Workshops


Growing up, we find pleasure and wonderment with our own bodies. But with that, we also become aware of the distinctions: how and who to desire, notions of what is beautiful and ugly, and how to see bodies – be it our own or those of others. Come join us to explore this paradox with ‘I Like My Body, But…’ a workshop with Pramada Menon, where she will remind us that bodies are meant to be fun things to have!  Speaking out about the body has historically been a queer and feminist way of resisting the policing of desire. Apart from the questions: how do we think about our bodies in relation to our genders or sexualities and how we create ideals about the body, let's consider the ways via which we house pleasure and pain in them. In ‘What’s Hot, What’s Not and Why?’ a workshop with Jaya Sharma, question the existing norms about the body and how it mixes both pleasure and pain. Finally, let loose in Salsa With Subbu and enjoy the body you have! 
Workshops are free and open to all! If you want to participate in any of the workshops, please write to us at contact@nigah.org or call 9654979742 to register.

I Like My Body But...
with Pramada Menon
12 Nov, 10:00am  to 6:00 pm
Abadi Art Space
F213/A First Floor, Lado Sarai  
Bodies are meant to be fun things to have - you can play with them, desire them, dictate terms to them and in some ways they define who you are. And yet, its those very same bodies that we despise, that we have issues with, that we want to change - essentially we want what we do not have. So who defines for us what we "should" have? What or whose is a desirable body? Can we challenge the notion of body itself and add some complexity to desire, play and all else? Let the conversation begin, November 12, 2011

What's Hot, What's Not and Why?
with Jaya Sharma
22 Nov, 6 to 9 pm
Abadi Art SpaceF213/A First Floor, Lado Sarai
As people who challenge mainstream society's norms related to gender and sexuality, this workshop will provide an opportunity for us to interrogate our own notions of whats 'ok' and what's 'no way', what's 'hot' and what's 'yuck', in other words norms that we ourselves might or might not subscribe to. We know that its not just the 'big. bad 'society 'out there' that has and enforces notions of right and wrong, we all do and there are also reasons why we might have such notions - reasons which are not merely personal, but also social. There is a need to continuously reflect on our own ideas related to sexuality in order that we may be able to broaden our horizons and realm of possibilities and also so that those who are seen to be challenging our norms are not stigmatized by us.Three such themes that the workshop will be addressing are promiscuity, bisexuality and kink/Bondage, Domination, Sado Masochism. The workshop will be interactive in nature, triggered by sexy questions guaranteed to make you tingle.

The Solo Show Project presents
I Don’t Need Your Help
By Manmeet Devgun
Abadi Art Space
F213/A First Floor, Lado Sarai
11 Nov to 3 Dec 2011
Manmeet has been trying to locate herself as a woman with all sundry identities and her own experiences within the ‘expected’ norms of society, through her work spanning various media. Curated by Jose Abad
Preview                  10 Nov 2011, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Performance           7: 00 to 7: 30 pm

Salsa with Subbu! 
Wednesday 23rd November 2011
6 pm slot or 7.30 pm slot.
The Attic, Regal building, Connaught Place, New Delhi 
(above People Tree shop) Rajiv Chowk is the nearest metro station.
Come and join us for this fun salsa class ‘queer style’!!
Even if you have never taken a salsa class before, this will be a great way of learning, having fun and getting into the groove of this sexy latino dance! Subbu will teach you the basics of salsa, fun and easy moves, music & timing, plus a lot more!
So, bring along a partner of your choice, or pair up with someone before the class, or be the coolest by dancing with your imaginary partner(s) and keeping everyone guessing! 
Due to space constraints, the class will be first come first served, 8 pairs max. There will be two sessions, so you can choose which one you would like: 6 pm slot or 7.30 pm slot.
Subashish Mandal caught the dancing bug at age eight and since then there has been no looking back…only twists, twirls, dips and that kind of thing! Focusing on Salsa, cha cha , merenge and bachata for the last eight years, he has also been part of the Salsa India Dance Company, Delhi for many years!

About Nigah

Nigah is a non-funded queer collective that works on issues of gender and sexuality. Apart from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, we understand queer to be any identity, politics or process that challenges dominant norms. Based in Delhi since 2003, we try to create inclusive and safe queer spaces using media, workshops and discussions. We organise events each month and entry to all the events is free.

Email: contact@nigah.org
The Nigah Queerfest: www.thequeerfest.com (annual event)