On this episode, Priya talks to Chef Navin Hariprasad and his husband, Andrew Pettke. The two, along with their friend Sarah Hartshorne, formed team Mystikka Masala and won The Great Food Truck Race , Season 12! Navin and Andrew open up about their relationship and their unique wedding (including a drag queen minister!) Navin also shares what drag means to him, as well as how he fell in love with cooking. The two talk about their journey as restauranteurs, and what it was like to bring their Ind...
Aug 05, 2020•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 10
On this episode, Priya talks to a panel of three queer South Asian artists about their work and how the arts have been affected by the pandemic: Bhumi Patel, an artist, activist and dancer; Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a visual artist, performer and curator; and Ashok Sinha, a board member of the India Center Foundation, which started the South Asian Arts Resiliency Fund to assist U.S.-based South Asian arts workers. Bhumi and Zulfikar talk about their art, including how their experiences have informed ...
Apr 22, 2020•55 min•Season 3Ep. 9
On this episode, Priya chats with Dinesh Patel, a cook, pastry chef and finalist of "MasterChef India" Season 5. Dinesh shares his earliest memories of being in the kitchen and how he fell in love with cooking. Later, Priya asks about how Dines ended up on the show, and what his favorite part of the experience was. Later, the two chat about doing work in our communities to challenge stereotypes of LGBTQ+ people and the undue pressure on coming out. Finally, the two play a MasterChef-themed rapid...
Apr 08, 2020•55 min•Season 3Ep. 8
How does this pandemic disproportionately affect marginalized communities? What can we do to protect ourselves? How can we support health care workers? On this episode, Priya chats with Dr. Musaub Khan, a queer Muslim Pakistani-American physician in New York. Musaub shares how the virus has spread and what he's seeing on the frontlines at his hospital. He also offers tips for staying safe, and shatters some myths about the virus, including how it's transmitted, its effect on younger people and m...
Mar 28, 2020•35 min•Season 3Ep. 7
On this episode, Priya chats with Nakul Dev Mahajan, an award-winning Bollywood choreographer best known for his 12 years of choreography on "So You Think You Can Dance." The two begin talk about "So You Think..." and the journey that led Nakul to open NDM Bollywood Dance Studios, one of the most popular Bollywood dance schools in the U.S. He opens up about his earliest memories of dance and talks about the cultural reckoning he faced in pursuit of it. Later, he shares what it was like coming ou...
Mar 22, 2020•58 min•Season 3Ep. 6
On this special bonus episode, we talk to Amrit Kapai, one of the cast members of Bravo's brand-new reality show, " Family Karma ." The show follows the lives of seven young Indian-Americans as they navigate the pressures of adulthood, while maintaining deep-rooted ties to their culture. Amrit, who identifies as gay, talks to Priya about what it was like to come out in such a close-knit community, how his parents took the news, and most importantly, why he felt that being a part of this show was...
Mar 07, 2020•21 min
On this episode, we welcome Amir & Aamir, a gay South Asian married couple and the hosts of the "You Don't Love Me" podcast. Priya opens the conversation with Amir & Aamir talking about their experiences as queer people of color in New York City and the U.K., as well as around the world. They also share how they met and fell in love, as well as why they started the podcast. Later, they share details from their recent event with London's Club Kali, the longest-running South Asian LGBTQ+ p...
Feb 26, 2020•54 min•Season 3Ep. 5
On this episode, Priya chats with Rav Bansal, a former contestant on The Great British Bakeoff. Rav opens up about what it was like to come out publicly last year, and what it meant to come to terms with his sexuality as a Sikh man. Later, the two chat about Bake Off and Rav shares what his experience was like on the show as well as how baking is still part of his life. Later, the two play a fun, baking-themed rapid-fire round and Priya's latest favorite game, "Instagram vs. Reality"! Season 3 o...
Feb 12, 2020•39 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode, Priya chats with Kareem Khubchandani, an assistant professor at Tufts University and performance artist also known as LaWhore Vagistan. The two chat about drag and performance art in queer South Asian spaces, and Kareem opens up about his own experiences and research on the subject. Later, he talks about his upcoming book, "Ishtyle: Accenting Gay Indian Nightlife." Finally, the two play a few games, including a rapid fire round and Instagram vs. Reality! Season 3 of Queering Des...
Jan 22, 2020•36 min•Season 3Ep. 3
On this week’s episode, Priya talks to Shiva Raichandani, the principal dancer and lead instructor of London School of Bollywood! You may also recognise him from Britain's, India's and France’s Got Talent. The two talk about everything from expressing gender in dance and problematic representations in Bollywood, to Shiva’s own forthcoming short film, “Queer Parivaar,” based on an interfaith queer South Asian romance. Later the two play a fun rapid-fire round, and Priya debuts a new game called "...
