Ratri
A Literary Magazine
Look out for our First Issue!
About Us & Our Mission
What is Ratri?
Ratri (raa-three), the Sanskrit word for night, ultimately signifies and describes the restful time of day, when the stars are brighter, the moon rises, and one’s imagination slips into a peaceful world. Ratri serves to spotlight South Asian creatives, including those of the diaspora. As a literary magazine, Ratri is dedicated to the upliftment of South Asian writers and artists, who are often ignored by traditional publishing and media, pigeonholed into a monolith of what it means to be ‘South Asian.’ We hope to push beyond the stereotypical and the presumed. Even more, we hope to shine a light on those who feel relegated to see their art as nothing more than a dream, only to be visited in the dark of the night.
About Us!
How did Ratri come about? Who is it for?
Ratri grows from witnessing a true night sky, one that is illuminated by millions of stars. There is a hopeful way forward in the sky above, in the burning stars. Ratri stretches outward, vast and uncontained, holding within itself a beautiful, unrealized possibility. The night sky is endless and alive with light.
Here, we see the potential for South Asian writers and artists – those whose work exists across languages, borders, and histories. Ratri makes space for this brilliance, believing that when we learn to see the full sky, we also learn how to move forward within it.
What do we hope to accomplish?
Ratri is committed to championing emerging South Asian poets, writers, and artists. We seek out work that is daring and deeply felt. We aim to be the magazine readers turn to when looking for meaningful new voices from across the South Asian diaspora. We publish with intention, with the hope of amplifying and honoring voices often forgotten. Ratri exists to bridge a gap – to pay close attention and to insist upon a permanent, expansive place for South Asian creatives in the literary and artistic landscape.