17.06.2025
Student Parmeet Singh created a safe space for the deaf community to express themselves in their language.
Parmeet Singh, a 21-year-old student of psychology and literature in Bengaluru, has established a book club that combines sign language and literature for the deaf community in India.
The club’s first Deaf Bookwave meetup was in Cubbon Park on 31 March. What began with nine members has now grown to over 27 readers. Information about the meetup was posted on Instagram, followed up by an invite to Bengaluru’s deaf community. The participants discussed books in Indian sign language, which helped them connect with the text and have a clearer perspective.
In a world of spaces designed for the hearing, Parmeet created a safe space for the deaf community to express themselves in their language. “Indian sign language is visual, emotional, and expressive. When we sign stories, we feel them deeply. Sign language brings stories to life in a way spoken or written words often cannot,” he said.
Parmeet opined that storytelling is a powerful tool because it touches the heart, and the community understands that they, too, count.
Reaching out
Many deaf people do not understand English properly, and Indian sign language is not widely used. Deaf Bookwave chooses books that highlight personal themes such as identity, healing, love, heartbreak, family, and self-growth.
“One powerful story was Warmth by Rithvik Singh. Many related themselves with the story as it matched the deaf experience of emotional depth, silence, and unspoken feelings. That moment made many participants cry,” Parmeet added.
Being a DODA (Deaf of Deaf Adults), Parmeet understands the community well. “This is not just about accessibility, but also a means to understand themselves better. At the end of the meetup, many participants said, ‘Wow, this touched me, my eyes are open now. ‘ Several people said that it helped to reflect themselves,” he stated.
Deaf Bookwave has an online presence. The platform on Instagram has gained a boost of over 3,700 followers in three months. The members make videos on Instagram in Indian sign language and post them with English captions, which helps those who can hear to understand the deaf closely and bridges the gap between both parties.
Thiruvananthapuram meet
Days before the club’s recent meetup in Thiruvananthapuram, Deaf Bookwave uploaded an Instagram video announcement and messaged a few friends from NISH (National Institute of Speech and Hearing), which brought together 18 people.
“At our Thiruvananthapuram meetup, a girl, Nihla, said she had never shared opinions in public before. But after the discussion, she said, ‘This changed me. I feel like I matter.’ That one sentence reminded me why Deaf Bookwave must exist,” Parmeet added.
With many people requesting meetups in their respective cities, he plans to expand the club to Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad. “I want Deaf Bookwave to be a pan-India deaf literary movement. One day, we may even have deaf authors, publishers, and storytelling festivals. I hope to
feature more deaf authors telling their own stories. It’s more than books—it’s about building identity, self-love, and representation,” Parmeet further said.
“I want spaces where everyone is safe, and each voice is heard. I dream of adding poetry, story dramatisations, and children’s storytelling too,” Parmeet said, adding that he is looking forward to a deaf creative movement.
The club’s next meeting is on 22 June in Delhi, its first in North India.
Parmeet Singh, a 21-year-old student of psychology and literature in Bengaluru, has established a book club that combines sign language and literature for the deaf community in India.
The club’s first Deaf Bookwave meetup was in Cubbon Park on 31 March. What began with nine members has now grown to over 27 readers. Information about the meetup was posted on Instagram, followed up by an invite to Bengaluru’s deaf community. The participants discussed books in Indian sign language, which helped them connect with the text and have a clearer perspective.
In a world of spaces designed for the hearing, Parmeet created a safe space for the deaf community to express themselves in their language. “Indian sign language is visual, emotional, and expressive. When we sign stories, we feel them deeply. Sign language brings stories to life in a way spoken or written words often cannot,” he said.
Parmeet opined that storytelling is a powerful tool because it touches the heart, and the community understands that they, too, count.
Reaching out
Many deaf people do not understand English properly, and Indian sign language is not widely used. Deaf Bookwave chooses books that highlight personal themes such as identity, healing, love, heartbreak, family, and self-growth.
“One powerful story was Warmth by Rithvik Singh. Many related themselves with the story as it matched the deaf experience of emotional depth, silence, and unspoken feelings. That moment made many participants cry,” Parmeet added.
Being a DODA (Deaf of Deaf Adults), Parmeet understands the community well. “This is not just about accessibility, but also a means to understand themselves better. At the end of the meetup, many participants said, ‘Wow, this touched me, my eyes are open now. ‘ Several people said that it helped to reflect themselves,” he stated.
Deaf Bookwave has an online presence. The platform on Instagram has gained a boost of over 3,700 followers in three months. The members make videos on Instagram in Indian sign language and post them with English captions, which helps those who can hear to understand the deaf closely and bridges the gap between both parties.
Thiruvananthapuram meet
Days before the club’s recent meetup in Thiruvananthapuram, Deaf Bookwave uploaded an Instagram video announcement and messaged a few friends from NISH (National Institute of Speech and Hearing), which brought together 18 people.
“At our Thiruvananthapuram meetup, a girl, Nihla, said she had never shared opinions in public before. But after the discussion, she said, ‘This changed me. I feel like I matter.’ That one sentence reminded me why Deaf Bookwave must exist,” Parmeet added.
With many people requesting meetups in their respective cities, he plans to expand the club to Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad. “I want Deaf Bookwave to be a pan-India deaf literary movement. One day, we may even have deaf authors, publishers, and storytelling festivals. I hope to
feature more deaf authors telling their own stories. It’s more than books—it’s about building identity, self-love, and representation,” Parmeet further said.
“I want spaces where everyone is safe, and each voice is heard. I dream of adding poetry, story dramatisations, and children’s storytelling too,” Parmeet said, adding that he is looking forward to a deaf creative movement.
The club’s next meeting is on 22 June in Delhi, its first in North India.
No comments:
Post a Comment