Dec 18, 2019•46 min•Season 3Ep. 2
On the season 3 premiere, Priya chats with actress Sonam Kapoor. The two talk about "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga," a Bollywood film released earlier this year in which Sonam plays a lesbian who struggles to come out to her family. The two chat about why LGBTQ activism is so close to Sonam's heart, what it was like to shoot the film and its box office and critical reception. Later, Priya asks Sonam about topics affecting Bollywood, including the (somewhat stalled) #MeToo movement and the gend...
Dec 04, 2019•32 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On the season finale of Queering Desi, Priya chats with YaliniDream, a Ilankai Tamil Blood, Manchester-Born, Texas-Bred and Brooklyn-Brewed storyteller and spiritual creator who blends poetry, theater, dance and song, with expertise in integrating arts and organizing. Yalini shares their inspiration for the work they do, and how they see it as a facilitation between the Earth and Sky. They talk about their early experiences around faith and intangible forces, and how the pressure to assimilate i...
Aug 21, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 12
On this episode, Priya talks to Sundeep Morrison, a queer Punjabi Sikh writer, actress, director, author and activist. Priya asks Sundeep about what drives her art, and Sundeep shares her experience with the Oak Creek shooting. The two chat about the aftermath, and the ways that racism still affects them post-9/11. Sundeep shares how she turned this story into "Rag Head," her one woman show, and her connection to the Sikh faith. The two then talk about their experiences with gender and sexuality...
Aug 09, 2019•33 min•Season 2Ep. 11
On this episode, Priya chats with Sikh Knowledge, a producer/DJ from Montreal. Priya asks Sikh about his beats, and he shares how world music blended together in his early musical influences. The two chat about what it means for all our identities come together and shape our work, and Sikh shares the way he incorporates flavors of his narratives into his music. Later, Sikh talks about how creating has become a tool to heal, and how his queerness intersects with Sikhism and Punjabi culture. Priya...
Jul 10, 2019•40 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode, Priya chats with Sameer Jha, a queer and trans youth activist. Sameer talks about why their advocacy centers around schools and how educational system can be more inclusive of queer and trans youth. Sameer opens up about bullying and their journey in supportive spaces at a new school to embark on their own journey. Priya then asks Sameer about the negative stereotypes they faced within the South Asian community, and Sameer shares signs they received that made them feel ashamed a...
Jun 26, 2019•52 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In this episode, Priya chats with Charmaine Hussain, the proud mom of a queer and trans teenager. Charmaine talks about early childhood experiences for her child, Sameer, and the gender stereotypes that she fell into. Priya then asks about how Charmaine started to confront these assumptions, and Charmaine shares her initial reaction to Sameer's coming out. She opens up about how Sameer helped her navigate her questions and a pivotal experience that opened up their private journey to the public. ...
Jun 26, 2019•54 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In honor of Pride month, we're celebrating with brand new episodes every week! This week, Priya chats with Raj Kalra and talks weddings and parenting! Raj identifies in SO many ways: gay, Indian, and also a dad, husband, OG Lamb, television executive and producer, son, brother and 5x Fantasy Football Champion. The two start off by reflecting on what Pride means to them and why this year feels especially important. Then, Raj talks about his wedding in 2014, a celebration that brought together wes...
Jun 20, 2019•52 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In honor of Pride month, we're celebrating with brand new episodes every week! This week, we chat with Vishaal Reddy, the star and creator of the new limited series, "Insomnia," about a bisexual Indian man who moonlights as an escort. Vishaal talks about the real-life incident behind the inception of the show, and the lack of representation that drove him to write it. Priya and Vishaal discuss the (absence of) on-screen portrayal of South Asian sexuality and desirability, and Vishaal delves into...
Jun 13, 2019•39 min•Season 2Ep. 6
We're kicking off Pride month with several new episodes! First up, we have Fatimah Asghar, a poet, filmmaker, educator and performer. Priya asks Fatimah about Brown Girls , an Emmy-Nominated web series that highlights friendships between women of color. Later, they chat about Fatimah's debut book of poems, If They Come For Us , the elusive idea of home, and ancestral trauma. The episode wraps with Fatimah's advice to her younger self, and what's coming next for her. You can follow Fatimah on Twi...
Jun 01, 2019•28 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this week's episode, Priya talks to Nik Sharma, the writer, photographer, and food blogger behind A Brown Table. The two chat about Nik's early beginnings growing up in a bicultural household in India, from how he found his love for cooking to starting his own blog and switching careers. Nik shares the racism he faced through the early days of his blog, and how these experiences impacted him. Later, he talks about coming out as a gay man, representation, and how his identities influence his w...
