Patruni Sastry Explained

Patruni Sastry
Birth Name:Patruni Chidananda Sastry
Birth Date:25 December 1992
Birth Place:Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
Nationality:Indian
Occupation:Dancer, Drag Artist, Performance Artist, Columnist, Model
Spouse:Raja Rajeswari Devi
Website:www.sas3dancingfeet.com

Patruni Sastry, popularly known as Patruni Chidananda Sastry or Suffocated art Specimen is a Expressionist dancer,[1] performance artist,[2] visual artist,[3] model and drag queen.

Biography

Sastry started dancing at the age of 5. He was inspired by Ramya Krishnan from Padayappa in his initial days.[4] Later from the Expressionist movement.[5] He later learned Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam,[6] Odissi, Butoh,[7] Contemporary dance.[8] Sastry was inspired from Daniel Lismore, Austin Young and started performing Tranimal drag.[9] Sastry performed at Hyderabad Literature festival, Namma Pride, The Lalit Ashok, Lamakaan.[10] Shilparamam, and in many other public spaces.[11] He founded Dragvanti[12] and also acted in a short film 'Polar Night' which is based on the Polar Night effect by Rakesh Asileti.[13] In 2021, Sastry was the convener for India's first Drag Conference.[14] Sastry uses dance to talk about social topics such as sex education,[15] queer activism and women empowerment.

Performance style

Patruni self termed the dance as "Indian Expressionism", Inspired from Expressionist Dance with indian classical dance vocabulary. Explaining about the art from Patruni Said "This woman is so raged that she got rejected, she screams out loud and dances. So for the very first time as a kid, when I saw this, I thought if you have to show your anger, you have to dance…And since then, I kind of picked [it] up. Whenever my mom was not giving me a chocolate or whenever I was not getting what I wanted, I used to scream aloud and dance, That was, how it became a kind of an expression.”[16] Patruni also blends the idea of performance art in every presentation. His performance are majorly centered towards body and how its centered with society, agency, and politics. Talking about performance art Patruni says "“I always [saw] my body as a kind of canvas,” Sastry says. “Literally using the body as a part of a movement—a movement is a canvas…When I pose a certain way or when I’m just posing in a different way—escalating my body into a certain form—it automatically creates a canvas. It automatically creates an art.”[17]

Patruni's Style of Drag is an Indian inspiration of Tranimal Drag. Patruni explains tranimal drag as "I always [saw] my body as a kind of canvas,” [18] Sastry says. "But, unlike traditional drag, in which performers are praised for their elegance and beauty, I was attracted to tranimal style–also called “drag terrorism”. Tranimal drag is the drag of poor, available drag queens. It does not throw money on clothes and cosmetics, and works on only one belief: “this will do”. Tranimal drag performers make outfits themselves with available trash. They look vigorous, and they momentarily erase beauty and gender norms. When I perform tranimal I am liberated, I become the drag queen who doesn’t wear heels, but performs bare-footed for the less privileged community that I try to remind myself of."[19]

Activism

In 2018, a Telugu YouTube channel created more than a couple of videos which were homophobic, transphobic and gender phobic, to which Patruni confronted with a petition to take the channel down.[20] Patruni has also shared opinions of legalization of same sex marriages, gay locker room[21] and the Snapchat new gender swap filter which seemed like a mockery of trans and gender nonbinary identities.[22] In the same year Patruni also As a response to the Indian government stands on queer marriage rights Patruni said "I cannot believe that people who are involved in making polices are being this irrational about the basic gender rights of a human being. We expect our fellow citizens to stand with us in this as it’s a threat to the existence of entire community".[23] In 2020, Patruni also raised his voice against transphobic episode telecasted on a popular reality show Big Boss Telugu.[24]

Patruni has voiced out for Indian bisexual and pansexual rights in multiple occasions. In 2021, Patruni welcomed the DC's Bisexual Superman initiatives with open heart by saying "The whole Superman thing made me feel empowered after a long time. He came out as a bisexual which is not so usual. People usually come out as gay or a trans person. When a protagonist like Superman reveals his sexual identity, it triggers a conversation about gender diversity and inclusion".[25] In the same year Patruni has condemned a cover photo of Ayushmann Khurrana on GQ (Indian edition) which called itself to be representing the gender fluidity. calling the act a huge problem Patruni said "People need to understand that gender fluidity is not about costume play. Wearing a ghaghra or putting a nail paint from a cis-het privilege doesn’t make someone gender fluid. Such things are quite insulting and disqualifying to the actual lives of people who are gender fluid. It leads to a lot of trauma and disqualification of a person’s existence."[26] Patruni also worked created multiple telugu language folk songs to educate people on LGBTQIA+ issues.[27]

