As an LGBT platform, with an editorial team of just three, it can be easy to become a little narrow-minded in what it means to be queer in the world. Like what about the east for example? We know very little about that, except it’s illegal….it is illegal right?
We recently discovered Dhruv Dhody‘s profile on Instagram (@curryngin) and so we figured we had to reach out and find out more…
First up, we know nothing about gay life in Bangalore. It’s still illegal, right?
Yes, it’s illegal. But technically what is is illegal is the term (as per the law) ‘unnatural sex – against the order of the nature…’ So being gay ain’t a crime, but gay sex sure is! And so is oral/anal sex between consenting heterosexuals! And about the gay life, it’s not all that bad.
How does that impact your daily life?
India is like nowhere else in the world – homophobia is totally different. I have never been afraid to walk down the streets wearing what I wear. I get the attention for sure, but if you wear that no-nonsense bitch face and strut your stuff down the street, no one would dare say anything! The hurt in India is in the family. Thank God I have been lucky there!
Is India as affected by apps like Grindr etc as Europe? Guessing if it is illegal all those apps don’t exist?
Oh, they do! And like anywhere else it is a mixed bag! For some reason Planet Romeo is still popular here!
What about expectations of ‘beauty’?
Like anywhere else Movies and TV are a good guide, and if we go by that, then a tall, fair, hairy, athletic sort of a lad would usually do the trick. In some circles, a moustache is still popular! Weirdly, you won’t find many people on Growlr, strange for a country with so much body hair!!
Do you want to stay in India or live abroad?
Growing up, all I wanted was to get out of India. But after traveling the world and making my fair share of rounds of the gay bars, I found that I belong more in India than anywhere else. Also, one should never say no, so maybe a fabulous gay island somewhere for me to retire might be nice!
To a Western eye, you are giving us some amazing ‘looks’ with your wardrobe! Have you always dressed like this?
Thank you! No, not always. I did my fair share of trying to fit in and wanting to belong, but luckily I found my unique style. I live to accessorize and for me it is the way to express, much of what is going on inside.
My mother and grandmother have always inspired me and I have an awesome set of friends with an equally unique outlook and style. India has a lot to be inspired by.
Your 9-5 sounds more of a desk job. But art is important to you as well, right?
Yes, I am techy and darn good at it. But you won’t accuse me of that if you meet me! Thank God for casual dressing at work!
Growing up, I learned Indian classical dance ‘Bharatnatyam’, and then I dabbled in designing. Not so much now!
Lastly we are named after the iconic Mariah song, ‘Loverboy’. What is your favourite Mariah song? (And as a bonus, tell us a song from India we should check out…)
Well that’s gotta be ‘Hero’! Because the hero lies in you 🙂 ! Still gives me goosebumps.
And if it is going to be one song from India, then check out Nucleya mixing this folk song that my mother used to sing at family weddings but with an EDM mix.
Find out more about Dhruv at www.dhruvdhody.com or on Facebook or Instagram.
