ड्र्यागमंडु – एक फोटो श्रृंखला

How do I explain how I felt during Kathmandu’s first drag show? 

I was excited, happy and free. 

I was drunk off this weird feeling that I had never felt before. I thought I knew what freedom felt like, but this was different. It was next level freedom.  

At one point, I was sitting near the window to get some fresh air when I saw so many people outside the restaurant staring at us. I found it really funny. I felt like their brains were so confused to see us. All of us. 

I still can’t figure out why I felt the way I did. Maybe it was because I had always felt different, but here, amongst all of these people, I also felt at home. I saw so many different people dancing, smiling and laughing like crazy. I could not stop dancing. I could not stop myself from enjoying. I could not stop myself from looking around and smiling just like everyone else. 

That night, I felt connected to everyone. I felt accepted. This feeling was definitely rare, but it was beautiful.

Jyoti Shrestha is a photographer based in Kathmandu. Her work focuses on depicting, questioning and challenging Nepal’s patriarchal norms. Jyoti has volunteered with Blue Diamond Society, leading workshops on gender fluidity. Follow her on Behance and Instagram. Read more about Dragmandu here.