Charan Singh: Your Tongue in My Mouth

Across South Asia, gender fluidity and sexual diversity have deep histories that have often been obscured and overlooked. Your Tongue in My Mouth examines how British colonial rule imposed rigid controls on gender expression and intimacy in India, criminalising long-established third gender, queer and trans communities.

Charan Singh’s new portraits of Hijra, Kothi and trans people centre their agency as individuals and their shared histories; drawing on long-standing relationships Singh formed through more than two decades of HIV/AIDS advocacy and community organising. These new portraits affirm ways of belonging that existed long before colonialism, acknowledging the sitters’ right to define how they are seen, represented and understood.