My first experience of being touched as a woman happened on a dusty Mumbai bus. It was horrible. I was 11 years old, off to school in my freshly-starched-and-pressed grey school uniform. An ‘uncle’ (all older men in India not related to you are ‘uncles’) smiled at me, then brazenly put his hand under my […]
Childless. Barren. The words sound awful, evoking images of shriveled-up women who’ve given up on life. I decided not to have kids. Not because I couldn’t. It just wasn’t for me. It was a decision I took in my early 30’s. It wasn’t so I that could focus on my career. It was just because…I
ON BILLBOARDS IN NEW YORK, LONDON, CARDIFF, DUBLIN & GLASGOW Winner of 6 British Podcast Awards & Spotify SoundUp Ep. 1 – Body & Burlesque “It was so emotional for me, in a good way. It was so beautiful to hear us women talk this way. Thank you. Thank you.” This theme of this episode
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The stories that took shape at our Masala Monologues® workshops over two years were shaped and transformed into these theatre performances. You’ll see for yourself how creating safe spaces where South Asian womxn can write their personal stories, from their culture – can be so powerful! “It’s the closest I’ve seen my identity represented on
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Soul Sutras collaborated with the University of Berkeley California to run a series of writing workshops with their South Asian female-identifying student community. We explored the taboos faced by South Asian American womxn. We talked about their cultural experiences around the themes of sex, sexuality, shame, body image, domestic violence & other taboo topics within
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What do you see when you stand naked in front of the mirror? I first see the lumps & bumps that I’m not happy with. The over-large tummy, the too-small breasts. Then, if I make the effort, I start to see the beauty in my body. I’m sure that’s the case with most women, in
Is your body bootylicious, baby? Read More »
Why are we so embarrassed about being naked? Millions of Japanese women don’t seem to be. On a recent trip to Japan, I discovered onsens. These hot springs are dotted all over Japan and as much part of a Japanese woman’s life as a manicure is among British women. This is how it works: you
Winner of multiple awards, considered a top feminist podcast Episode 1: Being a South Asian Woman Episode 2: Colourism in South Asian Culture Episode 3: Belonging in South Asian Culture Episode 4: Porn & South Asian Culture If you’re looking for ethical places to enjoy porn: Episode 5: Rape in South Asian Culture Episode 6:
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Several times over the last year – in fact, over the last decade – I have been told that I don’t look Asian, Indian or Sikh. Another common comment I receive is, “You look different”. Usually, I overlook remarks like this; I don’t worry myself with what others think of me. But since this was
Guest Blog: Not Asian Enough?- Tanya Vyas Read More »
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Soul Sutras in the press Times Radio The Guardian Sangeeta Pillai uses Masala Podcast to bring the issues affecting South Asian women to light.” BBC WOMAN’S HOUR Metro Cosmopolitan UK The Observer “Sangeeta Pillai is a one-woman powerhouse…” -MIRANDA SAWYER, THE OBSERVER The Guardian Masala Podcast & Sangeeta Pillai featured in the Guardian. “Sangeeta Pillai’s
“An urgent, radical piece of theatre & story telling…” Masala Monologues is a project based on real-life stories from South Asian womxn all over the world. These are stories that we haven’t had the space to tell yet. Stories from our culture, from our cultural languages. Stories not just about sex and sexuality but also
