South Asia Institute Holds Its First Desi Queer Open Mic Night
By Efrain Soriano
“The crowd waited patiently on the second floor of the South Asia Institute on a Friday evening in June. Everyone quickly claimed a seat as the lights began to dim. Ankit Khadgi went on stage to share his own story of queer awakening, guilt, and acceptance in a piece titled “The Shameless Queer Guy.”
His performance was part of the South Asia Institute’s Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic. Desi is a term used…”
Astrid Houze does her friend Ajit Sharma’s makeup for Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling event at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Ill., Friday, June 16, 2023.
Ajit Sharma, who goes by the stage name Gulabi Rani, takes the stage for the first time since he immigrated to the U.S., for Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling event at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Ill., Friday, June 16, 2023. Rani was dressed in all red to match his drag name, which means Rose Queen in Nepali.
Ajit Sharma holds his wig in place as his friend combs it in preparation for Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling event in Chicago, Ill., Friday, June 16, 2023.
Shruthi Kannan kicks off Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling event with a performance of two Indian love songs at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Ill., Friday, June 16, 2023.
Ankit Khadgi prepares to share a story about his queer awakening for Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Ill., Friday, June 16, 2023
Ajit Sharma enters the stage as Gulabi Rani for Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Ill., Friday June 16, 2023.
Gulabi Rani walks around to sing and dance with audience members during his performance for Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling event at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Ill., Friday, June 16, 2023.
Akshaj Kilewala stands up as the final volunteer to tell a story of the evening for Satrangi: A Desi Queer Open Mic and Storytelling event at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Ill., Friday, June 16, 2023. Kilewala closed the night out with a story of queer self-acceptance