Sharif is an author; communications consultant; a curator focused on diversity, inclusion, music and arts, and a singer – songwriter. With over 25 years of experience in the fields of media, publishing, research and public relations, he uses talks, writing, event curation and music, to advocate change and garner support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The various hats he wears and the roles he plays, led him to create the Rainbow Lit Fest – Queer & Inclusive, of which he is the Festival Director. He is also the curator of Embrace: Music Justice Arts and the frontman of the band – Friends of Linger.
His book, Straight to Normal – My Life As A Gay Man, released early 2019, is amongst the few queer memoirs out of India and the first since the reading down of Section 377. The book has featured in best-selling lists and been recognised by not just sections of the media but by leaders from the fields of academics, politics, human rights, literature and films. more…
Straight to normal is the autobiography of a gay man who had to battle bouts of confusion, vulnerability, fear, dejection and depression and also unlearn the normative definition of lust, love and everything in between, in order to thwart the desire to kill himself and find a reason to live.
Through the twists and turns of hate and affection, love and break-ups, violence and near peace, he finally finds the courage to speak for himself and others like him.
Friends of Linger is a mixed-genre #Indie band based out of New Delhi. Built around a number of session artists and collaborations, the set up focuses primarily on lyrics and the purpose of a track.
The front-man of the band is the author, writer, former journalist and communications consultant, Sharif D Rangnekar. He believes greatly in the power of music and lyrics to tell stories and raise issues that often go unheard or aren’t addressed sufficiently by the media.
The band came on the scene in December 2013 with Head Held High – India’s first dedication to the LGBT+ community. Three years later, it’s second track – Miss You – a same-sex ballad, ran into rough weather with the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) that sought a ten-second cut in the music video. After a four month tussle and after its appeal to the Appellate Tribunal, the band won the case recording of history of sorts for the LGBT+ movement in India. more…
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