What happens when a voice does not transition with the body? In Rumi's Riaz Room, nothing is as it seems.Having grown up learning Hindustani classical music, Rumi begins experimenting within its structures, when his gender and sexual identity begins to change. Rumi's Riyaz is rebellious and playful, genre and gender fluid. His voice reveals the characters of Raagas- as a jealous lover, a close friend, an elusive teacher. Tune in to listen to what Noorie discovers in Rumi's Riaz Room!

Rumi Harish is a trans man, musician, writer , playwright and painter. He has worked in social justice movements on gender and sexuality for the last 23 years. After years of being an activist and a committed musician, his therapist recommended he take up painting, as a way to express himself, during a period of transition for his voice. Over the years he has formed an inseperable relationship between painting and music. Rumi is deeply involved in developing queer and trans cultures of art and culture.

****

Concept: Ekta & Angarika, maraa a media & arts collective

Voice of Noorie: Ekta & Angarika

Recordings: Gaurav Krishna & Ishan Gupta

Sound design: Gaurav Krishna & Advik Swamy

Design Concept: Ekta

Design & Illustrations: Thara Thomas

Video Podcast: Malavika Mishra

Production Support: Team Maraa

With support from Goethe Institut Max Mueller Bhavan