<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jan/Collection-1.jpg" alt="" />
The Bhopal gas tragedy, Savitribai Phule, children from marginalised communities, street fashion, xeroxwallahs, the ABC of anarchy: think of a topic and you will discover that a zine has been probably created on it.
This weekend, at the 1st Bombay Zine Fest, you can peruse zines on these topics and more. The two-day event will showcase independently published literature, comic books, poetry, journalism, and drawings, and it promises to be a celebration of this form.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jan/The-Chapess.jpg" alt="" />
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always wanted to do a zine fest. I&rsquo;ve been making zines for 15 years. Last year, we tried to set up a library and reading space &mdash; a place where people can come to look at quality work from across the country. So, we thought of putting up an exhibition of some of the zines we like,&rdquo; says Himanshu S, co-founder of Bombay Underground Collective that&rsquo;s organising the event.
<img title="Aqui Thami and Himanshu S at the Underground Bookhouse" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jan/Aqui-Thami.jpg" alt="Aqui Thami and Himanshu S at the Underground Bookhouse" /> Aqui Thami and Himanshu S at the Underground Bookhouse
There will be zines from people across the country, besides England, USA, Australia and Spain. Look out for a Patti Smith fanzine, collaborative zines with women writers, a Safdar Hashmi zine, a DIY &lsquo;how-to&rsquo; guide, dialogues between couples, a work on food, Bhagat Singh fan zine, and even one about women narrating stories about their periods. &ldquo;We had put out a submission call in October. We have over 120 zines on a good range of personal and random pieces covering art, culture and activism. These zines include our own works, those from our collection and books we&rsquo;ve found interesting,&rdquo; adds Himanshu.
While most submissions were accepted, Himanshu adds that they ensured there was no racism, sexism or homophobia in the stories.
The final plan is to create a library of zines from across India, and the world. They&rsquo;ve also put out a call for help, for people to either host the fest or contribute towards hosting it in other cities.
What is a zine? It is a small-circulation self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced using a photocopier, printing press or just paper and pen. Zines draw inspiration from a DIY philosophy or ethic, and can be one-of-a-kind, collectible art.

This weekend, a unique fest will promote zines, and stir up conversation around them

Magazines from the underground

Photo-exhibition in Mumbai on Mahatma Gandhi by his grandnephew Kanu Gandhi

This weekend, a unique fest will promote zines, and stir up conversation around them

Zines from the underground

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