South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies Commons^™

Isagani Cruz And His Fiction: A Footnote To The “Deconstructive Effect Of Feminist Materialism On The Newly-Discovered Cordillera Archives”, Isidoro M. Cruz

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

A cursory reading of Isagani R. Cruz’s literary theory and criticism on one hand, and his fiction on the other, suggests a disparity between Cruz as a scholarly literary critic and Cruz as a fictionist of stories “for adults only”; however, a detail in one of his short stories in his book, Father Solo and Other Stories for Adults Only, arouses a critical suspicion that his fiction is actually cultural criticism masquerading as irreverent or obscene fiction, so that the critic and the fictionist are one. That detail is found in “Once upon a Time Some Years from Now,” …

The Ecocritical Erotic In Marjorie Evasco's "Elemental", Jose Kervin Cesar B. Calabias

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

This brief article explores the critical entanglements of nature, matter, and the human body in Marjorie Evasco’s poem “Elemental.” Through ecocritical erotic writing, the text establishes the “trans-corporeal” relationships between human desire and the natural environment, the language of the erotic and the craft of poetry, and the writer and the task of ecofeminist writing. Ultimately, this essay suggests that the text and the author engage with the ba’i as an indigenous source of femininity, charting a direction toward native Philippine ecofeminism.

Decolonial Queer Poetic, Aparajita Dutta

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Queer bodies, produced by poetry, conjure dissident bodies who exist as citizens within the scope of the nation. In this analysis, I take into consideration Indian queer poetry, from both India and the diaspora, because bodies produced through this poetry reveal intersectional identities of queerness like race, and caste, that will help us understand how non-normative bodies exist along with other forms of marginalized identities like caste and race. In absence of academic scholarship on Indian queer poetry’s connection to the construction of nationhood, I aim to survey Indian queer poetry from mainland India and the Northern American diaspora, and …

The State Of Transgender And Kinnar Communities In Delhi: Case Studies Connecting Socioeconomic Factors To Health, Ray Craig

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The paper seeks to draw connections between socioeconomic barriers faced by the transgender (trans) community in Delhi, India and the healthcare that the community receives. It primarily discusses transgender people who are not part of the kinnar population, with as much consideration to the experiences of the kinnar community as possible, given limited access to their circles. Five transgender individuals and two cisgender individuals who have worked with trans communities participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews to understand various factors that affect trans people’s daily lives and their healthcare experiences in Delhi. Interviews were transcribed and coded, finding common themes of …

The Afterlife Of Jennifer Laude: Trans Necropolitics And Trans Utopias, Max D. López Toledano

Crossings: Swarthmore Undergraduate Feminist Research Journal

Jennifer Laude is a filipino trans woman who was murdered by a visiting member of the United States army in 2014. Her murder led to several protests in the Philippines and in the United States led by both queer and anti-imperialist movements that urged for the rejection of the 'Visiting Forces Agreement' in the Philippines. This essay explores how Laude's murder is located in a climate of 'trans necropolitics' that allocates death and disposability to unruly trans and brown bodies who fail to comply with cis-normative gender ideals. This essay understands her murder (and her afterlife) beyond her individual body, …

Women’S Voices From History: Gond Rani Durgawati And Rani Lakshmibhai, Nandini Sengupta, Moupia Basu

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

Two strong women are compared and contrasted in this article. Gond Rani Durgawati (1524-1564) led a resistance movement in Jabalpur against the Mughal rule of Akbar. Rani Lakshmibai (1828-1858) organized the people of Jhansi against Sir Hugh Rose, an officer defending the interests of the British East India Company. Both women continue to be remembered for their bravery and their loyalty to the people they ruled.

The Kin-Ship, Zheng Moham Wang

Comparative Woman

This is a group of two English poems the author composed separately in 2019 and 2021 about the imaginary scenes of his grandpa and mother from a Iu-Mien family of Southeast Asia and Southwestern China. The group was submitted to the upcoming Kinship volume of the Comparative Woman journal of Louisiana State University.

