Under the Brown Rainbow with Kashif Harrison

Manjusha and Govind Pillai on Devotion, Desire, and Brown Queer Dance at the Opera House

Fri, 22 May 2026 22:00:00 +1000

The Season 2 finale of Under the Brown Rainbow welcomes two guests: Manjusha (she/her) and Govind Pillai (he/him) – the producer and director-choreographer behind Temple of Desire, the boundary-pushing classical Indian dance work that sold out its Sydney Opera House season on 4–5 June 2026.

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, Manjusha and Govind unpack the world they've built with Karma Dance, a "sacred meets sensual" reimagining of Bharatanatyam that sits the classical form right next to queer and trans reality. They talk about reclaiming pre-colonial traditions that were "straight-washed" out of the art over 300 years of colonial influence, the lost poetry only now being translated, and why this work isn't an act of resistance but an act of love for the tradition itself.

We also hear about the long, latent journey of bringing personal queerness and artistic practice into congruence, the Mohiniyattam dance form as inherently trans, why art needs to lead social change (legislation alone can't move hearts), and what it means for brown queer storytelling to finally take the mainstage — followed by a closing-night party in the Opera House foyer with DJ Goddess Naavikaran.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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Tara Chandran on Bisexuality, Eldest Daughter Energy, and Finding the Queer Room

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000

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Episode 7 of Under the Brown Rainbow welcomes Tara Chandran – a Malaysian-born bisexual woman now living openly in Sydney with her wife and three cats. Her pronouns are she/her.

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, Tara opens up about moving to Sydney at 15 from Malaysia (where queerness is still illegal) and the seven years she spent in the closet – not because her family wouldn't accept her, but because being the eldest daughter in a South Asian family meant being a stickler for the rules and never wanting to rock the boat. She shares the moment she walked into the Queer Room on her uni campus, surrounded by rainbows, and felt "I'm home" before she'd even come out to herself.

We also talk about why bisexuality still gets a third or fourth hand in queer conversations; the misconceptions she's still pushing back against (no, it isn't a stepping stone); what changed when her dad asked, "What is this nonsense?"; and her advice for anyone watching from a country where coming out isn't safe – that choosing yourself isn't selfish and the peace on the other side is unmatched.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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Mohan Kumar on Coming Out, Coming Home, and Queer Joy

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +1000

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Episode 6 of Under the Brown Rainbow welcomes Mohan Kumar – a queer immigrant navigating coming out, breaking stereotypes, and building safer community spaces in Sydney. His pronouns are he/him.

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, Mohan shares his coming out journey – from years of believing he'd be ostracised, to choosing emigration as a path to live authentically, to finally telling his mum during a trip back to India. He talks about the relief of his sister's "You're my brother, end of story"; the layered process of his mum's "So what?" followed by months of patient conversations; and why coming out, in his experience, isn't a single event but a years-long unfolding.

We also talk about navigating life as a brown queer immigrant in Australia at a time when those identities feel increasingly under scrutiny; why he started running badminton, bouldering, and walking groups for queer South Asians (because not everyone wants the party scene); and the stereotype he most wants to break — that all our stories are sad. Plus a glimpse at his upcoming project, Coming Out, Coming Home: an audio series telling stories of culturally and linguistically diverse families who accepted their queer children.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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Nerissa Trindade on Layers, Lies, and Letting Yourself Be

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:00 +1000

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Episode 5 of Under the Brown Rainbow welcomes Nerissa Trindade — a neuro-transformational coach, speaker, bestselling author, and the force behind Speak for IMPACT. Their pronouns are they/them.

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, Nerissa opens up about growing up queer in Kolkata – bullied at a Catholic school with Irish nuns, told that everything about them was wrong, and spending 30 years living a version of themselves that everyone else had written. They share what it took to finally say "I can no longer live this lie," why they had to build an entire independent life before they felt safe enough to come out, and how discovering the concept of non-binary identity felt like finally being allowed to stop choosing.

