Namrata Poddar 🪷🪬
@namratapoddar.bsky.social
Author of BORDER LESS | Faculty at UCLA | Essays/nonfiction at Poets & Writers, Literary Hub, Longreads, LA Times, etc.
Interests include Decolonial —> storytelling, parenting, yoga, healing.
Writing 2nd book, a memoir.
Intermittently here.
Interests include Decolonial —> storytelling, parenting, yoga, healing.
Writing 2nd book, a memoir.
Intermittently here.
I’ll get to the translations later (critique is always a longer story) but for now, I’m in for a cultural performance at a national scale with *zero translation. May all self-expression aspire to this—a refusal to assimilate to the hegemonic gaze.
(& icing on the cake if it gets rhythm, Dia says.🏈)
(& icing on the cake if it gets rhythm, Dia says.🏈)
February 9, 2026 at 3:17 AM
I’ll get to the translations later (critique is always a longer story) but for now, I’m in for a cultural performance at a national scale with *zero translation. May all self-expression aspire to this—a refusal to assimilate to the hegemonic gaze.
(& icing on the cake if it gets rhythm, Dia says.🏈)
(& icing on the cake if it gets rhythm, Dia says.🏈)
Reposted by Namrata Poddar 🪷🪬
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
a dose of winter quiet for whoever needs it today. 🙏🏽🌀
February 2, 2026 at 12:54 AM
a dose of winter quiet for whoever needs it today. 🙏🏽🌀
resist — *without blocking the heart chakra. 🪷
This is a time to deprogram from the ways we have been taught to unconsciously collude with oppressive narratives and agendas...
...from the ways we have diluted our medicine & our power...
...and the ways we have been taught to sever ourselves from the sacred.
...from the ways we have diluted our medicine & our power...
...and the ways we have been taught to sever ourselves from the sacred.
January 30, 2026 at 1:53 AM
resist — *without blocking the heart chakra. 🪷
we need allyship in all forms we can get. i’m especially for white male artists calling out the consequences of white male leadership. redistribute the labor that artists of color have carried disproportionately.
Bruce Springsteen releases “Streets of Minneapolis” 👇🏾🤍
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
Bruce Springsteen releases “Streets of Minneapolis” 👇🏾🤍
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
Bruce Springsteen releases anti-ICE protest song 'Streets of Minneapolis'
On Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen released 'Streets of Minneapolis,' a protest song condemning the violence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis.
www.npr.org
January 30, 2026 at 1:10 AM
we need allyship in all forms we can get. i’m especially for white male artists calling out the consequences of white male leadership. redistribute the labor that artists of color have carried disproportionately.
Bruce Springsteen releases “Streets of Minneapolis” 👇🏾🤍
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
Bruce Springsteen releases “Streets of Minneapolis” 👇🏾🤍
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
Cuz I hold stubbornly a vision for Spring. Vasanth Panchami greetings to all marking the moment. 🙏🏽🤎
January 23, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Cuz I hold stubbornly a vision for Spring. Vasanth Panchami greetings to all marking the moment. 🙏🏽🤎
To BIPOC seeking help w mental health (more so in the times!) yet falling short, reminder that the system (/medical industrial complex) wasn’t built at its core to serve the global majority. May you be kind to yourself, may you continue to replenish as you give.
& yes, healing IS political (too).🙏🏽🌀
& yes, healing IS political (too).🙏🏽🌀
January 23, 2026 at 2:04 AM
To BIPOC seeking help w mental health (more so in the times!) yet falling short, reminder that the system (/medical industrial complex) wasn’t built at its core to serve the global majority. May you be kind to yourself, may you continue to replenish as you give.
& yes, healing IS political (too).🙏🏽🌀
& yes, healing IS political (too).🙏🏽🌀
I’m reading it too. & wondering: how many brown kids are breaking reading it? How many are confronting buried selves/stories? Cuz every desi kid I know has been brainwashed early enough: family is everything. Phew.
For #ArundhatiRoy fans, this too is a must-read, although Kleenex supplies!
For #ArundhatiRoy fans, this too is a must-read, although Kleenex supplies!
January 13, 2026 at 9:16 PM
I’m reading it too. & wondering: how many brown kids are breaking reading it? How many are confronting buried selves/stories? Cuz every desi kid I know has been brainwashed early enough: family is everything. Phew.
For #ArundhatiRoy fans, this too is a must-read, although Kleenex supplies!
For #ArundhatiRoy fans, this too is a must-read, although Kleenex supplies!