Feb 28, 2019•48 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This week, Priya chats with Shelly Chopra Dhar, director and co-screenwriter of the new Bollywood film, “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga,” Bollywood’s first mainstream queer love story since “Fire.” The two talk extensively about the film, from what it was like to cast the film to the lukewarm box office response in India, and why we didn't see more of Sweety (Sonam Kapoor) and Kuhu's (Regina Cassandra) relationship on screen. Shelly talks about her intended audience, and Priya even asks about t...
Feb 13, 2019•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
This week, Priya chats with Antony Amourdoux, a contestant on Season 6 of Netflix's "Great British Baking Show." Priya asks what being on the show was like, and how Antony's life has changed since. He shares how he found his love of baking, and how he (accidentally!) ended up on the show. Later, Priya asks about his journey as a gay man, and Antony shares what it was like coming to terms with his sexuality alongside all his other identities. The two wrap up with a rapid-fire about his favorite m...
Jan 30, 2019•43 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In the first episode of Season 2, Priya chats with Humza, also known as his drag avatar, MangHoe Lassi. The two chat about how he found his love for drag, and what inspires those striking drag looks. Priya asks Humza the secret to his incredible makeup skills, and he shares the inspiration behind his looks. Humza shares his experiences at DragCon and what an important space it has been for him. Later, he gets real about his struggle embracing his Muslim identity in light of his queer identities,...
Jan 16, 2019•46 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this week's episode, Priya chats with Durga Gawde, an artist and activist based in India. The two chat about Durga's recent feature on Vice India, talking about what it’s like to be a genderfluid person. Durga also shares how they embraced their fluidity, what it was like to come out as pansexual and genderfluid, the struggles of gender presentation in India and how they became India’s first drag king. Season 1 of the podcast is ending soon! Come celebrate Pride month, and a historic first se...
Jun 20, 2018•42 min•Season 1Ep. 15
This week on Priya chats with singer and actor Vardaan Arora about his journey from New Delhi to New York, and the origins of his love for pop music. Two discuss South Asian representation in the entertainment industry, and Vardaan shares his personal experience with mental illness and how his identities fuel the lyrics and music he creates. As they wrap up, Vardaan and Priya chat about recent celebrity suicides and the challenges of addressing mental health in the South Asian community.
Jun 13, 2018•38 min•Season 1Ep. 14
This week, Priya chats with DJ Rekha, founder of Basement Bhangra™ — one on New York City's longest running club nights. Rekha reflects on what it was like to achieve a 20-year milestone with Basement Bhangra, and what life has been like since the party wrapped. The two chat about the history of music in the South Asian queer movement, and Rekha shares what it's like to create and hold spaces for South Asian LGBTQ+ folks as a DJ. Later, Priya asks Rekha about her take on Bollywood remixes and re...
Jun 06, 2018•50 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This week, Priya chats with Alok Vaid-Menon, a gender non-conforming writer and performance artist. The two chat about Alok's journey, from their love for writing to the social justice that underlines all their work. Priya and Alok also chat about making room for non-binary folks in the queer and trans movement, how homophobia and transphobia intersects with other systems of oppression, and what it means to heal from the violence that affects trans people of color — and all of us.
May 30, 2018•37 min•Season 1Ep. 12
This week, Priya chats with Dr. Riddhi Sandil, a licensed psychologist and co-founder of the Sexuality, Women and Gender (SWG) Project at Teachers College, Columbia University. The two start by discussing what it means to hold multiple marginalized identities and the taboo of discussing mental wellbeing in South Asian communities. Priya asks Dr. Sandil about her research, and the two work to address and deconstruct the top myths our communities believe about therapy. Later, the two discuss what ...
May 23, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This week, Priya chats with Vivek Shraya, whose body of work includes several albums, films, and books. The two chat about Vivek’s first collection of poetry, “even this page is white,” including its groundbreaking boldness in calling out white supremacy and what it’s like to look back on the collection now. The two also discuss Vivek’s latest album, “Part-Time Woman,” and the depth and message of Priya’s favorite track, Brown Girls. Later, Vivek gives us a glimpse of her upcoming book, “I’m Afr...
May 16, 2018•40 min•Season 1Ep. 10
This week, Priya chats with Rohan, the CEO —or as he prefers, the Bolly heRO—of Doonya, a danced-based, high-intensity interval training dance fitness program. Rohan shares the origins of his love for dance, garba circles, and Madhuri Dixit. He shares how his identity as a gay man was impacted by cultural and gender norms, and how he paved the way to self-acceptance. Priya asks Rohan how his journey shaped the way he now runs Doonya, and later, Rohan shares his three biggest dance loves. With Bo...
May 09, 2018•51 min•Season 1Ep. 9
