In this episode of Zubaani we talk with full time writer and a full time model, Jyoti Rajan Gopal who dazzles the world with grace and gray hair. And importantly, we discuss, how do we break the European beauty standards and notions of what is pretty in our desi communities? What does it take to reclaim our self-worth and build safe spaces of belonging no matter how we look?

Guest author: Jyoti Rajan Gopal

Co-hosts: Upasna Kakroo & Salma Hussain

Produced by: ⁠Peerbagh⁠

Episode cover art: Niloufer Wadia

Research: Imtiaz Ali and Diksha Sharma

Supported by: The Very Asian Foundation

Books/media in the episode:

• TJ Powar has something to prove (Jesmeen Kaur Deo)
• What Color is the Baby? (Harshini Vankineni)
• Razia Sultan (Kamal Amrohi, 1983)
• Mississippi Masala (Mira Nair, 1991)
• Laxmi's Mooch (Shelly Anand)
• I am Kavi (Thushanthi Ponweera)
• If you're not the one (Farah Naz Rishi)
• Desert Queen & My Patti's Saris (Jyoti Rajan Gopal)