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5 Classy And Sassy Indian Drag Queens Who Are Breaking Gender Stereotypes

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Images from hatchicsupergirl.blogspot.in, thebetterindia.com, dnaindia.com

These five drag queens from India have chosen performance art as a medium of self-expression and a way to provide a creative outlet for themselves

Text credits: Lakshmi Priya

The ‘drag queen’ may not be a very familiar performance art to the people of India. For those who don’t know, drag queens are men who usually dresses in hyper-feminised or gender non-conforming clothing. They provide entertainment to the people in various forms of singing, dancing, lip-syncing and many more by usually in a sarcastic manner. Even though the drag queens are usually associated with gay men, it is not generic. People from all sexualities stage these mainly for reasons like self-expression, transvestic fetishism, and even spiritual reasons. One of the main reasons for their lack of popularity can be because of the lack of artists performing in this art form, which can be due to certain predominant gender stereotypes prevalent in our country. But here, we have a list of drag queens from India who have broken the chains of stereotypes and trodden their path as drag queens to express themselves the best.

Alex Mathew (Mayamma)

Image source: The Better India

Born and brought up in Kerala, Alex Mathew is one among the few drag queen artists in India. His dream of performing in the Broadway eventually lead him to be a drag queen. A person who also wanted to do something out-of-the-box, Alex began his career as a drag queen in September 2014. Alex portrays his character ‘Mayamma’ (Mother of Magic) on the limelight as a simple yet outspoken, bold and strong-willed woman who fights for gender equality. Alex wanted his character to be relatable to the normal audience as well as a performance close to the LGBT community. Mayamma depicts the abuses women have to undergo in their life. While talking to the media about the misconceptions on drag queens Alex stated that Drag queen is not a performance art solely performed by gay men. In fact, men of all sexuality have been performing this art on stage. People have been mistaking Alex to be a member of LGBT community. Even though he is not, he is happy about the inspiration he shed out to them.

Rovin Sharma (Roveena Tampon)

Battling with masculinity and feminity, Rovin Sharma, born and brought in Haryana left his home in despair when he was 17 years old. Later, Rovin became an active LGBT member in Lalit group, working for the betterment of the community. Rovin Sharma transformed into Roveena Tampon when she first stepped on to the drag queen art after doing a lip sync performance in Kolkatta. Roveena’s performances started luring the audience at the famous Kitty Su nightclub that belongs to Keshav Suri. The character Roveena is a mixture of various qualities. She is the queen who is bold, classy at times and naughty.

Sushant Divgikar (Rani-Ko-HE-Nur)

Image source: twitter.com (@thedivasushant)

An actor, model, dancer, singer, video jockey, drag queen and what not! Bagged the title of Mr Gay 2014, Sushanth Divgikar has always been the face of LGBT community of India. Even though Sushant was performing drags in small scale for a long time, his performance at Kitty Su, in front of the internationally popular drag queen ‘Violet Chachki’ changed his life. From then on, Sushanth is regularly featuring as Rani-Ko-He-Nur at all the Kitty Su chains of nightclubs. Sushant flawlessly carries off Rani-Ko-He-Nur in a traditional and royal lehenga choli as well as in sexy lingerie. Rani is outspoken, sassy and absolutely unapologetic for being herself.

Ayush and Ikakshu

Image source: hindustantimes.com

Ayush and Ikakshu mostly perform together because they both are good friends and lawyers by profession and who fiercely broke the misconceptions about drag queens. Ikakshu appears in his drag queen character ‘Kushboo’, a young and confident woman who challenges gender stereotypes. Whereas Ayush does the role of ‘Lush monsoon’, a free-spirited bohemian woman. The duo from Delhi had this idea of performing as drag queens ever since studying in law school together. Now, they have unimaginably conquered the hearts of people as fearless drag queens.

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Spotlight

Ahaana Krishna’s Dreamy Bridal Look

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Without a question, Ahaana Krishna is the queen of aesthetics. She has returned with yet another stunning and captivating bridal portrait. The image was uploaded the day before on her Instagram and was immediately loved by the public. Let’s look into the details of this stunning photo shoot.

 Ahaana wore a stunning saree from Indra Designs’ “Enchanting collections” to complete the enchanted appearance. The saree was exquisitely woven in opulent English garden designs, including three-dimensional embellishments created by House of Indra artisans. The saree was draped perfectly by saree stylist Daira. 

