Facilitated by Aqui Thami and Himanshu S.

Part of Methods series

Start with understanding that we are looking at printed material, physical material, simple old-school zines, so although the word "zine" might get used by a lot of people these days as it sounds "cool", most of these new ventures, as good as they are, are either just online blogs, design books, or proper magazines.

Zines might not really have boundaries, but "blogs" are blogs, "magazines" are magazines; let’s not take away from the immense possibilities of zines by mixing them up. In fact, this is one of the most difficult things about the "zine scene" in India. So-called ‘radical’ we celebrate today is at best working close to the limitations set by our cultural/political environment; it always operates within that allowance. We all old-timers know that so much is missing.

The contradictions inherent in anti-art ideals, existential and productive needs, and establishment pressures imposed upon successful non-mainstream art have already sunk some of us into the mire of marginal living, and as with many other ‘underground’ activities of the past, even we may ultimately disappear. Yet, as someone who has indulged in making zines for more than fifteen years, I persistently hope that more and more makers will all come together more often with more wholesome sharing with all levels of society, hence putting out a varied range of voices, not just to all levels but also created by all levels of society.

Artist Bio

Aqui Thami is an Indigenous artist based in the Netherlands and India. Her work, rooted in DIY culture and ceremonial practice, transforms spaces and dialogues. As the founder of Sister Library, Sister Radio, and Sister Press, Aqui elevates feminist and Indigenous narratives, creating vibrant platforms for expression. Her impactful ceremonial interventions, including "töng" and "Breathing with My Baje", recontextualise art as a medium for communal healing and resilience. Through the Dharavi Art Room and Bombay Underground, Aqui fosters collaborative empowerment, crafting narratives that challenge, inspire, and resonate globally.

Himanshu S., although trained as a painter, has mostly worked in public spaces and participatory community projects. He is at ease with kids and loves indulging in self-publishing and interventions in public and private spaces. With Aqui Thami and consistent support from friends, we operate ‘Bombay Underground’ and ‘Dharavi Art Room’. He also founded and runs the Bombay Zine Library and Fluxus Chapel. As Bombay Underground, he organised an exhibition titled ‘You Deserve to DIY – a Celebration of Zine Culture’ in 2017 at Chatterjee and Lal Gallery in Mumbai.