]

𖥔 ִ ་ ، ˖ ࣪ ་ ˖𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞 𖥔 ִ ་ ، ˖ ࣪ ་ ˖

— 𝐴𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑒<3

(factual speed run!): Rome is — 18, South Asian, entp (7w8), favourite colour? Red and Gold but what’ll you do anyways…she/her, a full-time-student—STEM, raging bisexual, bilingual. This is, as per my indecisiveness, a multi fandom blog now hehe

˚ ༘💭⋆｡˚ — (what’s goin’ on in that gorgeous brain of yours?): Rome is thinking — of her husbands and wives<3 especially of Suguru Geto because just about men who hate your guts and will also rearrange them for you makes me horny. In an eternal poly relationship with SatoSugu and honourable mentions to my side bae Shoko.

(music that is blessed!): Rome Listens to — Hozier, Mitski, Cavetown, Artic Monkeys, Lost Stories, Zeph, Nanku, The Yellow Diaries, Neighbourhood, Young The Giants, Catfish and the bottlemen, Hoosiers, pat!d, lumineers, one direction, Lorde, Mother Mother, Wallows, Girl in Red, Marina, Alec Benjamin

— 𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑠:

—my general likes: coffee and tea, vanilla scented things, sour candies, psychological thriller, mangas, maths and physics and classic literature, drama, random silly little debates on mundane topics, star-gazing, watching sun-rise, organised phones, raspberries, men who are smarter than, women who are stronger than me, late night walks, hot showers, watching people do makeup (because I can’t), doing my hair, dancing, silly little skirts, caramel flavoured things, pasta, baking, a lot- like a lot of academic validation&lt;3

—my general dislikes: conservatives(or that’s still ok but don’t come @ me with your views),furries, chemistry, people who shove their opinions into others, misogynists, rad fems, gabi haters, sadly- eren💀; incels, homophobes and islamophobes; any sort of discrimination

— 𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠:-

—What I will write:

most genres at any given time- angst, fluff, smut. I do accept requests and will write anything ranging from drabbles and Headcanons to longer fics (+2k words); I do age up all my characters (given I mostly write for adults anyways) even if there’s no smut; I am fine with most kinks too, just check what I don’t write for a heads up.

It may that you sent a request and I never worked on it or maybe even said I would and then nothing ever happened, I’m sorry but sometimes that’s how it is. Often I don’t have enough motivation and I’m an ask-hoarder so even as I write, I have month old asks stored in—it’s nothing personal at all in fact I may just corporate your ask/request/thirst in a longer fic as I please (sorry not sorry my love)

I’m fine with writing angsty stuff too, blood and gore, character deaths, polyamory, character x reader x character or character x reader; I usually write Fem! Reader unless requested otherwise (I’m not experienced much with Male! Reader though);

my reader inserts are always fem! Bodied and devoid of any other particular physical features (may sometimes be defined as chubby but yes); dub-con; concept of physical/mental abuse (works will be properly tagged or trigger warned)

—What I won’t write: water sports; monster fucking(may hold exceptions); omegaverse; indulgence in bodily fluids (except blood and cum); rape; non-con; pedophilia; incest, any kind of discrimination; scat; lolli-con

—What fandoms I work on: Shinjeki no Kyojin; Boku no hero piko; Jujutsu kaisen; Haikyuu!!; Tokyo Revengers; Bungo Stray Dogs

“Rules”:

i love terms of endearment and use them indiscriminately so if there’s an issue, do lemme know and I do talk a lot in general but don’t barge into my inbox with slurs or “bitch/slut/whore” when and if we don’t know each other)

Do not, I repeat, do NOT bring discourse to my blog <3 about other writers, my mutuals or anything

It may be that I make you uncomfortable or vice versa, in which case I do encourage talking it out and voicing your issue but if you’re not big on that, soft-block and hard-blocks are ok with no hard feelings because I’m huge on curating your own experience

If you wanting to hard-block/soft-block me, it’s ok but please by all accords don’t leave me following you because that’s just weird

don’t send hate because 1. It doesn’t matter to me 2. I’ve better things to deal with and you look stupid

𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑒’𝑠 𝐻𝑢𝑠𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠:-

— Geto Suguru, Satoru Gojo, Hanma Shuji, Rindou Haitani, Kokonoi Hajime, Jean Kirsten, Erwin Smith, Nanami Kento, Oikawa, Kuroo, Chuuya and Fukuzawa + I’ll find more <3

[mote-historie]

Coty powder compact designed by Leon Bakst, Made by Coty Inc in Paris, France, 1935-1955.