Devi Sreenath, the creative director of Indra Designs, styled the entire ensemble. The exquisite bouquet by Droplet Bouquets complimented the entire bridal ensemble.

Ahaana opted for a classic appearance with her accessories. DC Jewellers provided the exquisitely crafted gems. Various pearls and gemstones set in intricate designs make up the ornaments. It complements the outfit’s hues beautifully.

Amrin Khan, her makeup artist, opted for a delicate and dreamy appearance, keeping the makeup simple. The photographs were taken by Twelvef Moments

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Cover Story

Insta – Glam : Best Fashion from Aparna Thomas

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Instagram has developed into a busy runway in the fast-paced world of fashion, where influencers like Aparna Thomas showcase their own looks, creating trends and motivating millions of others. Aparna Thomas has enthralled audiences with her varied and imaginative ensembles thanks to her outstanding taste and passion for fashion. Let’s delve into some of her best fashion looks that have left a lasting impression on fashion enthusiasts around the globe.

Effortless Glamour

Aparna Thomas looks sophisticated and alluring in this beautiful rainbow saree by Fitting Room Couture, styled by talented Sabarinath. Her look as completed by jewels from Pure Allure

Shimmer Glam

How to add a touch of glamour to any occasion without sacrificing comfort or style, just add some Shimmer. Aparna looks gorgeous  in the stunning golden sequined flared dress by D’Roz for Christmas theme shoot.

Chic Style

Aparna looks casual chic with urban sophistication with her street style look in this green dress by Urbanic

Regal Beauty

Aparna is a natural at stealing the show; she looks magnificent in her exquisite blue saree that Sabarinath styled. The saree comes from Luxurion World. 

Mythical Magic

Aparna looks stunning in an embellished saree by T & M Signature thanks to her excellent sense of style. The blouse features soft and elegant hues with delicate foliate motifs and elaborate crisscross patterns. The MOD Signature jewels completed the entire look. 

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Architecture

5 Sustainable Interior Design Trends to Embrace in 2024

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As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, it’s no surprise that eco-friendly practices are making their way into the realm of interior design. In 2024, we can expect to see a surge in sustainable interior design trends that not only enhance the beauty of our living spaces but also minimise our environmental footprint. From repurposed materials to energy-efficient solutions, here are five sustainable interior design trends to embrace this year.

Upcycled Furniture:

One of the most prominent sustainable interior design trends of 2024 is the use of upcycled furniture. Instead of buying new pieces, consider giving old furniture a new lease on life by refurbishing or repurposing them. From reclaimed wood tables to refurbished chairs, upcycled furniture adds character and charm to your space while reducing waste and conserving resources.

Biophilic Design:

Biophilic design, which emphasizes a connection to nature, continues to gain popularity in 2024. Integrating natural elements such as plants, natural light, and organic materials into your interior design not only enhances aesthetics but also promotes well-being and sustainability. Consider incorporating living walls, indoor gardens, and sustainable wood finishes to bring the outdoors inside and create a healthier living environment.

Energy-Efficient Lighting:

With a growing focus on energy conservation, energy-efficient lighting solutions are becoming a staple in sustainable interior design. LED lights, in particular, consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, reducing both energy consumption and maintenance costs. Additionally, consider incorporating natural light sources such as skylights and large windows to maximize daylight and minimize the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Sustainable Textiles:

When it comes to upholstery and soft furnishings, opting for sustainable textiles is key to reducing environmental impact. Look for fabrics made from organic or recycled materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or recycled polyester. These materials not only reduce the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides but also minimize waste and support eco-friendly production practices. Additionally, consider investing in durable, high-quality textiles that stand the test of time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Smart Home Technology:

In 2024, smart home technology continues to evolve, offering innovative solutions for sustainable living. From smart thermostats that optimize energy usage to home automation systems that control lighting and appliances, these technologies can help reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency in your home. Additionally, smart home devices such as occupancy sensors and smart meters provide valuable insights into your energy usage, empowering you to make informed decisions about resource management and conservation.

As we strive to create more sustainable living environments, embracing these five interior design trends can help reduce our environmental impact while creating beautiful and functional spaces. Whether you’re upcycling old furniture, incorporating natural elements, or investing in energy-efficient technologies, every sustainable choice contributes to a greener future for generations to come. So let’s embrace these trends and make sustainability a cornerstone of our interior design practices in 2024 and beyond.

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