A question students (oft “minority” ones) ask me often: How do writers pay their bills? It’s like, without knowing this, they won’t give themselves the permission to pursue writing as a consistent *practice. It’s too far-fetched otherwise, writing being the stuff rich kids do. So a course @pw.org 👇🏾🙏🏽
January 13, 2026 at 2:51 AM
I’m so excited to be offering this course @pw.org. Writers: let’s talk Taboo! 🤎👇🏾
Unlike many professions, literary art doesn’t operate within a strictly capitalist framework of effort versus reward. So, how do writers pay their bills while doing what they love? This workshop with @namratapoddar.bsky.social can help writers build a plan for sustainability: at.pw.org/taboo
Talking Taboo: Financial Literacy and Sustainability for Writers | Led by Namrata Poddar — Poets & Writers
Unlike many professions, literary art doesn’t operate within a strictly capitalist framework of effort versus reward. A writer’s labor may not produce monetary compensation for years. Craft is key,…
at.pw.org
January 12, 2026 at 11:15 PM
I’m so excited to be offering this course @pw.org. Writers: let’s talk Taboo! 🤎👇🏾
A question students (oft “minority” ones) ask me often: How do writers pay their bills? It’s like, without knowing this, they won’t give themselves the permission to pursue writing as a consistent *practice. It’s too far-fetched otherwise, writing being the stuff rich kids do. So a course @pw.org 👇🏾🙏🏽
January 12, 2026 at 11:14 PM
A question students (oft “minority” ones) ask me often: How do writers pay their bills? It’s like, without knowing this, they won’t give themselves the permission to pursue writing as a consistent *practice. It’s too far-fetched otherwise, writing being the stuff rich kids do. So a course @pw.org 👇🏾🙏🏽
Joyous New Year to you and yours, Community! 🤎
May we show up responsibly over our brief time on this gorgeous, troubled planet. And yesss to a world with men cleaning up after themselves. 🧿
May we show up responsibly over our brief time on this gorgeous, troubled planet. And yesss to a world with men cleaning up after themselves. 🧿
January 2, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Joyous New Year to you and yours, Community! 🤎
May we show up responsibly over our brief time on this gorgeous, troubled planet. And yesss to a world with men cleaning up after themselves. 🧿
May we show up responsibly over our brief time on this gorgeous, troubled planet. And yesss to a world with men cleaning up after themselves. 🧿
Featuring today as a wrap for the year: books from my Fall syllabus (without standalone essays taught), a cliched L.A. prof selfie, or the one stuck in traffic, and reminders to self, should you need it too.
May the holidays bring you rest and a joyous transition into 2026! See you next year. 🤎🌀🙏🏽
May the holidays bring you rest and a joyous transition into 2026! See you next year. 🤎🌀🙏🏽
December 17, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Featuring today as a wrap for the year: books from my Fall syllabus (without standalone essays taught), a cliched L.A. prof selfie, or the one stuck in traffic, and reminders to self, should you need it too.
May the holidays bring you rest and a joyous transition into 2026! See you next year. 🤎🌀🙏🏽
May the holidays bring you rest and a joyous transition into 2026! See you next year. 🤎🌀🙏🏽
I’ve said this for a while now, including in my essays @pw.org and @literaryhub.bsky.social , but the educator in me cannot repeat this enough. As someone who believes big in the potential of storytelling, I cannot repeat this enough. We must rethink the MFA. 🤎
December 5, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I’ve said this for a while now, including in my essays @pw.org and @literaryhub.bsky.social , but the educator in me cannot repeat this enough. As someone who believes big in the potential of storytelling, I cannot repeat this enough. We must rethink the MFA. 🤎
Early career writers, join me @pw.org. Let’s talk *Taboo! 🤎👇🏾
A sneak peek of our winter classes—register while space remains! at.pw.org/classes
@joseolivarez.bsky.social
@mauricenow.bsky.social
@marcelohcastillo.bsky.social
@namratapoddar.bsky.social
@alissonwood.bsky.social
@jailthepoets.bsky.social
@joseolivarez.bsky.social
@mauricenow.bsky.social
@marcelohcastillo.bsky.social
@namratapoddar.bsky.social
@alissonwood.bsky.social
@jailthepoets.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Early career writers, join me @pw.org. Let’s talk *Taboo! 🤎👇🏾
A lil from my Fall syllabus cuz if you ask me, it’s always a good time to read Arundhati Roy, more so on rainy winter evenings like these. This via her collection of essays, “The End of Imagination,” published in 1998. What changed, I often wonder. Yet a reminder of so much we can.