The founder, Francois Coty believed the aesthetics of the packaging to be as important as the product. After his successful artistic partnership with designer Rene Lalique in the early 20th century, Coty approached Leon Bakst to design the Air Spun powder box. Leon Bakst is celebrated for his colourful exotic costumes and decors created for the Ballet Russes, which prompted new fashions in dress and interior decoration. This colourful, exotic aesthetic can be seen in the design of the powder box, where fluffy white powder puffs with black and gold handles float against an orange and gold background. Bakst’s original powder box design was made of Moroccan leather with gold leaf embossing. However, these boxes were expensive to manufacture and Coty paid his customers to return them when empty. They were then sent to Japan where the gold leaf would be scraped off and then reused. Bakst’s design was later modified into a cheaper cardboard version by Coty’s commercial artist Georges Draeger. The design of the packaging created an impression of luxury and prestige, while still being mass produced. These ‘luxury’ items were made even more accessible to middle and working class women by packaging them in small quantities and creating gift sets and co-ordinating product lines. Coty Air Spun powder was very successful, selling in Europe, North and South America, Australia and Asia. It was so popular in Asia that the ‘Rachel’ colour was created specifically for Asian skin tones. Coty is an internationally renowned beauty product and fragrance company that was founded in Paris in 1904 by François Coty. The company was acquired by the fragrance division of Unilever in 2005. In 2010 Coty had it’s headquarters in New York City and had become the world’s largest manufacturer of mass-market fragrances, aligning many of its new fragrances with celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, David and Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and Calvin Klein. Alysha Buss, Curatorial volunteer with Anne-Marie Van de Ven, Curator, February 2011 Reference: Toledano, Roulhac B. and Coty, Elizabeth Z., ‘Francois Coty: Fragrance, Power, Money’, Pelican Publishing Company Inc, Gretna, Louisiana, 2009

Powerhouse Museum Collection.

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

BFCD Masterlist || Black Femme x Asian Character Relationships

This is a list of the ships with at least one Black female character x at least one Asian person or performer (Instances in which the characters aren't human will count as the person portraying the character's race).

As of the 4 Year Anniversary of blackfemmecharacterdependency April 30th, 2024, I am not going to be active. I decided to simply post what I had. The list is incomplete for the foreseeable future, but everyone is welcome to add on to it. Especially because I had several ships planned that I didn't get a chance to add before I had to stop maintaining the blog.

General Tags:

Black + Asian (This is for People with Black and Asian in them. They aren't necessarily ship representation, but sort of are because they are a product of such relationships and may be used for FC's if you have a character of similar makeup)

Black x Asian (This is for ships) | Black women with Asian men | Black women with Asian women | Black Woman with a Bigender Asian | Black Woman with Nonbinary Asian

Exceptions include if there is a nonbinary performer who plays the role of a female character, or vice versa, on the Black end. If there is an EXPLICITLY AFAB MALE, please do not suggest or expect them to appear.

List will include people from and with backgrounds from the countries on the map, but I don't intend to put any from Russia's portions, unless a special circumstance appears.

It was a little bit difficult for me to figure out how to curate the list (there are more of these relationships than I realized. So, for now, its mostly separated by regions of Asia, with the left portions on one list and the right portions on another. Not a perfect breakdown but everything to the left of China (west) and South is going to be the first part, and China to the east will be the second.

