Every Pride Month, you will see a sudden sprouting of allies in every corner of the market. The incessant commercialisation of this month at times makes it feel like a festival of sorts. But the real celebration should be that of the stories, of the voices from the LGBTQIA+ community who otherwise have had to fight to be heard and seen. In India’s creative industry, a new generation of queer artists is fearlessly challenging conventions and carving out their own space. One such voice belongs to singer-songwriter Jay Anand, who rose to prominence with the title track of 'Loop Lapeta,' the 2022 action-comedy movie starring Taapsee Pannu.
With an honest and gentle demeanour, Anand speaks about music, identity, and the joy of self-discovery, especially in a country where such journeys are rarely straightforward. Read excerpts from the exclusive interview below.