We also talk about the energy we pour into not being ourselves, why brown queers so often tick every other box before exploring identity, and how Nerissa now channels all of it into coaching others to share their stories in their own authentic voice – because the version only you can offer is the one that matters.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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Kaisha Lux on Faith, Gender, and Writing Your Own Script

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 02:00:00 +1100

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Episode 4 of Under the Brown Rainbow welcomes Kaisha Lux – a writer, advocate, DJ, photographer, and filmmaker reflecting on trans life, family dialogue, and joy in the South Asian context. Her pronouns are she/they.

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, Kaisha opens up about growing up in a religious Gujarati family in Western Sydney, where gendered roles were strict and spirituality was central – and what it meant to realise she didn't fit any of the boxes she'd been given. She shares the two-year deliberation before starting hormones, why the Western "just do it" narrative around transition doesn't account for the weight of community and culture (or the misinformation that fuels fear in South Asian families) and how her brother became her first and fiercest ally.

We also talk about finding representation for the first time through another brown trans woman online, the gap in mental health support for trans South Asians in Australia, and why reconnecting with chai, Bollywood classics, and spirituality has been part of her healing – not something she had to leave behind.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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BT on Love Across Borders, the AIDS Crisis, and Good Vibrations

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +1100

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Episode 3 of Under the Brown Rainbow welcomes BT – a poet, artist, and beloved figure in Sydney's South Asian queer community whose story spans Kenya, London, and Australia across four decades.

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, BT shares a love story straight out of a Bollywood film – meeting his English partner at a members-only bar in London where you needed a tie to get in, the key left in an envelope, and the impossible choice between love and family obligation. He also opens up about living through the AIDS crisis as a brown queer man in 1980s Sydney and London — the fear, the loss, and how his partner helped raise millions for those who had nowhere to turn.

We also hear about what it was like to be the only brown face in queer spaces for decades, why he never formally came out to his mother (but she knew everything anyway), and his philosophy on vibrating good energy as the foundation for everything else.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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Dilz Prasad on Culture, Gossip, and Being Unapologetically Yourself

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +1100

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Episode 2 of Under the Brown Rainbow welcomes Dilz Prasad — a first-gen Australian, Fijian Indian, queer, non-binary community radio host who wears many hats (and rocks the short hair to prove it).

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, Dilz opens up about growing up in Western Sydney's tight-knit Fijian Indian community, where everyone knows everyone — and everyone has opinions. They share what it was like to be outed through community gossip, the ten-year journey of conversations with their parents, and why resilience, gratitude, and humility are the recipe for being yourself when the world around you isn't sure it's ready.

We also talk about what it means when your culture feels more conservative than the homeland it came from, why your nani might be your greatest ally without ever saying a word, and how representation through community media can quietly shift what a community believes is possible.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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Onir on Queer Cinema, Censorship, and Choosing Hope

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +1100

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Episode 1 kicks off the relaunch of Under the Brown Rainbow with filmmaker Onir — director of the landmark queer love story We Are Faheem and Karun.

In this conversation with host Kashif Harrison, Onir reflects on growing up without the language or representation to name queerness, and why telling our stories — with honesty and heart — can shift culture in unexpected ways. He shares what it meant to screen queer cinema in Kashmir, why audiences didn’t “walk out,” and how film can reach people across borders, generations, and families.

We also talk craft: what makes a story land, how to start creating without waiting for permission, and why you don’t need fancy gear to begin — sometimes an iPhone and a truth is enough.

Under the Brown Rainbow is hosted by Kashif Harrison and produced by Kunal Mirchandani. Presented by Trikone Australia.

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This is Us - A Couple of Drags

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 07:00:00 +1100

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In this season finale episode of Under The Brown Rainbow, host Kashif Harrison sits down with the dazzling duo Dolly Partman and Shiela Dickshit—a culturally diverse couple with a shared passion for drag. Yes, you read that right!