In the Same year Patruni Organized Hyderabad's first ever BI/PAN fest celebrating the most under-represented identities of the queer community.[28]

In 2022, Patruni spoke about Ram Gopal Verma's Lesbian-based movie "Dangerous", he said “Even if it is released in PVR and multiplexes, who is benefiting-RGV or the community? Is it message-oriented like Badhai Do or Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui? In a media interaction, he wanted to discuss only lesbian and not gay-related issues. If he donates half of his earnings to the community, then yes we can support him".[29] Patruni has also revolted for Gangubai Kathiawadi, speaking about the representation on Trans character by Vijay Raaz, In a Twitter post, Patruni said "Yet another shameless robbery of trans role. The only roles trans people get is to play are like this one and when some cis person plays a trans role, they take away the only opportunity"[30]

Patruni hosted a podcast named Rangula Rattnam in 2022 that features members of the queer community discussing their lives and journeys in Telugu, making it possibly the first Telugu podcast to be hosted by a queer person.[31] [32]

In 2022, Patruni performed in drag in a public metro station in Hyderabad where a child joined them in dancing to Patruni's Song. A social media post shared by Yes we Exists gained more than a lakh views. As a part of the post, Patruni said "They ban kids from drag shows and say we are scary. But then, kids just shower love on drag queens,".[33] [34] In 2023. Patruni had been doing public drag performances for HIV Awareness for Telangana aids control department.[35]

Patruni also introduced Drag tales a program similar to Drag Queen Story Hour in India where Patruni would read stories for kids in drag and break stereotypes of society. Patruni quoted 'So I take that opportunity to incorporate fun and humour in my shows, to talk about gender equality, inclusion and diversity.' when asked about the impact he is creating as a part of the story hour.[36]

In 2024, Patruni became the first Indian drag queen to represent India in a US State sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program where Patruni traveled across 4 different states of America learning and performing drag for advocacy and context drag bans in the cities.[37] Speaking about the expirence Patruni said "Looking to the future, I see a bright and promising path for drag culture in India. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and acceptance of drag, with more platforms and opportunities emerging for drag artists. I believe that drag has the potential to become a mainstream cultural phenomenon in India, much like it has in other parts of the world. As a pioneer in the Indian drag scene, I hope to play a significant role in its development and global recognition. By continuing to perform, mentor emerging artists, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, I aim to contribute to the growth and evolution of drag culture in India. My goal is to see Indian drag artists gain international recognition and to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive drag community both within India and globally"[38]

Personal life

In 2018, Patruni came out as a genderfluid person.[39] In the same year Sastry identified himself as a pansexual.[40] In one of the interviews he also said that he is in relationship with a cisgender woman and is planning to marry her soon.[41] In 2021, Patruni redefined themselves as pomosexual person.[42] and non-binary gender. On August 18, 2021, Patruni married Raja Rajeswari devi in Hindu rituals.

In 2022, Humans of Bombay, a social media platform covered a feature of Patruni and Rajeswari together which went viral on social media. In which Patruni said "My wife encourages me to be myself!".[43] The video went viral with more than 2.5 million people viewership.[44] In the same year, talking in an interview Patruni said "When I was looking to get married, there were so many people who said that I’d have to put aside my sexual identity. Others said it would mean I was cheating on my partner and many such ignorant things. Some even thought marriage would mean the end of my drag career. But, I’m grateful to have a wife like Rajeswari. She never questions anything I do. She gives me the warmth and love which I never got for ages".[45]

In 2023, Patruni Sastry and their partner Rajeswari devi were part of an allyship campaign by Absolut India, where they both burst the myths of Bisexuality.[46] Speaking about the experience for an interview Patruni said "Brands are usually picking up stories about trans people or people who are homosexual. Stories of other identities like non-binary people and bisexual people are not picked up. Time and again we see the same people and individuals involved in these brands. Sexuality or gender is all about perspective. I see transness in a far more different way than other people"[47]

