Goethe Zentrum in collaboration with Telangana Delphic Association, on 29 July, hosted a Panel discussion on “Art and Queerness: A Dialogue on Identity, Expression, and Social Change.” The talk featured two renowned Hyderabad-based queer artists, Vaibhav Kumar Modi, a Kathak dancer, LGBTQIA+ Activist and Founder of Dark Vibe Society, and Patruni Sastry, a Drag artist, a trained classical dancer and LGBTQIA+ activist. The panel was moderated by Apeksha, a neuro-queer, person and a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
Queer artists have existed within the art forms for centuries, but their existence is often veiled and disregarded amidst social stigma influenced by western ideas. However, over the last few decades, many artists have come out as Queer, solidifying the queer community’s place within the art world.
Vaibhav Kumar Modi (He/Him), spoke about how queer artists break stereotypes. He said, “Kathak course texts in current day contexts have been made to be very gender-specific, negating the existence of other genders in the art form. When I first joined a Kathak class at the age of 29, it was predominantly attended by women, and my teacher was surprised; they didn’t expect me to stay long. Throughout our lives, queer individuals face bullying, judgement, and shame, but art provides them with a stage where they are celebrated. It’s a platform that allows them to be larger than life, enabling them to express anything and become anyone. Art broadens the mind, expands horizons, and fosters a sense of awareness that transcends gender and sexuality. Most importantly, art doesn’t pose questions; it accepts us as we are.”
When asked about choice in art and how choices shape an artist, Patruni Sastry (They/Them), shared their purpose for embracing Anti-Beauty in Drag. “As a classical dancer, it was important for me to draw parallels and deflect from what beauty is, in my early learnings of Bharatanatyam. Texts like Natyashastra define ideals of performing and what an ideal body is when performing. But it’s on us to change and ensure such ideas are challenged to modern-day societal experience” said Patruni.
They added that Dance as an art form is not very accessible for queer people, and even if it is, it comes with stigma and shame. Patruni shared an anecdote where they were ridiculed for wearing Harem pants to a dance rehearsal. “Many dancers of the current era are scared to explore in fear of being labelled as Queer.”
Speaking on how many Gurus in the Guru–Shishya tradition, or parampara (lineage) try to claim that queerness breaks the traditions, Vaibhav Modi further said, “Many Gurus, in the name of Tradition, try to pull down the artists. All I say is, Teach Me the Language, Leave It to Me on how to talk. Do not strangle and restrict my artistic expression.”
Patruni Sastry said, “at many instances, art schools have been a hub for sexual molestation, and yet no action is taken; it was hidden in the name of Guru-Shishya Parampara. I think it is important for Gurus to look past these biases and teach the techniques instead of gatekeeping the artform.“
Speaking on why Goethe-Zentrum was motivated to facilitate the program, Amita Desai, Executive Director of Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad and Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, said, “We have been an inclusive institute, where LGBTQIA+ events have been conducted in the past, and we’ll continue to do so. We want to provide a platform for the community to have such conversations, which are an essential ingredient of an institute like ours. We are happy to bring renowned dancers and artists, especially Apeksha, all the way from Bangalore. We are heartened by the turnout of the event.”
Towards the end of the program, Hyderabad-based LGBTQIA+ activist, Vyjayanthi Vasantha Mogli, was felicitated for pioneering the recent removal of the Telangana Eunuchs Act of 1919. Vyjayanthi, along with others, filed three identical Public Interest Litigations, which were consolidated and heard by a common ruling on Thursday, July 6. The Telangana High Court not only struck it down but also deemed it unconstitutional.
A toast was raised to the activist on the occasion, and Ajay Misra, IAS (Rtd.), President of the Telangana Delphic Association and Chairman of Red Cross Telangana, felicitated her along with other panellists.
The talk was organised in association with the city-based LGBTQIA+ NGOs Queer Nilayam and Mobbera Foundation. The event witnessed a diverse turnout of attendees from Goethe Zentrum, LGBTQIA+ communities, and its allies.