Dolly and Sheila share how they’ve perfected the art of drag together and reflect on their journey witnessing Sydney's brown queer community thrive with Trikone Australia. They also address the growing negative narratives targeting the LGBTQIA+ drag community.

Recorded during Pride Month earlier this year, this unforgettable episode is about freedom, companionship, and the pure joy of being unapologetically QUEER.

Tune in for a story as vibrant and captivating as the rainbow itself. This is Dolly Partman and Shiela Dickshit making their podcast debut Under The Brown Rainbow.

Watch the complete episode on:

Kashif's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KashifHarrison
Trikone Australia's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrikoneAustralia

Follow our queens on:

Instagram @dollypartman
Facebook - Shiela Dickshit

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Leadership in Allyship

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +1100

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In this episode, host Kashif Harrison sits down with Rev. Radhika Sukumar-White, Minister and Team Leader at Leichhardt Uniting Church in Sydney, Australia, to explore the role of faith in allyship. Together, they discuss how allies can amplify LGBTQI+ voices, foster inclusive and safe spaces, and provide essential emotional and practical support to those facing rejection or isolation.

Rev. Radhika shares her journey as a South Asian ally, growing up in a Sri Lankan Tamil community in 1990s Canberra, and how it shaped her perspective. She highlights how her ministry in Sydney fosters a welcoming environment for LGBTQI+ individuals and offers insightful advice for those seeking acceptance in faith communities, emphasising the power of compassion and understanding in allyship.

Visit https://www.leichhardtuniting.org.au/ to follow all the wonderful work Rev.Radhika's ministry does. You can also subscribe to "As LUC Would Have It" podcast on any of your favourite podcast streaming platforms.

#RevRadhikaSukumarWhite

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Owning Your Most Authentic Self

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +1100

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In this episode, we’re diving into a story that resonates deeply within South Asian communities—a story of coming out, setting boundaries, and supporting parents along the way. Kashif sits down with Sheetal Deo, an Australian lawyer of Fijian Indian descent, a facilitator, and an advocate who also runs a law firm called Shakti Legal Solutions.

Sheetal shares her experiences with these complexities, from finding the courage to live her most authentic self to guiding her parents through the process with the help of her brother and even creating a support network for the rainbow community facing similar circumstances.

You can get in touch with Sheetal via her website: https://sheetaldeo.com/
Follow her on instagram @sheetaldeo

#SheetalDeo

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Under the Brown Rainbow - Trailer

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +1100

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Under the Brown Rainbow delves into the vibrant tapestry of the South Asian LGBTQI+ community.

In each episode, Kashif sits down with guests to share their stories, challenges, triumphs, and unique perspectives on navigating life Under the Brown Rainbow.

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Parenting in LGBTQI+ Families - Raising Meenakshi

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +1100

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In this heartfelt episode of Under the Brown Rainbow, host Kashif Harrison dives into the unique experiences of LGBTQI+ families raising children today. Kashif sits down with Vignesh Chandrashekaran, a content creator who, along with his partner Andrea Carboni, has captured the hearts of many through their Instagram account @dads.of.meenakshi. Their family, formed through surrogacy, is a testament to love and resilience.

Vignesh shares his journey as a South Asian gay dad raising a daughter in a multicultural household, shedding light on the joys, challenges, and cultural dynamics that shape their family life.

Tune in to hear his insights on building a loving, supportive environment, along with advice for LGBTQI+ couples looking to start their own rainbow families.

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Building Inclusive Communities with Trikone Australia

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +1000

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In the debut episode of "Under the Brown Rainbow," presenter Kashif Harrison sits down with the board members of Trikone Australia, a nonprofit organisation supporting LGBTQ+ individuals of South Asian descent. Join them as they discuss the organisation's history, mission, and impact on the community.

Hear personal stories of self-acceptance, the importance of creating inclusive spaces, and the power of art as a form of expression. Discover how Trikone Australia has fostered a sense of belonging among South Asian queer individuals and empowered them to live their best lives.

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