Eighteen artistes from the transgender community will dance to Bollywood songs with a live orchestra to support Queer Azadi March
Urmi Jadhav, Madhuri Sarode
Urmi Jadhav
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This evening, antiSOCIAL at Khar will shed its grungy vibe and don vibrant rainbow colours as the Dancing Queens take stage for a fundraiser concert that's part of the Social Supports campaign. The proceeds will go to the Mumbai Pride March. Composed of sexual minorities, the group, featuring 18 artistes, will showcase different eras of Bollywood through dance numbers — from yesteryear mujras to the sensual Kaate Nahin Kat Te and the more recent item numbers.
Madhuri Sarode
"This year, our theme is colours of love. So, we will showcase different shades of love and emotions corresponding with the colours of the Pride flag," says Sachin Awasthy, manager of the seven-year-old group.
Dancing Queens was conceptualised by Abhina Aher, a transgender social worker, and her daughters, Urmi Jadhav and Madhuri Nikam. Working on the HIV-AIDS programme for the transgender community, the troika was supported by The Humsafar Trust, and together, they put up the first performance of a Lavani act. Though successful, they soon shifted to Bollywood tracks.
"We wanted to reach out to a larger audience. It also gives us a chance to dress up diversely. In this performance, you will see dancers wearing chaniya cholis, sherwanis, both traditional and western costumes," says Awasthy. While the core team comprises Aher, Jadhav and Nikam, each performance sees a different set of artistes. This time, the group has also roped in transgender singer Samira Kale, who will sing to the tunes of a live orchestra.
Over the years, the group has had its share of ups and downs. The dancers faced mockery from some and for two years, Dancing Queens dispersed, only to return as a professional group and associated itself with the Queer Azadi March three years ago. "Since the shows aren't held on a commercial level, it is difficult to remunerate the dancers adequately.
Sometimes, we don't find space for rehearsals, especially when The Humsafar Trust is occupied. For artistes, devoting time, too, is a challenge since everyone has day jobs. Some transgenders survive on sex work and some on collecting badhai," says Awasthy. The group now plans to register itself as a social initiative to receive funding and conduct auditions to find talent within the community that can volunteer for the shows.
ON: Today, 6 pm
AT: antiSOCIAL, Rohan Plaza, 5th Road, Khar (W).
COST: Rs 300 (tickets at the venue)
CALL: 65226324
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