dishoom-loves

Dishoom Loves Issue VI

This month we gathered together in east London for The Trailblazers – a Dishoom Presents event that shone the spotlight on three rule-breaking women (Rani Lakshmi Bai, Sophia Duleep Singh and Homai Vyarawalla), whose stories were often hidden between the pages of history.

We’re plugging in our headphones:—

To listen to historian William Dalrymple and writer-broadcaster Anita Anand discuss the life of Sophia Duleep Singh on the Empire podcast. The episode follows the Punjabi princess’ extraordinary life from a British society debutante to one of the suffragette movement’s most high-profile voices.

Get inspired

We’re diving deeper into:—

The life of Princess Sophia by reading Anita Anand’s book Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary. Within its 456 pages lies an inspiring story, with photographs of the princess-turned-suffragette’s family and life peppered in between. An ideal companion to a glass of piping hot chai.

Dive in

We’re deeply engrossed in:—

The story of India’s fearless warrior queen – Rani Lakshmi Bai – by way of the Amar Chitra Katha comic by two women, Mala Singh (author) and Hema Singh (illustrator). While bringing The Trailblazers event to life, our co-founder Shamil Thakrar fondly reminisced about his childhood trips to India where he came across issue No. 51 on the Rani of Jhansi. A bookshelf must-have.

Relive the legend

We’re watching:—

A thoughtful documentary based on India’s first female photojournalist, Homai Vyarawalla, who was often found wearing a sari, wielding her camera. Directed by filmmaker Monika Baker, Dalda 13 celebrates over three decades of Homai's work through moments in history, all captured by her trusty lens.

See through her lens

We’re recommending:—

All our friends – young and old – add to their reading list author Raj Kaur Khaira’s book featuring the inspirational stories of 50 South Asian women and their remarkable achievements. Supported by illustrations from South Asian artists like Vinny Soor, Suman Kaur and more, Stories for South Asian Supergirls is a heartwarming read and an ideal gift.

Get inspired

Dishoom x Manjit Thapp: The Trailblazers has arrived

We’re overjoyed to announce that our collaboration with Manjit Thapp is now sold out. Three most special T-shirts bearing a beautiful illustration of these trailblazing, rule-breaking woman from Indian history – proudly displaying warrior queen, Rani Lakshmi Bai, princess turned revolutionary, Sophia Duleep Singh, and India’s first female photojournalist, Homai Vyarawalla.

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