Identities Of Women In Indian Art And History, Nalini Rao

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

The stereotypical image of Indian women portrayed in the art of stone sculpture is often interpreted as images of beauty that are sensuous, religious as well depict social life. There are historical reasons for depicting her as such. This paper inquires into the changing depiction and social forces that influenced feminine imagery. This paper examines the portrayal of beauty through idealization of female body which has evolved over the centuries in India. It also aims to understand their changing status and explores issues of feminine identity, status, and empowerment largely in ancient and medieval India. It also provides a brief …

Editor’S Note, Deepak Shimkhada

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

This special issue of Monsoon is dedicated to the studies honoring the goddess traditions in South Asia. The onset of the Monsoon Season in South Asia typically commences in June and continues until late August and early September. The publication of this issue, therefore, has been strategically timed to coincide with that season, which is a vital source of sustenance for millions of individuals in this part of the world. This anthology consisting of five papers—written by scholars with expertise in the field of goddess and women studies—speak unequivocally about the goddesses or women for their strength, beauty, wisdom, and …

Indigenous Stitch-Arts Of India: Tradition And Revival In A Global Age, Punam Madhok

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

Stitch art allows for the creative expression and economic support of countless women throughout India. This article examines four notable styles: chikankari, flora and fauna stitched in white thread on fine white cotton, rabari, the stitching of mirrors into colorful cloth, phulkari, resplendent flowery motifs sewn into shawls in Punjab, and kantha, Bengali patch work yielding quilts and seating mats. In addition to describing each technique, this article discusses how women have been economically empowered through this art by such organizations as Self-Help Enterprise (SHE) in Kolkata and Adithi, a women’s cooperative, in Bihar.

Mai Bhago And Amrita Devi Bishnoi: Women Of Strength, Sowmya Ayyar

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

Mai Bhago (1670-1720), also known as Bhag Kaur, distinguished herself on the battlefield to defend the Sikh faith. Amrita Devi Bishnoi (d. 1730) is said to have sacrificed her life with 362 others to protect the Khejari trees in the Rajasthan desert. Both women continue to inspire social justice and ecological activism.

Constructing Jain Goddess Padmavātī In Gujarati Literature, Venu Mehta

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

Worship of the goddess Padmāvatī emerged more than a thousand years ago. This article explores three songs about her in Gujarati by Paṇḍit Vīrvijayajī (1773-1852). By analyzing the style and form of his work, one learns a great deal about devotional liturgies that commemorate goddess Padmāvatī’s protection of the Jina Pārśvanātha and, in turn, his protection of her.

An Examination Of Gandhian Economic And Political Thought And Its Relevance To The Empowerment Of Women, Purnima Mehta Bhatt

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) sought to alleviate poverty and empower women. His commitment to nonviolence and the economic ideal of “small is beautiful” continue to inspire grassroots movements around the globe. This article discusses the Chipko movement of northern India, the protection of rain forests in Kerala’s Silent Valley, the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), and Medha Patkar’s valiant though ultimately futile attempt to save the Narmada River from a massive government damming project. The ongoing legacy of these movements can be found in AWAG, the Ahmedabad Women’s Action Group and Women’s Shanti Sena (Peace Force).

How South Asian Activists Queer The Model Minority Myth: A Critical Oral History Project, Noorie Baig

Communication ETDs

The model minority myth (MMM) is predicated on stereotypical perceptions of Asian Americans as subservient high-achievers who comply with the ideologies of meritocracy, whiteness, and capitalism. However, South Asian American (SAA) activists and community organisers, the focus of this study, are working to confront and abolish racist, heterosexist, and other exclusionary injustices, policies, and practices. This dissertation seeks to understand the historical influences of the MMM, the challenges SAA activists and organisers face, and the communication strategies they use to negotiate the MMM through their activism. Oral history methods and critical thematic analysis are used to elicit and analyse personal …

The Region In Motion In The Road Movie Patay Na Si Hesus (2016), Mary Anne D.C. Mallari

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

Utilizing the theories of Bakhtin’s dialogism, Hall’s cultural identity, and Gidden’s globalization, this article analyzes the Cebuano regional road movie Patay na si Hesus (2016). The road film genre reveals that the Philippine regions have a diverse identity, as shown in the image of the regional landscapes and unconventional characters. The use of camera techniques such as the traveling shot and other related styles reveals a dialogue among the diverse cultures of the regions. Furthermore, the image of the automobile in road movies and its mobility also illustrate that the regions combine an image of tradition and modernity as they …

The Asian Five Dragons: What’S The Relationship Of Confucianism And Gender Inequality?, Danny S. Craddock

Student Publications

Confucianism is not only a historically important belief system, but it also continues to be rooted in many societies today, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. The growing influence of some of these Confucian-ingrained societies on the international stage justifies expanding the limited literature present on Confucianism and its societal implications. Using a conceptualization of heavily influenced Confucian societies previously set out by earlier research, this paper evaluates the validity of the common age-old assumption that Confucianism is correlated with greater gender inequality, as determined by the World 2016 dataset. Specifically, research suggests that the opposite correlation might just as …

White Saviorism Zine, Bree Finnegan

Student Zines

I am interested in the topic of dominant caste, Savarna, saviorism toward Dalit women and White saviorism towards Black women.

