Thumka Thursdays: A Butch Shilpa finds her “Jogan”

How do you feel about Shilpa Shetty as a gay icon? She’s always been one in my dancey-Bolly brain with her undeniably fabulousness. Everything from the super lusterous locks (sure, that’s not a weave…and I look like Hrithik Roshan) to her liquid liner rimmed eyes, to her may-as-well-be lethal thumka, to her very own Bollywood love story, screams for every gay man to want to be her…or at least be her friend.

In this week’s Thumka Thursday song, “Jogan Jogan” from Badhaii Ho Badhaii, Shilpa’s queer-friendly status was totally redefined for me.

In the west, we automatically assume that a strong gate, severe hair cut and low voice equates to butchness. In Bollywood, whenever these item songs (think the non-center of attraction in “Choli Ke Peeche” or “Pardesi”) are painted as handsome women rather than beautiful. Shilpa’s ability to werrrk in this song as the delicate jogi in love with Anil Kapoor lip synching to an earthy tenor voice and dancing to super masculine movements blurs gender lines.

The idea of blending of masculinity with femininity is an over arching theme in classical Indian dance citing Shiva’s half-man, half-woman Ardhanarishvara form. Consciously or not, Shilps demonstrated that we all don’t have to live in the boxes constructed by society. Bring on the gays, lesbians, trannys and drag kings/queens. #doyou

Ok, enough with the semi-deep dance theory. On to the song.

This article (it is called Thumka Thursdays, after all) wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the chorus step where Shilpa rocks her pelvis so vigorously that it’s hard to believe it didn’t get stuck in some concocted position. Mad props to the choreographer for knowing to add the foot drop. (If you are ever trying to hip it up at a Sholay party, just throw your foot out and your hip will automatically do what you want it to.) Her village-esq moves describing her never ending love are endearing and combine grace with strength….don’t eff it up Anil, Shilpa and the gang could beat you with mutkas.

Before you listen to the song, think about the greatest love you’ve known thus far. If the feelings you shared don’t match the RECIPROCAL sentiments of “Jogan Jogan,” don’t worry, he or she is still out there waiting for you.

Until next week, “maine tere hi liye jogaliya hai…” Happy jogan hunting!

xoxo