Ramii Studio

Abhi Chinniah shares her thoughts on colourism

In this special episode, Abhi Chinniah chats with Dr Anna Ponnampalam, Amalen Sathanthar, Ranisha Chand, Stephany Balogh, Suveen Sanis Walgampola and Tenisha Kumar. Join them as they discuss the shift in media representation of dark-skinned people, what it felt like not seeing people that looked like them celebrated in pop culture and how they came to learn about the word colourism. This episode is part one of a three-part series.

Neha Saigal has experience spanning 13 years across influencing policy in agriculture and nutrition, designing social accountability models and leading multi-disciplinary teams. She has worked extensively in Odisha, co-designed the Odisha Nutrition Action Plan with Government of Odisha and has facilitated government-working committees on nutrition. Neha and I also talk about her time in Delhi during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her years living in New Zealand as a migrant. 

This episode is audio from Abhi Chinniah's photo series Melanin Rising. This exhibition looks at colourism, skin discrimination, the use of skin-lightening products and media representation of dark-skinned people. At the core of Melanin Rising sits an important message, love your melanin. 

This episode is audio from Abhi Chinniah's photo series Melanin Rising. This exhibition looks at colourism, skin discrimination, the use of skin-lightening products and media representation of dark-skinned people. At the core of Melanin Rising sits an important message, love your melanin. 

Shailee shares how she keeps her culture alive in Aotearoa for Abhi's exhibition A Migrant's Path

Experience sweet beats by Karnan Saba ft Sangeet Mishra. Made exclusively for Abhi's exhibition, A Migrant's Path Karnan drew inspiration from Abhi's collection of portraits in the show.

Sophia shares how she keeps her culture alive in Aotearoa for Abhi's exhibition A Migrant's Path

Ravnit shares how she keeps her culture alive in Aotearoa for Abhi's exhibition A Migrant's Path

Jasmin shares how she keeps her culture alive in Aotearoa for Abhi's exhibition A Migrant's Path