In 2023, Patruni and Rajeswari made officially announced that they are welcoming a baby into their life which would make Patruni 'India's first ever drag queen to have a biological kid'.[48] In June 2023, Patruni announced that they had a baby,[49] without revealing their gender, speaking in an interview Patruni said "I don’t want some random parent to see my drag videos, show it to their kids and then that kid teases my child the next day, because of my profession. I have experienced trauma and I don't want it to pass on to my child. However, my wife reassured me that times have changed. Unlike when we were growing up, schools now engage in open seminars and conversations about these topics. It is up to us, as parents, to actively shape the progressive narrative."[50] [51] Patruni has also written an autobiography 'Life is drag, sas it up' making them the first ever Indian drag artist to write an autobiography.[52]

Music

Folk songs

Music videos

YearTitleSinger(s)Ref.
2022Kaun BatayeDastan Live
Sunshine on the StreetPeekay and Andrea Tariang

Publications

Selected live performances

Performance art

Film appearances

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Borah. Prabalika M.. 30 April 2019. Dance towards positive thoughts: Patruni Chidananda Sastry. The Hindu. www.thehindu.com.
  2. Web site: Rao. Siddharth. When body becomes a work of art. Telangana Today.
  3. Web site: Artograph Vol 02 Iss 01 (2020 Jan-Feb). Multiple. Authors. Hareesh N.. Nampoothiri. Praveen Kumar. P. Priyanka. B. T. Reddi. Lakshmi. 21 April 2020. Newnmedia. Google Books.
  4. Web site: Who Am I: 25-YO Hyderabad Dancer Will Make You Question Gender Norms. 1 August 2018.
  5. Web site: 27 August 2018. Patruni Chidananda Sastry on expressionist form of dance, and how it can give a voice to communities . Firstpost.
  6. Web site: Chakravorty. Reshmi. 31 July 2018. Demystifying a taboo. Deccan Chronicle.
  7. Web site: This 25-year-old classical dancer is integrating the distressing Japanese art form, Butoh with Bharatanatyam. The New Indian Express. 24 December 2018 .
  8. Web site: Meet the Hyderabad dancer who is unboxing gender, one step at a time. 4 August 2018. Hindustan Times.
  9. Web site: How a 27-year-old queer Indian brought drag to their city. Tris. Reid-Smith. 19 March 2020. Gay Star News. 5 November 2020. 25 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025140512/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/how-a-27-year-old-queer-indian-brought-drag-to-their-city/. dead.
  10. Web site: Leading in his own footsteps. https://web.archive.org/web/20190206055652/http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2019/feb/03/leading-in-his-own-footsteps-1933240.html. dead. 6 February 2019. The New Indian Express.
  11. Web site: India's drag queens put politics front and center. Nikkei Asia.
  12. Web site: DragVanti: How India's first drag website aims to encourage the art form. 19 June 2020. Lifestyle Asia India.
  13. News: COVID-19: 'Polar night' is a short film on loneliness during lockdown. Prabalika M.. Borah. The Hindu. 17 April 2020. www.thehindu.com.
  14. Web site: Ramadurai. Charukesi. 2021-06-25. 'Drag is political': the pioneering Indian event uniting art and activism. 2021-06-26. the Guardian. en.
  15. Web site: How to Learn About Sex Through Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. www.vice.com. 25 July 2018 .
  16. Web site: Verma. Vandana. 2018-08-08. A rhythmic battle for equal rights. 2022-01-19. www.democracynewslive.com. en.
  17. Web site: Interview with Patruni Chidananda Sastry, Overachiever Magazine. 2022-01-19. Overachiever Magazine. en-US. 24 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211024162652/https://www.overachievermagazine.com/2021/03/15/g1x22w0n86x0o8vb7m1nk9dh887sqp/. dead.
  18. Web site: Saxena. Akanksha. 2022-01-10. My Story: 'Drag Helps Me Bridge The Gap Between My Gender Visuality And My Performance As An Artist'. 2022-01-19. thelogicalindian.com. en.
  19. Web site: Pant. Manasi. 2019-09-26. In Conversation With Patruni Chidananda Sastry: Exploring Dance And Sexuality. 2022-01-19. Feminism In India. en-GB.
