An Ode To The Desert Queen Of Jaisalmer

Who is Queen Harish?

He could have become a king, but chose to be a queen.

He could have easily done a 'manly' job but chose to become a dancer.

He is an Oasis amidst the desert He is graceful and alluring. Not to stop that he is bold and fierce. He played an important role in transforming the Indian cross-dressing arena.

The queen of hearts, the king of mankind, none other than Queen Harish.

Being a dancer wasn't a thing he could have opted for, if not for a mishap that killed both of his parents within a year.

Just 13, and the only surviving man of his family, he also had the responsibility of two unmarried sisters.

He knew nothing other than dance, and dance in his village meant ghagra-choli ; salsa,tango,modern forms weren't something he or they knew of.

"Aye Hinjra" , "Mardaani Aurat" were the terms he was accustomed to hearing. Drags queens/kings and Cross- dressers weren't a known thing his small village of Jaisalmer.

But he never left dancing , "I had to feed my family. The people jeering at me wouldn't give me food.If I were to give up dancing and look for a job, they won't even bother to give me two slices of bread" He recalled in one of the interviews.

His perseverance and hardwork finally paid. He soon became an internationally famous dancer. People from all over the world visited Rajasthan just to witness his shows.

Japan, Australia, U.S., his fame was far fetched.

The same village which used to tease him and mock his profession, today was proud of him. The international renown and boost he gave to Jaisalmer's tourism industry cannot be forgotten.

Everything was going smooth, he got acceptance, fame, a stable future for his sisters, but destiny had other plans.

Harish along with his troupe on Sunday, 2nd june, was travelling for a show, jubilant and excited.

Their driver did not notice the stationary truck that was parked on the side and while taking a steep turn, crashed the car into it. Harish and his three of his colleagues died on spot, thus bringing a tragic end to the world famous drag queen's life.

Harish had a dream, dream of becoming a well- renowned dancer. He also wanted to make the traditional Ghoomar, Kalbelia and Chari travel across the globe.

But the most important thing he waned was equality- of choice of profession, of being what you like to be and not what you ought to, of making dance not just limited to women but to all those who love it.

He was successful in breaking away the shackles that mankind was guarded by whole life, he presented in front of his village and our country a new form of man, which inspired many across India to do what they believe in.

He transformed not just the future of Indian cross-dressers but was the pioneer of a new thinking worldwide.

They say, the ones whom Gods like, die early, but dying with a cause and being remembered even after you die is tough.

Harish like a queen swiftly blurred it.
Who says life isn't a fairy-tale? With the determination and confidence Harish had it can easily be made one!