I am going to explain what saviorism looks like for Black women and then what saviorism looks like for Dalit women. I will then compare the two and show the similarities between them. I am also going to provide the reasons why saviorism is bad and how to detect it.

I want you, readers, to understand that these two communities may seem very different, because one is about race and one is about caste, but they are actually very similar …

Lakas Ng Feministang Makabayan Laban Sa Patriyarkang Diktadurya Ng Imperyo: Pagsubok Sa Interpretasyon Ng Dekada ’70 Ni Lualhati Bautista (The Power Of Nationalist Feminism Against The Empire’S Patriarchal Dictatorship: Toward An Interpretation Of Lualhati Bautista’S Dekada ’70 ), E. San Juan Jr.

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

Ang Dekada ’70 ay dokumentong historikal at mala-alegorikong testimonya ng karanasan ng medya-klaseng taga-lungsod noong panahon ng diktaduryang Marcos. Nakakintal sa salaysay ng isang ina-asawa, Amanda Bartolome, ang pakikipagsapalaran ng kolektibong memorya at pag-asa. Sa realistikong pagsasadula ng ideolohiya ng maternidad, nilikha ni Bautista ang isang maramdaming salaysay ng pagpupunyagi ng ina/asawang isagawa ang ritwal ng malayang pag-asal na sumusuri sa patriyarkong awtoridad at imperyalistikong gahum. Gamit dito ang konsepto ng kontradiksiyon ng publiko-pribadong paghahati sa lipunan upang linawin ang diyalektika ng politikang seksuwal sa pagitan ng kalayaang personal at pagsisilbing pampamilya. Hinahamon ng proyekto ni Bautista na gawing makabayan …

Vedantic Basis And Praxis Of The Integral Advaita Of Sri Aurobindo, Debashish Banerji

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

The integral nondualism of Sri Aurobindo can be traced to the great pronouncements (mahāvākya) of the Upanishads and later commentaries. This study examines teachings on the Supermind (vijñāna) and the other four kinds of consciousness that define human reality: Matter (annaṃ), Life (prāṇaḥ), Mind (manaḥ), and Bliss (ānanda). Through Yoga and Tantra, one learns and embodies the pathway to the divine.

Digital And Spatial Humanities Mapping: Eurasia-Pacific Early Trade And Belief Linkages, Igor Sitnikov, David Blundell

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

The Eurasia-Pacific is a dynamic region of rapid economic growth, cultural awareness, natural resource exploration, and military buildup. The concept of the region is relatively new, featuring contested vast areas of geo-resource space of numerous cultures and languages. The current findings in anthropology and archaeology and even its more specific subfields such as folklore are important contribution to the understanding of periodic environmental changes and technical innovations were the main forces of transformations in social structures that have determined the mechanisms and levels of cross-cultural trade activity across the region. We have traced early trade and belief linkages across Eurasia-Pacific …

Tusha Hiti: The Origin And Significance Of The Name, Deepak Shimkhada

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

In this article, the author examines the royal bath called Tushā Hiti located in Sūndari Chowk (Beautiful Courtyard) of Pātan Durbar Square, using six different methods of investigation. The question: What is in a name? started the ball of investigation rolling and along the way were added more supporting blocks such as history, iconography, function and purpose, notion of purity and impurity, and finally the hiti in popular culture to get a complete picture of the subject in question.

Ganges In Indian Sculpture And Literature: Mythology And Personification, Nalini Rao

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

The river Ganges is a symbol of wealth, purity and eternity, and its sacred waters have inspired sages, philosophers, and artists in India who have immortalized its divine imagery. However, it has rarely been understood from a historical point of view, as to how it became so sacred and to view it from a multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary perspective with an accumulation of layers of historical thought and practices, provides a rationale for the living practices around the river. The paper explores the evolution of the concept of sacredness and eternity of River Ganges through art- historical and archaeological evidence. It …

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion: Perspectives From Contemporary India And 6th Century Jain Yoga, Christopher Key Chapple

