Sharif Ragnekar: Love Is Love Irrespective Of Gender On His Book Queer Sapien

Sharif Rangnekar has been candid about love and utterly straightforward about it in his books too. Rangnekar identifies himself as a gay man, and his latest book- Queersapien, explores his life experiences, meanings of love, personal beliefs, and trauma endured. In Straight To Normal, he sketches his life ventures as a gay man. For him, the book is a tool to express everything inside him courageously. The ending of his book is a poem that denotes- 'I'm done with lying'. 

Sharif Rangnekar spoke to Shethepeople on different shades of love. According to him, love is love irrespective of gender and the various construct of society needs to be questioned. He also feels, despite the marriage being a patriarchal institution, the marriage act in the constitution has certain rights, and the community is fighting for those rights. He elaborately discussed his book and what queerness is all about. 

Sharif Rangnekar's Book Queersapien

In the blurb of the book Queersapien, he says, "In its truest form, nature is queer, and queer is free. Nature is queer when water takes the form of oceans, lakes, rivers, rain, snow, steam, dew, and every other avatar it chooses and expresses itself through. Queerness lies in the consciousness that if left free, everyone becomes more rooted in their existence and stronger in their individuality. Queersapien is neither an individual's search for identity, nor is it a lamentation of societal prejudices. The book recognizes the fact that there are many ways to live."

Touching upon what inspired him to write these books, he said, "It is very personal, I wanted to question various constructs of society. These constructs are related to gender and gender stereotypes. We tend not to discuss sufficiently the various perspectives of women's rights. It remains in mainstream space only. The idea of success is restricted to economic success and not a choice of being. There is a comparison of Indra Nyooi with men, that's how her being is measured, Why? We do not talk about social constructs built around women."

Further giving an anecdote, he added, "My mother was a widow, she was made to feel like one. Who decides widows should act, feel, and be in a certain way? These social constructs need to be questioned. The self-actualization or self-awareness was clouded by these constructs. The book was a way to question it"

The books have a lot of taboo topics that are not discussed at length. Rangnekar's book discussed it all. From forbidden relationships to sexual arousal and more. His books have been thought-provoking and at the same time attracted criticism for being bold. Ragnekar put light on his vulnerabilities in the book and how people have been critical of it. 

He says, "It was a deep desire in me to do so. I had space and time set back to reflect right on my vulnerabilities. Although, I never thought of it from a vulnerable position and never thought about how people will receive my book."

"I boldly spoke about sex, scandalous relationships, arousal, crotches, and forbidden love. However, this led to depression as it was taking back in time. That was hurting me. Done with political correctness, but the book has a lot of politics, as when we talk about such subjects, your socioeconomic background cannot be left alone. I believe there are fucks and fuckups, let it be, nature is not entirely untouched, it is coming from somewhere. Also, those who want to read it then they will", adds Rangnekar. 

Moving on from his current book to his future books Rangnekar said, "I am not sure, what will I be working on next. Let's see what comes to me, but yes a book on current times and how media has been. 

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