*

4400: Keisha Taylor x Soraya TV

Anything's Possible: Kelsa x Khal Movie

Big Brother: Taylor Hale & Joseph Abdin Reality TV/Real Life

Jonesy: Susan x Nisha Comic Book Series

Mythic Quest: Dana x Rachel TV

The Haunting of Bly Manor: Hannah Grose x Owen Sharma Mini-Series

Lucifer: Mazikeen x Eve TV/Comics

The Princess and the Frog: Tiana x Naveen Cartoons/Misc

Ragnarok, The Animated Series:Judia x Iruga Alam (Idk enough about these characters to know anything. I will put them on this end, because it sounds like this is where they go)

Sleepless: Pyppenia x Cyrenic Graphic Novel

Tut: Suhad x Tutankhamun Miniseries

*

Anime

Basquash!: Miyuki Ayukawa x Dan JD (I will be so honest with y'all. Inthe years of finding content, none of the times that I have ever found some, I have never seen an inkling of a pairing from that show and so just don't expect to see them here just because I included the names from suggestions)

Bleach: Yoruichi x Soi Fong

Borotu: Karui x Choji Akimichi (Once again, had no clue. Actually, I didn't know there was a Black women even In this series, which gives me pause to seek out content. Them fandoms where you never see the negress usually 1000% cannot be trusted. Long story short: Don't expect content.)

Hunter x Hunter: Canary x Amane | Revolutionary Girl Utena: Anthy x Utena

Books

Can't Escape Love: Regina Hobbs x Gustave Nguyen Book - Alyssa Cole

Let's Talk About Love: Alice x Takumi Book - Claire Kann

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Hazel Levesque x Frank Zhang Book Series | The Sun is Also a Star Natasha Kingsley x Daniel Bae Book/Movie

And just a fun tidbit for y'all. This assignment has my computer thinking I need suggestions. I haven't read any of these, but came across them, so here you are.

Cartoons

Amphibia: Jess x Ally | Dragon Age Absolution: Miriam x Sapphira | The Dragon Prince: Janai x Amaya | Inside Job: Gigi x Andre (Adult) | Invincible: Amber Bennett x Mark Grayson (Adult) | Miraculous Ladybug: Ayla x Marinnette | The Owl House: Skara x Willow | The Proud Family: Penny Proud x Kwok

Comic Books

Batgirl: Rebirth: Frankie Charles x Malaya | DC Bombshells: Nell Little x Alysia Yeoh | Goldie Vance: Marigold "Goldie" Vance x Diane Kimura | X-Men: Ororo Munroe x Yukio

Movies

Boogie: Eleanor x Boogie | Bottoms: Josie x Isabel | Cinderella: Cinderella x Christopher | Lightyear: Alisha x Kiko Hawthorne | Ninja Assassin: Mika Coretti x Raiko | Romeo Must Die: Trish O'Day & Han Sing

TV/Streaming Series

The Baby-SItters Club: Ashley Wyeth x Janine Kishi | Black Lightning: Anissa Pierce x Grace Choi (Comics/TV) | Chicago Med: April Sexton x Ethan Choi | Dark Matter: Nyx x Two | Fate: The Winx Saga: Aisha x Grey | Gen V: Marie Moreau x Jordan Li | Heartstopper: Elle Argent x Tao Xu Webcomic/Streaming Series | Hunters: Roxy Jones x Joe Mizushima | Into the Badlands: Veil x Sunny | Killjoys: Aneela Kin Rit x Delle Seyah Kendra | Motherland: Fort Salem: Abigail Bellweatherx Adil of Tarim | Neon: Mia x Felix | New Amsterdam: Helen Sharpe x Cassian Shin | Helen Sharpe x Akash Panthaki | Nine Perfect Strangers: Delilah x Yao Book/Miniseries |

Orange is the New Black: Poussey x Soso | Power Rangers: Aisha x Adam | Aisha x Rocky x Adam aka Nesha's First Throuple | Tanya Sloan x Adam Park Kids TV | Riverdale: Josie McCoy x Reggie Mantle | Josie McCoy x Sweet Pea | Shadowhunters: Maia Roberts x Jordan Kyle Book/TV | Star Trek TOS: Uhura x Sulu TV/Movies | Star Wars: Jannah x Rose | Ketsu x Sabine | Pamich x Jessika Cartoons/Comics/Movies | The Umbrella Academy: Jill x Ben Hargreeves | Wheel of Time: Nynaeve al'Meara x 'Lan Mandragoran Book/Streaming Series

Webcomics

Dom & Mor: Morgan x Dominique | He's Harmless, I Swear: Tammy x Tomoya | If You'll Have Me: Momo Gardner x Priscilla Giang Webcomic/Graphic Novel | LMLY: Sofia x Leon Webcomics

