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As the people of India and Pakistan celebrated 70 years of independence, I, like hundreds of others questioned this ‘freedom’ and everything it entails. Are we really free or have we just changed our oppressors? Is it only the people in power who get to truly exercise their freedom while the marginalized continue to strive to find their voice?
Independence may have been declared 70 years ago for both India and Pakistan, but the queer people in both these countries still remain oppressed while queer South Asian people across the world still face discrimination. Perhaps the most creative and powerful way to express one’s idea of freedom is through art and that is exactly what Abhijeet Rane, a non-binary visual artist and drag performer is doing. A new media artist, based in Chicago and Mumbai, Abhijeet is using drag, fashion, music, video and nightlife to create safer spaces for the expression and representation of marginalized queer people. Their latest look is inspired by India and Pakistan’s 70th year of Independence — it is about the expression of identity and about continued visibility and resilience to make sure people know that they exist; proudly and in abundance.
The look for Pakistani Independence Day is inspired by the flag, taking the crescent moon and star, stylized with dark green. The look for Indian Independence Day takes the colours of the Indian flag but is stylized through the national animal and bird who together, have all those colors. Abhijeet has realised that in a lot of ways, Independence Day is more important to them when they are not living in India. It reminds them that Independence isn’t one monolith act that the people achieved in the past but something that they gain a little more, each time they make progress. “I wish for my drag to be a symbol. Not necessarily for any kind of idea or standard, but just one of the many ways in which queer culture and desi culture exist in the same person,” Abhijeet says.
The drag scene in both India and Pakistan largely exists underground on a very small scale, and is highly misunderstood just like the queer culture at large, for a lot of it still needs to be kept closeted and hidden because queer people still face the risk of losing their jobs and families. Abhijeet feels that, that is the case in most parts of the world. They say, “I don’t think drag is any more misunderstood in India than anywhere else.” It is an underground, alternative culture that comes from creating a space for queer liberation and the people that appreciate it. The small pockets of drag flourish, especially in art and performance spaces and are now also reaching more mainstream outlets, given the potential to spread via the internet.” They add, “I’m particularly interested in drag as a medium to express, create and activate as it is getting more accessible.”
Abhijeet’s Independence Day look, aims to fulfill another purpose. In one of their Facebook posts, Abhijeet writes how there has been so much unfounded hatred spread by religious fundamentalism, with both countries bearing the guilt and how both countries should keep aside their differences and work towards shared interests. Discussing the pragmatic feasibility of this thought, Abhijeet says “I honestly think queer youth are the future. They are the face of resistance for a better and more inclusive future. Each year the Pride march evokes more visibility and gains more attention, each year has more people coming out, and each year there is more independence gained.” While the Indian Government has already started taking positive steps in this direction such as the recognition of the third gender, (Kochi being the government to employ hijras etc), there is more that needs to be done and the queer youth isn’t done fighting for it. They wish that the youth of both countries come together to contest this political agenda that really doesn’t benefit anyone and hope that queer Indian and Pakistani youth from around the world can learn from the past and build a better future.
Talking about the reception of their drag looks in both the countries, Abhijeet says “I’ve received a few messages from Pakistani people on Instagram, mostly queer people or women. They really like the look and idea behind doing it. I generally tend to get similar reaction from Indian people and other south Asians for the looks that I share on the internet. I’m hoping for the Independence Day look to combine the art of drag with that sense of nostalgia we have for the tricolor.”
Abhijeet occasionally does get hate comments from peoples, mocking/making fun of them but they have started paying less attention and mind to them. “Just delete, block and move on. I don’t want to give them any more power in my life because very few of them are as brave in person as they are behind the keyboard. Dealing with transphobic people in real life? That’s another scary story and another reason why queer people, especially women of color, need responsible allies and legal protection,” Abhijeet says.
To see more of Abhijeet’s shows, looks and the Chicago drag scene, check out their Instagram!
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