5.29 Shastri & Jai: Redefining Gender Stereotypes in Indian Diasporic Writing

In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we will shine a spotlight on two compelling contemporary voices each month, individuals who are reshaping the landscape of Indian literature. In this special episode of Books & Beyond, Tara and Michelle talk to two Indian diasporic writers – Shastri Akella and Jai Chakrabarti, about their books that break the mold of conventional storytelling and offer nuanced perspectives on gender stereotypes. Being Indian writers based out of the US, how do they explore themes of gender, sexuality, and identity in their works? How do they challenge the stereotypes and expectations of Indian culture and society? How do they celebrate the diversity and complexity of the LGBTQ+ community in India and beyond?They discuss Shastri’s “The Sea Elephants” – a queer coming-of-age novel about a young man ‘Shagun’ who joins a street theater troupe and discovers his feminine side. And Jai’s “A Small Sacrifice for an Enormous Happiness” – a collection of stories that explore family, culture, and identity across borders, featuring characters who defy gender norms and embrace their true selves. Tune in to have your perspectives challenged! Book mentioned in this episode : The God Of Small Things by Arundhati RoyYoung Mungo by Douglas StuartThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael ChabonThe Gathering by Anne EnrightClose to Home by Michael MageeThe Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. TolkeinAuthors mentioned in this episode : Salman Rushdie Fareed ZakariaAanchal MalhotraBernard MalamudMichael Cunningham Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniProduced by Aishwarya JawalgekarSound edit by Kshitij JadhavApplications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.