Video Games

Mortal Kombat: Jacqui Briggs x Takeda Takahashi

*

[ivypalooza]

Navigating Beauty Standards: The Complex Intersection of Korean and South Asian Ideals

Beauty standards are deeply ingrained in societies worldwide, reflecting cultural, historical, and even colonial influences. In Asia, the contrast between Korean and South Asian beauty ideals highlights the complexities surrounding colorism and body image. As South Asians increasingly embrace K-beauty and skincare routines, a disheartening rejection of South Asian aesthetics persists within Korean beauty culture. This dichotomy exemplifies broader issues of how beauty is defined and valued across Asian societies, particularly in the comparison of Korean and Indian standards. Moreover, the influence of social media exacerbates these disparities, perpetuating an unattainable standard of beauty for Asian women. As an individual of Indian-Korean heritage, I have personally grappled with these conflicting ideals, struggling to find acceptance within either culture's beauty norms.

The Divergence of Beauty Ideals

Korean beauty standards often revolve around a particular archetype: fair skin, large eyes, a V-shaped face, and a slender figure. These standards, while reflective of a specific cultural aesthetic, contribute to a culture of colorism that marginalizes individuals with darker complexions. In contrast, South Asian beauty ideals encompass a diverse range of skin tones, body types, and facial features. However, within South Asia, light skin is still often favored, reflecting historical biases rooted in colonial legacies.

The Emergence of K-Beauty in South Asia

In recent years, the global popularity of Korean beauty products and skincare routines has surged, captivating South Asian consumers. The meticulous skincare regimens and innovative products offered by K-beauty have garnered immense popularity, encouraging South Asians to adopt new practices in pursuit of healthier, glowing skin. This convergence of beauty cultures highlights a shared appreciation for self-care and the desire for radiant, flawless skin.

The Rejection of South Asian Aesthetics in Korea

Despite the mutual exchange of beauty practices, South Asian aesthetics are still met with resistance within Korean society. This is due to deeply entrenched colorism, which perpetuates the belief that lighter skin equates to higher social status and attractiveness. South Asian individuals, regardless of their Asian identity, often find themselves ostracized and deemed less desirable solely based on their skin color. This rejection serves as a stark reminder of the insidious influence of colorism in shaping perceptions of beauty.

The Influence of Social Media

Social media platforms amplify and exacerbate these disparities in beauty standards. Filtered images and curated profiles contribute to an unrealistic portrayal of beauty, placing immense pressure on individuals to conform to an unattainable ideal. The prevalence of certain beauty standards on platforms like Instagram and TikTok further perpetuates the notion that there is a singular definition of beauty, further marginalizing those who do not fit this mold. Social media categorizes Asian women and makes other Asians feel they don’t belong to that beauty standard and if they try to achieve that, it would look wrong on them because they don’t fit the categorized look of what they’re supposed to be doing to feel pretty, and then it feels like an outsider trying to fit in. It’s a very difficult feeling to have, so a lot of people willingly choose to do the looks that are only made for “them”. It enforces the racial idealization of the “other”, to exclude rather than include. You’re not part of this, so don’t do it. If you do it, we will pretend to support you but in reality we will make fun of you for even trying. Because of this, it feels like you don’t even want to try to look pretty at all. It hurts more when it is women, particularly Asian women themselves poking fun at you for being Asian and trying something that is meant to exclude you.

Personal Reflections on Identity and Beauty

As an individual of Indian-Korean heritage, I have grappled with a sense of not belonging within both cultures. I have never fit neatly into the established beauty norms of either society. My body does not align with the expectations of either Indian or Korean standards, and my skin color, while uniquely beautiful, does not conform to the prevailing ideals. I have lightish brown skin but not light enough in the way North Indians would like it, which is a very light pale brown, and I am not even close to pale for Korean standards. This has led to a profound sense of discomfort and self-consciousness, as I constantly feel the need to meet an unattainable standard of beauty which I can not conform to at all. It has made it difficult for me to be comfortable with my physical appearance and as a result I’ve grown to hate how I look. It’s a little better now, but I’m still struggling with it. I hate how I’m not the perfect Asian skinny that Asian women are. It used to be so bad that I feared because of my looks that Korean people wouldn’t accept me, and because of that I was always hesitant to make Korean friends as I was worried they would make fun of me for the way I look as beauty is such an important part of Korean culture. I’m glad that I have found people that are very loving and accepting, but it is still a big fear of a cultural norm which excludes me from my East Asian heritage. I will say though, it has gotten a lot better in Korea for Native Koreans to accept more diverse skin tones, but a backwards society and racial stigma of foreigners in Korea is still prevalent.

