whats the respectful way to talk about drag queens

Kween Mallika: One look at Mallika's Instagram account, and you are in awe. A scientist and a performer, Mallika holds the unofficial championship of Madhuri Dixit of Elevate in Toronto. A big fan of, you guessed it, Madhuri and Bollywood, Mallika'due south drag routine is pure entertainment.

In the middle of a big, fatty Indian family wedding, Mallika sat downward with ELLE and spoke to us about identity, the art of drag and everything in between.

ELLE: Tell us about your journeying with elevate. When did it begin, and how has information technology inverse you as a person over the years?

Queen Mallika (QM): My first fourth dimension in drag was very painful; I was all tucked, pulled, pushed, taped, walking in 4-inch heels. Simply, when I went out, and my friends saw me, I felt something I cannot explicate in words. I was then proud of myself for putting in an effort to try something new. During the same menstruation, I was questioned about my gender identity by some of my friends, and I struggled with information technology. I was eventually clear nigh the fact that I am a gay guy who is not a trans person.

I also got a first-hand experience of how fragile masculinity tin can be for many people. Leave bated straight people, our very own gay customs, which I am part of, can be highly toxic when it comes to expressing or accepting femininity.

The second time I did drag was in 2017, where my life changed! I was surrounded by my kind of people –desi gay guys. I got my starting time suspension for an on-stage performance in Dec (2017), and since then, I have been performing regularly in diverse clubs around the urban center of Toronto and have performed in Kitty Su, Delhi.

ELLE: You've spoken about how your fascination with the fine art of drag started when you saw a performance in Toronto. Tell united states of america about that retentiveness.

QM: The first time I went to a gay club in my life was in early 2015. I saw this beauty queen who came to me, said hi and introduced herself as Sofonda Cox. I had no idea who she was, or what being a elevate queen meant. After the performance, I went to talk to Sofonda and came to know about elevate civilization in Toronto. I wanted to explore information technology as a performer. It took me effectually ten months to convince myself to try elevate for the first time.

ELLE: How practise you personally define the fine art of drag?

QM: Drag gives me a way of expressing myself without thinking of what others will say. It'southward similar to singing in a shower. There are no rules to elevate. The only rule as a performer, withal, is to be humble and be respectful.

ELLE: Y'all've been open about your journeying with elevate, merely you mentioned that when you came out, people had a difficult fourth dimension accepting information technology. What were some of the things you drew inspiration from, at that point?

QM: I had to face two sets of challenges; starting time, I had to tell people nearly being gay, and and then, a drag queen. One of my transformation videos on TikTok went viral, and my family unit (my mom, specifically) asked me about it. I had to tell them why I am doing it and who I am. The timing of my coming out was not planned, only information technology helped me kickoff talking to my parents about who I truly am. I used to send my mom and dad links to YouTube videos that helped them learn most sexual identity, and how it has been mentioned in diverse religious texts in Hinduism and Sikhism.

I just accepted that whatever I practice, non everyone volition be happy, then I will practise whatever I like, and if anyone wants to go out me because of the way I am, I will not carp myself.

ELLE: What are some of the misconceptions you'd like to address nigh drag, specially in the Indian cultural context?

QM:Many people fail to distinguish between a drag queen, ahijra or a transgender person. Elevate is all about amusement. As well, not all drag queens are Shemales, crossdressers or prostitutes!

ELLE: We've read that you proudly hold the championship of 'Madhuri Dixit of Elevate' given by your friends. Tell u.s. about that, and why information technology's so special?

QM:This title (given by my friends) holds a special place in my middle equally Madhuriji is 1 of the biggest inspirations in my life. I grew up watching her movies and accept danced to her songs. Some of her all-time numbers are my go-to songs to perform on stage. People expect performances on Madhuri's songs when they know I am performing.

ELLE: Requite united states of america an insight into your drag routine? What inspires y'all? And how has it changed over the years?

QM: My inspiration in elevate is old Bollywood movies and the latest club hits. My elevate routine is quite elaborate. It takes me about an hr and a half to go ready. The process starts with shaving my bristles, then glueing my eyebrows, a complete makeup transformation. Tucking is the next stride, followed by many layers of pantyhose and padding in different parts of the body. A corset helps me ascertain my shape into an hourglass figure. A wig is a final step in the transformation.

Over the years, I take started making changes in my style of drag. I have started wearing flowy costumes, which helps me make the performance more visibly appealing; it eliminates the need for putting on paddings and a corset.

ELLE: What is the one thing you lot honey when information technology comes to drag, in the Indian context?

QM:The thing I dear nearly the Indian fashion of drag is that I tin can mix the cultural aspect into my drag manner. I tin can have folk songs and do a drag operation on that. I can wear a sari, salwar kameez, a lehenga choli, or whatsoever other traditional clothing style and turn information technology into a drag costume. Moreover, I can take inspiration from our rich culture and history and amalgamate that into a drag manner.  I am sure you will not get a vast assortment of references to base a drag operation anywhere else in the world.

ELLE: Any advice for aspiring drag artists?

QM:If you want to do drag, do drag! If yous are not sure, inquire a queen, you know. If y'all don't know any drag queens, attain out. If you still don't get aid, you lot can plough to YouTube! Drag costs a lot of money, fourth dimension and dedication. Call up about your finances. Last and most important thing, don't let anyone pull you downwardly! Always keep your head high and exist apprehensive!

Images courtesy: Kween Mallika'southward Instagram

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Source: https://elle.in/kween-mallika-talks-to-elle-about-the-world-of-drag/

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