A Thousand Years of Dreaming

Set on the sacred banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, A Thousand Years of Dreams explores my personal journey as a queer individual in India, reflecting on themes of identity, spirituality, and love. The performance-based project is centred around a symbolic queer marriage ceremony between my lover and me, representing not just a union of love but a spiritual search for acceptance in a deeply heteronormative society. This ritualistic act reflects a longing for a world where queer identities are embraced, both by society and the divine.
Dressed in sculptural costumes and masks made from latex, kafan, beads, and temple offerings, my lover and I embody the queer struggle and resilience. These costumes transform us into sacred figures, adorned with materials that symbolize rebirth, death, and the ongoing cycle of life. The natural landscapes of the Ganga contrast with urban chaos, underscoring the tension between a peaceful, inclusive space and a world that often excludes and marginalizes queer people.
The project also delves into the metaphor of the “second skin,” the masks queer individuals must wear in society to fit in. Through performance, I explore the process of masking and shedding, cleansing and adorning, symbolizing the weight of societal expectations and the liberation of embracing one’s true self.
By drawing on Hindu mythology, ritual, and the sacredness of Varanasi, A Thousand Years of Dreams becomes a space for queer identities to be honored and celebrated. It is a reflection of my own dreams, struggles, and desires, offering a vision of a future where queer love is accepted and allowed to bloom, even in the most challenging of environments.