Conclusion

The complex interplay of Korean and South Asian beauty standards exemplifies the larger issue of how beauty is defined and valued in Asian societies. The convergence of K-beauty and South Asian skincare practices offers hope for a more inclusive and diverse understanding of beauty. However, the persistence of colorism and rejection of South Asian aesthetics in Korean culture serve as stark reminders of the work that remains to be done in dismantling harmful beauty ideals. It is crucial to recognize the inherent worth and beauty of individuals, regardless of their adherence to societal norms. Embracing diversity and celebrating the richness of different identities is the first step toward redefining beauty on a global scale.

Source/Inspiration for some of the topics I mentioned:

[alex-shmalex]

Hi Tumblr ~

I co-curated a queer prayer book for an exhibition with the talented Boston & New Delhi based artist, Anukriti. 

This self-published publication– The Book of Being– features the work of 13 LGBTQ+ creatives, curated from a digital open call to writers from the Americas & South Asian diaspora. The poetry and writings in this prayer book honor the transcendental power of queer spirituality, while offering perspectives from a diverse range of religious and cultural backgrounds. 

Here’s a peek at the inside! If you’d like a copy for yourself, please check it out at this link: https://www.blurb.com/b/11277794-the-book-of-being 

All proceeds will directly support stipends for the project’s contributors <3 

[panicinthestudio]

Exhibition Tour—Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE

Join John Guy, Florence and Herbert Irving Curator of the Arts of South and Southeast Asia in The Met’s Department of Asian Art, and Donald S. Lopez, Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, University of Michigan, for a virtual tour of Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE. Featuring more than 140 objects dating from 200 BCE to 400 CE, the exhibition presents a series of evocative and interlocking themes to reveal both the pre-Buddhist origins of figurative sculpture in India and the early narrative traditions that were central to this formative moment in early Indian art. With major loans from a dozen lenders across India, as well as from the United Kingdom, Europe, a4thnd the United States, it transports visitors into the world of early Buddhist imagery that gave expression to this new religion as it grew from a core set of ethical teachings into one of the world’s great religions. Objects associated with Indo-Roman exchange reveal India’s place in early global trade. The exhibition showcases objects in various media, including limestone sculptures, gold, silver, bronze, rock crystal, and ivory. Highlights include spectacular sculptures from southern India—newly discovered and never before publicly exhibited masterpieces—that add to the world canon of early Buddhist art. On view: July 21st–November 13th, 2023 Learn more about the exhibition: https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/tree-and-serpent The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[somerabbitholes]

Feel free to ignore this cause I’m just curious- but why wouldn’t you recommend Jhumpa Lahiri for Diasporic literature?

Thanks, and have a lovely day!

hi! it's not that i would completely write her off, she's very good at what she does and i've loved what i've read of hers. i'm a little unsure, always, because she's never really lived in india, she's said she's effectively american; and so (i think) how she deals with immigration or cultural loss, while very good, is somewhat mediated and an experience that comes handed down to her. it's like the difference between my father writing about the decline of his village in his time versus me writing about it: i've hardly been to the village, and i've only ever visited. and then there's also the related but slightly different issue i have about how she is pretty much the only 'south asian' writer who makes it to these very anglo-american curated reading lists, and like, such a big part of how and why she's always there is about a whole world of literary geopolitics that has to do with her geographical position, the literary networks and publishers she can access, and so on.

in the end, for me, it's a question of authenticity, and i don't really have any answers because to say native voices are the only authentic ones is to go down a slippery slope i have absolutely no desire to be on. this is, of course, not to say that she's not as good a writer, these are just things i think about when i think about her books on lists of south asian literature — it all feels a little lazy to me, even though it says more about how the literary industry or cultural criticism works than it does about her work.