It is a two-year old platform that open spaces and designs events for creative pursuits in the area of music, lyrics, poetry, slam and related areas of the spoken word, outside of and in contrast to the benchmarks set by the mainstream. The focus has been to encourage communicating issues related to society and justice that don’t get sufficient or no attention in the media and society as such. This could range from gender issues to socio-economics, cultural or even political matters or the existence of Indie artists. In the two years since it kicked off under the ownership of the Dwijen Dinanath Arts Foundation, it has involved over 60 musicians, queer and women rights activists, poets, academicians, home-based entrepreneurs and journalists.
Set up over nine years ago, the group has expanded from travel and MICE to experiential concepts and the business of VISCOM. While it works with and for corporate entities such as Google, Indus Towers, ADM and several others, it has started developing properties with target interest groups be it entertainment, Indie art and environment. This led the group to associate closely with Embrace: Music Justice Arts, organising two of its large format anchor events in Delhi. The group represents the leading international firm, Pulse Universal.
The Rainbow Lit Fest – Queer & Inclusive is owned and run by the Dwijen Dinanath Arts Foundation, a Section 8, not for-profit entity. Supported by donations and funds invested by its founder, Sharif D Rangnekar, the Foundation functions in the area of facilitating and curating platforms related to gender, sexuality, arts and the independent music space. It leverages history and literature as well as current affairs and the multitude of thoughts and views in all it attempts to do.
The Festival, seeks to be inclusive, bringing together different identities and sections of society to explore common ground. The hope is that ultimately we collectively stitch together more informed narratives about diversity. Sitting pretty much at the intersections of alternative and mainstream, the Fest is a mix of different forms of expression such as prose, poetry, art, music, dance, films, talks and discussions.
As a platform we make all attempts not to discriminate against anyone be it their caste, class, religion, colour, sexuality, gender or disability. At the same time, will not knowingly platform or honour persons who are criminals, plagiarists, sexual offenders or hate mongers who indulge in abuse, encouraging divisive thoughts and expression.
If you wish to support or know more about the Festival or the Foundation, you may write to festivaldirector@rainbowliteraturefestival.com.