November 18, 2025 at 2:20 AM
A lil from my Fall syllabus cuz if you ask me, it’s always a good time to read Arundhati Roy, more so on rainy winter evenings like these. This via her collection of essays, “The End of Imagination,” published in 1998. What changed, I often wonder. Yet a reminder of so much we can.
Reposted by Namrata Poddar 🪷🪬
California voters approved Prop. 50. Here's a look at the percentage of "yes" votes by county, with 25.1% precincts reporting as of Nov. 4, 8:18 p.m.
Voters approve Prop. 50, California redistricting, in a win for Democrats
Prop. 50, California's congressional redistricting measure, was on the ballot on a high-profile election day that saw Democratic wins in New York, New Jersey and elsewhere.
www.latimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:40 AM
California voters approved Prop. 50. Here's a look at the percentage of "yes" votes by county, with 25.1% precincts reporting as of Nov. 4, 8:18 p.m.
Literally every girlfriend and colleague today. Thanks for sharing, Reshmi Dutt-Ballerstadt, and reiterating for my desi community of STEM majors/advocates.
To the real DEI. 🤓🤎
To the real DEI. 🤓🤎
November 5, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Literally every girlfriend and colleague today. Thanks for sharing, Reshmi Dutt-Ballerstadt, and reiterating for my desi community of STEM majors/advocates.
To the real DEI. 🤓🤎
To the real DEI. 🤓🤎
Lord knows we can use a good news in the labyrinths of Power. Go, Zohran Mamdani! ❤️🤎
November 5, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Lord knows we can use a good news in the labyrinths of Power. Go, Zohran Mamdani! ❤️🤎
Reposted by Namrata Poddar 🪷🪬
Who did this? I am dead 😂🤣🤣😂🤣🤣
October 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Who did this? I am dead 😂🤣🤣😂🤣🤣
Reposted by Namrata Poddar 🪷🪬
Happy "PROFESSOR!!! CANVAS IS DOWN!!!" day to all academics who celebrate.
October 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Happy "PROFESSOR!!! CANVAS IS DOWN!!!" day to all academics who celebrate.
May your path exude light and abundance.
Diwali and New Year greetings to all marking the moment. 🙏🏽❤️
Diwali and New Year greetings to all marking the moment. 🙏🏽❤️
October 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
May your path exude light and abundance.
Diwali and New Year greetings to all marking the moment. 🙏🏽❤️
Diwali and New Year greetings to all marking the moment. 🙏🏽❤️
Dialogue over domination—may now be a fresher start to a newer road, a fresher relationship to power
— within a long winding road where so much seeks attention, accountability, repair… and righlty so. ❤️🩹
#permanentceasefirenow
— within a long winding road where so much seeks attention, accountability, repair… and righlty so. ❤️🩹
#permanentceasefirenow
October 9, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Dialogue over domination—may now be a fresher start to a newer road, a fresher relationship to power
— within a long winding road where so much seeks attention, accountability, repair… and righlty so. ❤️🩹
#permanentceasefirenow
— within a long winding road where so much seeks attention, accountability, repair… and righlty so. ❤️🩹
#permanentceasefirenow
birthday month’s highlight will never not be my lil guy & libra twin meanwhile this tee gift (with role models & the sun goddess aka TriShakti) & musings just becuz.
september, we’ll miss you! ♎️🌀
september, we’ll miss you! ♎️🌀
September 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
birthday month’s highlight will never not be my lil guy & libra twin meanwhile this tee gift (with role models & the sun goddess aka TriShakti) & musings just becuz.
september, we’ll miss you! ♎️🌀
september, we’ll miss you! ♎️🌀
I’m excited to offer this workshop @pw.org in October, & work with writers unbacked by large wallets, on ways to reach their readers.
Fee waivers available for writers underrepresented in publishing. & a discounted fee for all, if you enroll by September 7. Join me. 🤎
www.pw.org/content/work...
Fee waivers available for writers underrepresented in publishing. & a discounted fee for all, if you enroll by September 7. Join me. 🤎
www.pw.org/content/work...
August 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I’m excited to offer this workshop @pw.org in October, & work with writers unbacked by large wallets, on ways to reach their readers.
Fee waivers available for writers underrepresented in publishing. & a discounted fee for all, if you enroll by September 7. Join me. 🤎
www.pw.org/content/work...
Fee waivers available for writers underrepresented in publishing. & a discounted fee for all, if you enroll by September 7. Join me. 🤎
www.pw.org/content/work...