  20. Web site: 2019-11-26. Queer community in Hyd slams popular prankster Vinay Kuyya's offensive videos. 2021-08-02. The News Minute. en.
  21. Web site: Saranya Chakrapani. May 27, 2020. Let's not forget the locker rooms that shame LGBTQI youth Chennai News - Times of India. 2022-01-19. The Times of India. en.
  22. News: Gender swap filter: Amusing or insulting? - Times of India. 2021-08-02. The Times of India. 2 July 2019 . en.
  23. Web site: TNN. Feb 27, 2021. Centre's stand is regressive, it's crushing our hopes: Hyderabad's LGBTQIA+ community Hyderabad News - Times of India. 2021-08-02. The Times of India. en.
  24. Web site: 2020-10-13. Why the crossdressing challenge on 'Bigg Boss' Telugu was transphobic. 2021-08-02. The News Minute. en.
  25. News: Great news for the queer community, but just one Superman won't do - Times of India. 2022-01-19. The Times of India. 23 October 2021 . en.
  26. Web site: 2021-12-02. Ayushmann Khurrana schooled for calling his look 'gender fluid'; know what it actually means. 2022-01-19. The Indian Express. en.
  27. Web site: Patruni Chidananda Sastry's queer reimagination of popular Telugu culture. 2022-01-19. The New Indian Express. 18 December 2021 .
  28. Web site: 2021-09-19. Bi/Pansexual Fest held in Hyderabad. 2022-01-19. Telangana Today. en-US.
  29. Web site: LGBT groups wary of Ram Gopal Varma's new film . 7 April 2022 .
  30. Web site: Alia Bhatt's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' Gets Backlash for Casual Racism, Casting a Cishet Actor as a Transwoman . 8 February 2022 .
  31. Web site: 2022-11-11. The rainbow in Telugu. The New Indian Express. 16 March 2022 .
  32. Web site: Tanisha. Saxena. 2022-11-11. How a Telugu podcast is forging a vocabulary of queer assertion. The Caravan.
  33. Web site: 2022-06-27 . WATCH: Drag Artiste Joined by Kid in Joyful Performance at Hyderabad Metro Station . 2023-07-04 . News18 . en.
  34. Web site: Scroll Staff . 2022-06-28 . Watch: Child joins drag queen's performance at a busking event held in a Hyderabad metro station . 2023-07-04 . Scroll.in . en-US.
  35. Web site: Kalpana . Renuka . 2024-05-14 . Beyond the neon lights, Patruni's drag dance sheds light on critical issues . 2024-07-23 . The New Indian Express . en.
  36. Web site: 2024-02-05 . India’s drag artists share inclusive messages of gender equality in schools . 2024-07-23 . South China Morning Post . en.
  37. Web site: 2024-05-23 . Drag Queen Patruni: शास्त्रीय नृत्य से की शुरुआत, साल 2019 में हुआ पहला प्रदर्शन.. आज हैं अमेरिका द्वारा चुनी जाने वाली पहली भारतीय ड्रैग क्वीन . 2024-07-23 . HerZindagi . hi.
  38. Web site: IVLP alum brings India’s drag scene to the international stage . 2024-07-23 . World Learning . en-US.
  39. News: It took me 23 years to finally realise that I am gender fluid - Times of India. The Times of India. 16 September 2018 .
  40. Web site: Tan. Kiki. Here comes… Gothic drag. 17 February 2021 . 2021-08-02. en-US.
  41. Web site: 2021-02-26. Why can't men be 'The Bride'?. 2021-08-02. FridayWall Magazine. en-US.
  42. Web site: 2021-07-23. A platform for Indian drag. 2021-08-02. Mintlounge. en.
  43. Web site: 2022-01-29. Indian drag artist shares how their wife encourages, supports their art. Watch. 2022-02-15. Hindustan Times. en.
  44. Web site: 2022-01-30. WATCH: Indian Drag Artiste Talks about Exploring His Sexuality and Finding Love. 2022-02-15. News18. en.
  45. Web site: The warmth of acceptance. 2022-02-15. The New Indian Express. 3 February 2022 .
  46. Web site: Bhuyan . Gouri . Khan . Mikhail . 2023-02-02 . Here's Why We Need To Build Towards Stronger Allyship With The LGBTQIA+ Community . 2023-07-04 . Homegrown . en.
  47. Web site: Brands Should Go Beyond Tokenism And Be More Queer-friendly, Say LGBTQIA Influencers . 2023-07-04 . Forbes India . en.
  48. Web site: Sastry . Patruni Chidananda . 2023-02-16 . I am a Drag Queen and a to-be Dad . 2023-07-04 . Gaylaxy Magazine . en-US.
  49. Web site: "It's An Incredible Feeling To Be A Biological Dad While Also Being A Drag Queen", Says Patruni Sastry . 2023-07-04 . Zee Zest . en.
