Queer Sabha: A Pride Celebration of South Asian Art, Faith, and Identity
Cofounded by Sathvik Nair and Vinithra Sudhakar, DC Sabha is a monthly DC-based safe, inclusive, progressive and ant-caste space for performances and conversations focused on South Asian arts. Queer Sabha, cosponsored by Hindus for Human Rights and KhushDC, was our Pride Month themed gathering this past Saturday, June 21st.
For four hours, over a hundred of us sat cross legged on the floor or clustered together in the rows of chairs, with pizza, hot chai and fresh handmade bhel puri in hand. It was a magical night of captivating performances at the Festival Center that garnered intellectual discussions, handcrafted art and beautiful community.
Introduced by the graceful MC Nikash Harapanahalli, performances kicked off with the celebrated Dr. Rizwan Jagani. Dr Jagani presented goose-bump provoking viola renditions of evergreen songs such as Kun Faya Kun and Pasoori. His viola echoed grandly throughout the quiet room as everyone looked on with rapturous attention. Following him were Bhargavi Thakur, Sathvik Nair (tabla) and Tasneem Sultana (harmonium) who performed regional poems from Bihar, Odisha and Bengal, to represent the states that each performer hails from. These poems, all in different, underrepresented languages, explored and discussed themes of male sexuality and desire through Krishna and Ram bhakti. Finally, the night concluded with a stunning feature performance by singer Ben Parag accompanied by Anirudh Alva Changkoti, on the tabla, and Pranav Shikarpur, on the flute. They played everything from a classical khayal in Raag Chandrakauns to a bandish in Bhairavi, from the romantic Aaj Jaane ki Zid to the energetic, crowd pleaser, Mast Kalandar.
We sang, clapped and hummed along, some of us with eyes closed and soft smiles on our faces. New friends and community were made, because these performances were much more than just songs for us. They represented and celebrated our shared childhood, faith, culture, humanity, values and, of course, queerness.
Ben Parag sings “Mast Kalandar” accompanied by Anirudh Alva Changkoti on the tabla and Pranav Shikarpur on the flute.
Bhargavi Thakur sings with performers Sathvik Nair (tabla) and Tasneem Sultana (harmonium).
Dr. Rizwan Jagani performs the beloved “Kun Faya Kun” and speaks on its significance.