Synopsis

​

Dear Aai is a heartfelt story told through 20 letters written by Surya, a young trans man, to his mother. The letters share his journey of growing up in a small village, struggling with his gender identity, and eventually leaving home to live life on his own terms.

​

Through these letters, Surya opens up about his childhood memories, the pain of being rejected by his family, and the challenges of navigating caste, gender, and societal expectations. He also writes about the love and support he has found in his chosen family and his journey toward accepting himself.

​

As the letters go on, Surya’s emotions shift from anger and sadness to hope and love. He reflects on his relationship with his mother, longing for her understanding and acceptance, while also finding ways to heal and grow.

​

Dear Aai is a moving story about family, identity, and the courage it takes to be yourself. It shows how love and understanding can help heal even the deepest wounds.

​

​

Artist's statement

​

Dear Aai is a heartfelt story about identity, memory, and belonging. Through letters written by Surya, a young trans man, this novel explores the challenges of navigating gender, caste, and family. 

​

At its core, Dear Aai is about reconciliation between a trans son and his mother, between past and present, and between self-acceptance and society’s expectations. Surya’s letters are honest and emotional, sharing his childhood longing for acceptance and his journey towards becoming his true self. This story comes from my own experiences as a Bahujan trans man, trying to understand love, rejection, and resilience within family relationships. Through Surya’s voice, I hope to create space for vulnerability and truth-telling, where personal narratives challenge larger systems of oppression.

​

Dear Aai is more than just a story, it is a conversation with the unspoken feelings we carry. It documents the emotional struggles of being a trans man and serves as a love letter to those of us who constantly balance our truths with society’s expectations. I hope this novella helps readers see that healing and understanding are possible, even in the face of deep pain.

​

About the artist

​​

Vihaan Vee (he/him) is an Ambedkarite queer feminist trans man engaged in anti-caste, feminist, queer, and trans movements since his student days. He runs the podcast MasculiniTea: Kuch Mardani Gupshup, exploring transmasculine experiences of masculinity. His writing has been featured in Social Text, Feminism in India, Smashboard, Parentopia, Round Table India, and more. Notable works include Re/imagine Queer Utopias, Dialogue Protest, Andolan Imaginaries, How India’s Brutal Lockdown Was a Calamity for Trans-communities, and Experience of Bisexuality as a Trans Man. Vihaan’s work amplifies marginalized voices, documents lived realities, and envisions futures of dignity and resistance.

​