  50. Web site: INTERVIEW: Hyderabad's drag artiste Patruni Chidananda Sastry on fatherhood, happy marriage and hilarious audience reactions . 2023-07-04 . www.indulgexpress.com . 16 June 2023 . en.
  51. Web site: Meet Patruni Sastry, the dancer who brought drag to Hyderabad . 2023-07-04 . www.telegraphindia.com.
  52. Web site: A drag queen's odyssey . 2023-10-06 . The New Indian Express. 5 October 2023 .
  53. Web site: Cheeranjiva Sukhibhava. Spotify. 2 December 2021.
  54. Web site: Chudu Sexy Gurl. Spotify. 2 December 2021.
  55. Web site: Rangula Rangamma. Spotify. January 2021.
  56. Web site: Bisexual Ravanamma. Spotify. 10 December 2021.
  57. Book: Sastry . Patruni Chidananda . Asiletti . Rakesh . Dressing As a Goddess: A Drag Photobook by Patruni Sastry . 979-8740203089 .
  58. Book: Sastry . Patruni Chidananda . Das . Manab . Asileti . Rakesh . Biswas . Anindya . Chivukula . Raghavendra . Gangala . Santosh Kumar . Komaravelli . Akhil . Kumar . Ishwaku . Aerat . Xen . My Experiments with Drag: Sexy, Sacred and Suffocated . 13 May 2021 . Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp . 979-8503676037 . English.
  59. Web site: Noble . Barnes & . Life is DragPaperback . 2023-10-06 . Barnes & Noble . en.
  60. News: Subramanian. Aditi. 2019-11-11. The rainbow shines at Chennai's the Queer and Allies Art Festival. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-05-12. 0971-751X.
  61. Web site: Patruni Chidananda Sastry. 2021-05-12. Hyderabad Literary Festival 2021. en-US.
  62. Web site: Shajini S. R.. Aug 1, 2017. LGBT artists: LGBTQ art fest blurs boundaries, garners ovation Hyderabad News - Times of India. 2021-05-12. The Times of India. en.
  63. Web site: TelanganaToday. Ugadi celebrations at Shilparamam in Hyderabad. 2021-05-12. Telangana Today. en-US.
  64. News: The rainbow was in full bloom at this Queer Carnival - Times of India. 2021-05-12. The Times of India. 18 February 2020 . en.
  65. Web site: Rainbow shades of love. 2021-05-12. The New Indian Express. 2 March 2021 .
  66. Web site: BWW News Desk. Photos: Hyderabad Dance Festival Ends With A Rainbow Inclusion. 2021-05-12. BroadwayWorld.com. en.
  67. Web site: Samanta to connect communities through dance and art showcasing Kathak and Bharatnatyam dances by transgender women artistes from Jaipur and Hyderabad Indian Council for Cultural Relations. 2021-05-12. iccr.gov.in.
  68. News: 2022-04-08 . It feels great to have physical gatherings again: Hyderabad's LGBTQ+ community . The Times of India . 2023-07-04 . 0971-8257.
  69. Web site: News Desk . 2022-10-12 . Satrangi Mela: Queer culture to be celebrated in Hyderabad on Oct 15 . 2023-07-04 . The Siasat Daily . en-US.
  70. Web site: D'silva . Roxanne . 2023-04-02 . Join in on the extra-gay-vanza at Goa Pride Festival 2023 . 2023-07-04 . Gomantak Times . en.
  71. Web site: Soparrkar . Sandip . 2023-07-02 . Dragvanti: Drag goes desi . 2023-07-04 . Pune Times Mirror . en.
  72. Web site: Sukwindeer. Singh. publication. 2019-10-24. Hyderabad witnesses Four Play, an Interactive Art Performance. 2021-05-12. Gaylaxy Magazine. en-US.
  73. Web site: Need of the hour: More acceptance for those suffering with mental health issues- The New Indian Express. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511164301/http://cms.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/health/2019/oct/15/need-of-the-hour-more-acceptance-for-those-suffering-with-mental-health-issues-2047662.html. dead. 11 May 2021. 2021-05-12. cms.newindianexpress.com.
  74. News: Queer carnival 2019 ended on a gay note in the city - Times of India. 2021-05-12. The Times of India. 14 February 2019 . en.
  75. News: Activists spread AIDS awareness through performance art - Times of India. 2021-05-12. The Times of India. 26 November 2019 . en.
  76. Web site: Shilparamam opens with a play on Coronasura. 2021-05-12. The New Indian Express. 7 October 2020 .
  77. Web site: 70/100 (Short 2020) - IMDb. 2021-06-01. www.imdb.com. en-US.

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