The evening began with an opening presentation by Vishnupriya Das, Godrej India Culture Lab’s scholar in residence from the University of Michigan who is researching dating apps and sexuality in urban centers. This was followed by a free flowing conversation between filmmaker and writer Paromita Vohra (whose latest project, Agents of Ishq is an online multi-media platform that provides a space for people to engage in open conversations about sex), independent radio producer and journalist Chhavi Sachdev from LSDCast (India's first and only candid podcast about love, sex and dating) along with Taru Kapoor (India Head of Tinder) and Sachin Bhatia (CEO and Co-founder of TrulyMadly) from India’s leading dating apps.

We attemped to pull back the veil of mystery that’s shrouds discussions on love, sex and desire in the Indian context and ponder over how technological change - from the 90’s anonymous chatrooms to present day ‘people nearby’ mobile dating apps – allows us to experiment, explore and push the boundaries of our sexual selves.

In a special blogpost for the lab, Vishnupriya traces her journey mapping the dating app ecosystem in India. (Read)