A non-comforming tool of self-expression, zine is gaining the eyes, hearts, and creative minds of people. Zines, the self-published mini work often in the form of a photocopied, folded or stapled booklet, brimming with creativity have found a vibrant niche in India's artistic landscape. Zines are a powerful tool for social commentary and activism.
Issues like body positivity, caste, gender, sexuality, environmental concerns, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness find a space for exploration and discussion alongside explorations of music, art, and personal narratives. Zines in various Indian languages, beyond just English, ensure wider accessibility of voices and stories. Pearl D’Souza, a Mumbai-based illustrator and visual artist, says, “When printing was expensive and inaccessible and the publishing space was closed off, people began to make zines to spread ideas and messages to their communities in a way that allowed them to be uncensored and free.
” Making zines today has become a lot easier but will always remain relevant as it allows artists, writers, creators to still access that freedom of speech and thought. Whether printed or handcrafted, zine liberates people to follow their creative thoughts intuitively on sheets of paper. From literary zines, prezine, fanzines, political zines to making it comical, there are no rules and boundaries like any other artistic expression.
Pearl loves per-zine or personal zines. She says, “Perzines talk about the artist's li.
