A multidisciplinary showcase this weekend will explore the intersection of anti-caste and queer narratives in performing arts
Shivakshi Singh Rajput aka Shivkanya. PIC COURTESY/@imshivkanya_ on Instagram
We’re wrapping up a month where every venue wanted to host a Pride event,” comedian Ankur Tangade humours us. While it is true that we can already see the Pride flag fade away from corporate logos and social media timelines, the rainbow colours will fly high at an Andheri venue this weekend. Da-lit Queer, a one-day showcase will bring together artists from two historically marginalised communities — queer and Dalit-Bahujan-Adivasi (DBA) — for a first-of-its-kind celebration.
“I’m queer and I’m Dalit. When I’d perform at queer shows, my caste identity would make me the odd one out on the line-up; while in spaces where anti-caste comedy thrived, I’d be judged for being queer. When I spoke with other queer Dalit artistes, they all shared the same complaint. There had to be a space where the two co-existed and intersected. We decided to create it,” remarks Tangade, who co-organises the show.
Ankur Tangade. PICS COURTESY/ANKUR TANGADE (right) Krey Kannojia
On the line-up are comedians, musicians and drag artistes who support the cause that has been a long time coming. Founding members Ravi Gaikwad and Krey Kannojia, along with comedian Navin Noronha will bring a fresh, unabashed brand of comedy alongside Tangade. “For a long time now, the comedy scene in India has been dominated by male and upper caste comedians, with the same handful of surface level observational jokes doing the rounds. I tried imitating that style of comedy to fit in; sure enough, it worked in my favour. But I wasn’t doing justice to myself,” Beed-based Tangade admits.
One of the highlights of the show, we learn, is a performance by the Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch specialising in shahiri, a folk art form that blends poetry, storytelling and dance. The young group calls themselves ‘artistes for democracy’. This traditional performance with its roots in the anti-caste movement in Maharashtra will unfold on the same stage as Shivakshi Singh Rajput aka Shivkanya’s bold, emotive performance. A drag artist at heart, Shivkanya simultaneously runs an NGO for marginalised and less-privileged families on the streets of Mumbai.
Ravi Gaikwad and Navin Noronha
Tangade admits that the event takes on added importance given the complex logistics behind the scenes. “Venues can be hard nuts to crack. They usually want to be inclusive, but there’s always a fear simmering under the surface,” she reveals. The comedian recalls when a venue excused themselves with ‘Hume koi problem nahi chahiye’ [We’re not looking for trouble], referring to the recent state of affairs where venues become collateral damage amidst conflicting ideologies.
ON July 6; 6 pm onwards
AT Kitty Su, Navpada, Andheri East.
LOG ON TO @da_litqueer
ENTRY Rs 299 onwards
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