When I see a drag queen perform, I feel they are living their dream in reality, almost akin to meditation. They perform in exaggerated, often glamorous feminine clothing, makeup, and styling for entertainment; are mostly a man, though some drag queens I have met are trans women, non-binary, or cisgender women. They are theatrical, and what’s interesting to me is that they might be straight, gay, or any orientation; the performance is not an expression of gender identity, also doesn’t reflect in their off-stage day to day life.

They are regulars at Kitty Su Pop's up at The Lalit (this is one places where queerness is celebrated) in New Delhi, mostly dancing on Bollywood numbers. The exaggeration suits them, and make them larger than life, big wigs, elaborate makeup, dramatic outfits. There's also a counterpart "drag king" where typically women or others performing exaggerated masculinity. But I will visually deal with it some other time.

The roots lie in queer culture, an offshoot of LGBTQ+ nightlife, and is most anticipated event at gay bars and ballroom culture, started in the US some 75 years ago. Though this way of performance is much older, I can think of so many examples like an onnagata in traditional Japanese Kabuki theatre, or men playing women's roles in Shakespearean theatre. In India, there are so many examples; like Yakshagana and Kathakali frequently feature male actors dressing as female deities or characters.

Welcome to the fairy land of the desi drag queens.