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

Times New Roman

Ang Boys’ Love Bílang Papausbong Na Telebiswalidad (Boys’ Love As Emerging Televisuality), Louie Jon A. Sánchez

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

Sa sanaysay na ito, pinahahalagahan ang sandali ng pag-usbong ng mga boys’ love webserye sa panahon ng pandemya. Sinusulit nito ang telebiswal na penomeno sa pamamagitan ng pahapyaw na pag-uugat sa mga minumulang tradisyon o impluwensiya; sa pagsasakonteksto ng paglaganap nito; sa pangkabuuang pagbása sa nagkakaisang salaysay ng mga serye; at sa pagtukoy sa mga transgresyong tinutupad nito sa anyo at kagawian ng panonood ng teleserye, at sa pangkalahatan, sa telebisyong patuloy na umaagapay sa mga hámon at pagbabago ng kalakaran. Sa kasaysayan ng teleserye at ng telebisyong Filipino, pinangangatwiranang mahalaga ang sandali ng BL sa gitna ng pandemya dahil …

Bi-Phasic Dissonance In Some Pinoy Boys’ Love Series, Gary C. Devilles

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

The growing fascination with Pinoy Boy’s Love (BL) series, such as Gameboys, Hello Stranger, and Quaranthings can be construed as part of the long struggle of LGBTQI community for more inclusivity as most of its fans were also fans of Thai Boy’s Love series called “lakhon,” according to scholar Thomas Baudinette who studied that Pinoy fan sites actively appropriate or “creatively misread” these series. My paper now would like to follow up on the efficacy of these reparative readings in Pinoy BL series, if the creative misreading in Thai BL series can be carried over to their Pinoy …

Womanunulat: Popular Critical Writing As Performance, Katrina Stuart Santiago

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

This essay discusses the exclusionary principles of the literary establishment in the Philippines using the lens of labor, given critical writing as practice, and gender as performance. It maps out a personal and professional history of writing that is intricately tied to the various voices of other women writing, across different forms, and throughout Philippine history, where women have shown that at the heart of this practice, and at the core of this performance, is freedom.

The Writing Of State Of Happiness: Writing The Archipelago, Clarissa V. Militante

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

A novelist’s main task is to re-imagine and re-present worlds, re-construct time and space, create new novel forms. But there are three things that a novelist resists as much as they can. A novelist would rather not talk about their own work, as it should not be upon them to interpret what they wrote. For this writer, it should be intentions, not meanings, that should matter. Second, to tell the story of how one began and wrote their novel is also something to be avoided if one can, unless as Umberto Eco said it could help enlighten others in terms …

Precarity And Motherhood In Philippine Trans Cinema, Mikee Inton-Campbell

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

In this short essay, I reflect on representations and themes in trans cinema in the Philippines. I examine the emerging and intersecting themes of precarity and motherhood in two recent films –Rod Singh’s Mamu and a Mother too (2018), and Isabel Sandoval’s Lingua Franca (2020). I look at how economic and social precarity tends to pervade the lives of trans women, and how transness itself becomes a form of precarity under the legal system’s lack of accommodation to trans rights. I also examine trans motherhood and make the argument that while it destabilizes biology as the root of motherhood, it …

Lesbian-Essaying Through Textual In(Ter)Ventions In Memoir, Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

In this exegetical essay, I show how I have deployed linguistic and non-linguistic strategies in the writing of my memoir in order to make my lesbian identity as a writer visible on the page without explicitly stating it. Using the theoretical ideas of Teresa de Lauretis and Nicole Brossard, I assert that a non-conventional approach to the writing of memoir is how a lesbian writer can challenge heteronormative writing standards, particularly in the Philippine literary system, within which I had allowed myself to be molded in my past writing practice. Some of these textual in(ter)ventions—both inventions and interventions—are narrative structure, …

Gendered Negotiation Of Space: A Study On Gender And Mobility Among Transgender Persons In Pakistan, Sana Illahe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transgender persons, known as khwaja sira in Pakistan, have historically been marginalized and excluded from various spatial domains, as they do not fit the societal norms of binary gender. They are subject to gender discipline by the Pakistani society to coerce them into conforming to the social norms. This research study uses in-depth interviews and applies grounded theory in conjunction with Michel Foucault’s concept of discipline to explore how khwaja sira are subject to societal discipline in Pakistan. The discipline ranges from tacit to overt forms, including verbal and sexual harassment. Khwaja sira are disciplined within their families, in formal …