Rising Queer Voices in Indian Art: Celebrating Trans and Queer Masculine Creators
In 2025, India’s art and music scene is being boldly reshaped by queer and trans masculine artists, whose work is not just creative it’s revolutionary. These artists are amplifying stories that challenge stereotypes, celebrate identity, and inspire a generation to embrace authenticity and diversity. From soulful music to cutting-edge visual arts, these voices are redefining what it means to live and create openly as queer in India today.
Raano and Ruklashra: A Love Story in Song
Raano (Aahana) and Ruklashra (Ritu) have captured hearts across India with their soulful music and compelling love story. Hailing from Kolkata and Mumbai, their journey from a long-distance relationship to a collaborative artistic partnership has resonated deeply within the queer community.
Their Instagram videos, showcasing their musical talents and genuine connection, have garnered over 30,000 views, highlighting the power of love and art in fostering acceptance.
“Our love for music and singing pushed me to sing more and more. Later, we started singing together when we moved in together it was a casual video that we put online, and people instantly received us lovingly,” says Raano.
Their story is a testament to the fact that visibility matters and that queer love, expressed authentically, can be transformative.
Mahesh Sharma: Queer Perspectives in Visual Art
Mahesh Sharma’s exhibition, Nar + Nari: Finding Harmony in Opposites, explores the interplay of masculine and feminine energies. Sharma portrays them not as opposites but as complementary forces, inviting audiences to reconsider binary thinking.
Sharma’s work combines philosophy, tradition, and modern design to highlight the fluidity of identity, encouraging viewers to explore the nuanced space between gender norms. In 2025, his art remains a touchstone for conversations around queer visibility in Indian visual culture.
Durga Gawde: India’s First Drag King
Durga Gawde, a genderfluid, nonbinary, and pansexual performer, is widely recognized as India’s first drag king. Their performances and installations explore queerness with humour, poignancy, and political resonance. Gawde challenges traditional gender roles while giving trans masculine and nonbinary individuals a platform to express themselves publicly.
“Every performance is a reclamation of space, identity, and freedom,” says Gawde.
Through drag, performance art, and interactive workshops, Gawde is pushing India’s queer artistic narrative forward in bold, unapologetic ways.
Zoya Thomas Lobo: Trans Masculinity Behind the Lens
Zoya Thomas Lobo has made history as one of India’s first transgender photojournalists and influencers. Lobo’s lens captures stories that are often invisible, highlighting the resilience, beauty, and struggles of trans masculine individuals in India. Her work contributes to a growing archival of queer visibility, showing society that queer narratives belong in mainstream media.
Vrujen Andhare & Gee Imaan Semmalar: Queer Representation in Public Spaces
Vrujen Andhare, a finalist in Mr. Gay India 2025, represents evolving queer masculinity on a national stage, while Gee Imaan Semmalar, a trans activist and artist, continues to advocate for trans rights through art, education, and community initiatives. Both are reshaping how queer and trans masculine identities are perceived in public consciousness proving that representation and activism can go Handin hand.
They normalize queer and trans masculine experiences in mainstream Indian art and media. They challenge gender norms, societal expectations, and cultural stereotypes. They inspire younger generations to pursue creative work without hiding identity. They foster community, visibility, and solidarity, essential for LGBTQ+ empowerment.
From music to visual arts, trans and queer masculine creators in India are not just producing Contentnea are reshaping narratives, inspiring courage, and building inclusive spaces for generations to come. Their stories remind us that art is more than expression; it is activism, identity, and the celebration of love in all its forms.
