Join Satrang for a night of the queer and political history of Mujra through 8-10 numbers by local South Asian drag, burlesque, and cabaret performers, and will have elements of audience participation, such as on-stage dance challenges. Between the drag numbers, Satrang’s leaders will speak to the audience about the ways mujra has been used as a form of resistance against patriarchal oppression, the gender binary, and colonization, from the Mughal era, through British rule, to modern day South Asia and in communities of queer South Asians in Los Angeles and around the world.
A celebration of sensuality, Mujra is a bold and entertaining form of dance originated during the Mughal Era, which incorporated elements of Kathak, one of the nine major forms of Indian classical dance, which in ancient India was performed by travelling bards or kathakar (“storytellers”). Mughal-era Mujra combined the storytelling through hand movements, footwork and facial expressions, with Urdu poetry. Mujra dancers, called tawaifs, were trained not only in dance, but also literature/poetry, music, and Urdu writing. Tawaifs included young women, and members of the “third-gender” Hijra community.
Mujra offered a pathway to social and economic empowerment for women and gender-non-conforming individuals even back then and remains an important part of South Asian Queer and Trans history, and queer South Asian organizations across the world have hosted “Mujra Nights”.
This program may not be suitable for all ages.
Participant Bios:
Lady Bushra (Headliner – Drag Comedy) (He/Shey/They) Shortlisted for a BBC New Comedy Award, the internationally renowned, comedic character of ‘Lady Bushra’ is played by Amir Dean, amassing a social media following of over 600K across all platforms, whereas his online content has been viewed over 40 million times globally. Since 2022, this British Asian beauty has been touring the UK and parts of Europe with his often sold-out, solo show Drag Comedy Cabaret and now performs regularly across the US. Together with his husband, Amir also jointly hosts their regular podcast You Don’t Love Me.
Uma Rao (Indian Classical Dance) (She/Her) If there’s one thing Uma Rao loves, it’s a stage. A real showgirl, she’s an actor and dancer who loves to keep the audience on their toes. Strap in for drama and chaos, and always a good show!
Savi Bindaas (Drag) (They/Them) She’s 22, She’s serving, She’s been in drag her whole life, but tonight she’s owning it for the very first time—give it up for the unstoppable, Eccentric, Brand new Slutty Savitri!
Tas Al-Ghul (Burlesque) (She/They)
With caramelized curves and mile-high legs, it’s no wonder Tas Al-Ghul hypnotizes audiences all over the country. Known as the Bengal Bombshell, they are an award-winning queer South Asian performance artist. Tas is also the creator of Silk and Spice Arts, the new nonprofit behind Silk and Spice Rising, a pan Asian performance arts festival launched in 2024 as a fabulously diverse and inclusive celebration of Asian performance artists of all shapes, shades, sorts, and sizes.
Pansy St. Battie (Burlesque) (He/They) is a nonbinary disabled first-generation Indian model & burlesque performer. Their performances explore their experiences and identity alongside glamour, camp, and sex appeal. Their work has been featured in Refinery29, People magazine, and museums across the world.
Prahas Rudaraju (Indian Classical Dance/ Drag) (They/Them) is a non-binary Telugu dancer who spices up their drag performances with Indian classical dance.
Rae Oblivion (Drag) (She/her) is LA’s Desi Diva. This spicy treat has established herself in the West Hollywood Drag Scene with her regal beauty and fashion. Her show-stopping performances never fail to leave a mark on her audience.
This performance is organized by Satrang and is co-presented with the Los Angeles LGBT Center as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2025, presented by One Institute.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center is a safe and welcoming place where the LGBTQ+ community finds help, hope, and support when it is needed the most.
Satrang serves the South Asian LGBTQ community of Southern California by promoting awareness, acceptance, and empowerment through social, educational, and advocacy-related events. We envision an inclusive and visible community in which South Asian LGBTQ-identified people feel whole and heard.