By Evelyn Ann AbrahamAs Pride Month draws to a close, Bengaluru’s drag culture shows that ‘queer joy’ for the LGBTQ+ community is not limited to a month. Once a niche art form, drag has grown into a vibrant movement across clubs, cafés, festivals and community events all year. In Bengaluru, drag is not just entertainment; it is self-expression, a performance art and a celebration of identity.‘We carved our own niche’Long before drag became a familiar sight in the city’s nightlife circuit, Adam Pasha was among the performers who drew the art form into the light. “In 2009, I brought the art of drag to Bengaluru. That was when the first Pride March was held. Before me, there was no other guidebook,” he says. Known as Karnataka’s first drag queen, he made history as the first contestant from the queer community to appear on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 6.
Artistes must be treated with respect and dignity, and they must be paid for their art
Cologne Doll
‘Drag does not have any boundaries’Cologne Doll, who dubs himself India’s Drag Barbie, points out that drag artistes must be treated with respect and paid for their art. “Drag began as a way to push the boundaries, and we are here to take it forward,” he says. For Vipsart, a Kathak dancer who discovered drag by accident, the appeal lay in its freedom. He says, “I discovered it as an art form to express yourself. It is beyond the stigmas.”‘The Bengaluru drag scene is very dynamic’“The Bengaluru drag scene is very dynamic. You see new artistes and new concepts happening every week. And there’s not just one type of event; there are three or four events every week, and that number is still increasing,” Cologne adds. Vipsart believes the city offers one of the most exciting drag cultures in the country. “I think drag in Bengaluru is filled with passion, drama, and life,” he says. Both artistes credit Bengaluru for giving them the confidence and acceptance to grow. “I find it so much more comfortable here, and I feel people here are more understanding. They feel the art,” says Vipsart.
