Chennai, Kolkata and Kochi: How Three Indian cities celebrated Pride

Pride fever is over in India and three Indian cities held queer pride marches in the last two months. While Chennai held the 6th Rainbow Pride on 29th June, Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk was held on 13th July. Kochi hosted the 5th Kerala Queer Pride on 26th July.

Here’s a look at how pride in these cities turned out to be:

Chennai

The march began from Egmore, Rajarathnam Stadium.

Holding the flag high. Courtesy: Shankar Ganesh

Holding the flag high. Courtesy: Shankar Ganesh

People gathered, and urged others to join too.

Chennai Pride 2014

Photo credit: Michael George

Some came with friends

Pic Courtesy: Michael George

Photo credit: Michael George

Some wore masks

Chennai Pride 2014

Photo credit: Michael George

While this couple came all the way from Bangalore

Pic Courtesy: Michael George

Photo credit: Michael George

It started raining

Pic Courtesy: Michael George

Photo credit: Michael George

But no one really cared about the rain

Pic Courtesy: Michael George

Photo credit: Michael George

Chennai Pride 2014

Photo credit: Michael George

Chennai Pride 2014

Photo credit: Michael George

And this sums up the message at the pride

Making a statement. Courtesy: Shankar Ganesh

Making a statement. Courtesy: Shankar Ganesh

 

Kolkata

The oldest pride march in India saw its 13th edition this year. The walk started from Triangular Park and was preceded by heavy rain fall.

Rain lashed the city but not the Annual Pride Walk in Kolkata.

Rains lashed the city but not the Annual Pride Walk in Kolkata.

But the rainbow flag was held high

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo credit: Kaustav Manna

And close to 1200 people participated

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo credit: Kaustav Manna

They carried posters

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo credit: Kaustav Manna

 

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo credit: Kaustav Manna

There was a larger participation from college going youth this time

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo credit: Kaustav Manna

The walk was themed around the right for both gender and sexual expressions.

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo credit: Kaustav Manna

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo credit: Kaustav Manna

Pic courtesy: Kaustav Manna

Photo Credit: Kaustav Manna

Kochi

The 5th Kerala Queer Pride was held in Kochi for the first time. It saw a massive attendance of over 500 people.

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

People painted their face in support

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Trans activist Kalki Subramaniam too attended the pride

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

And so did Arvind Narrian -well known lawyer of Alternate Law Forum, Bangalore

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

The theme for this year was: Breaking the Silence

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

And as the rainbow flag unfurled

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

There were a lot of happy faces

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

A bikers gang

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

Photo credit: Surjith S Pai Photography

And of course, SELFIES

Kerala Queer Pride 2014

Kerala Queer Pride 2014

 

 

Sukhdeep Singh