A bright red light of NYC’s South Asian drag scene joins the cast of Dragistan this weekend: Lal Batti! [Cover photo: @people_i_love__]
Thotyssey: Hello Lal, thanks for chatting with us today! How has your summer been so far, and are you sad that it’s coming to a close?
Lal Batti: Summer has been phenomenal, and I’m more than sad it’s ending. I’ve been a full time drag queen this year until this September, and it’s been amazing to just focus on art and family and fun. But I got 40th birthdays coming up, and a larger income is required.
Understandable! Hopefully you’ll find time for some drag magic moments throughout the rest of the year. How might you describe your drag today?
To me, I feel I haven’t changed much. My make up has gotten better, I had boobs, I lost boobs, and now I have double d’s (thank you Temu), I’ve learned to manage a wig, but aesthetically I’m the same–a Bollywood whore bringing culture to wherever I go.
I actually notice that you seem to largely perform wigless, with your real hair a-flowing!
Well, I’ve always loved the lesbian look… I mean, Henrietta’s was my first drag performance venue back in 2015. Also everyone goes crazy when a wig comes off and the hair underneath is still femme.
Another signature in your aesthetic are the three dots you draw on your chin. What is the origin of that?
The dots are very cultural. The dots are very village girl; they are meant to ward off evil, to protect from Nazar. And when everyone’s eyes are on you, a little protection never hurts. Plus, they are my hallmark signature now!
What’s the origin of your drag name, by the way?
So “Lal Batti” means red light, like the district. I’ve always been obsessed with the red light district, ever since I learned the word “whore” in the 5th grade when this girl called my mom a whore, and I asked what that meant. She told me to ask my mom… so I did. My mom wasn’t too happy with that, but eventually I got to a dictionary and my mom told me it starts with a “w.” I read the definition a person who sells their body for money, and immediately shouted out “That is you! You go to work and you need to be there to get paid.” We are all whores in one way or another. I even had a shirt in high school that had all the red light districts mentioned all over the world.
But also, in college I kissed my first boy and realized I was into men at a red light party (if the red light was on, that means the party was up and running). So, only fitting that my name be “red light.” However, if you are too young to know what the red light district is…. then I’m just a red light where you stop and stare.
Do you have any favorite divas of the East and West to interpret in your numbers?
I’m of a much older scene than the new Gen Z girls. But if we go to Bollywood, there are two iconic voices that definitely people would say are very Lal: Sapna Awasthi (who is recently making an iconic revival) and Ila Arun. Their voices, I would say, are similar to a Janis Joplin’s husky tone.
Can you share a bit of your origin story with us?
Well, I’m an Elmhurst [Queens] native and grew up in Long Island, went to college in Philly, and med school in the Caribbean. When I moved back to Williamsburg in 2010 during my last two years of med school, I traveled to different states and different hospitals… and the gay bars at that time were full of drag (not all of it amazing, but all of it bringing society together and creating a space for the community). After helping two of my close friends rise in drag, I thought “why don’t I do this as well? There is a space and a need for a South Asian drag queen, because I have yet to meet one.”
After a Halloween of dressing up as a Targaryen princess, Robin Mathew asked me if I would be the desi Vanna White to Linda Simpson’s drag bingo on February 14th. I immediately said yes, and that was herstory. After poorly dressing up and having fun, Linda asked me to come back… and I had become a paid drag queen in NYC.
Later I learned there were other desi drag queens, just not in the circles I was in. And come to 2026, we have so many out and proud desi drag queens! We even have a desi drag diva brunch in New York started by Malai that happens once a month at a Michelin star restaurant in the East Village (Ishq), where tickets are usually sold out within 12 hours. And we have a huge event at 3 Dollar Bill called Dragistan showcasing many desi drag queens from all over.
There’s a huge market / community for queer desi parties and shows in this town! Do you often feel like you’re seeing a lot of the same folks showing up to all of these events that you attend or work at?
Oh, God no … its crazy! So when I started we had the fabulous Sholay parties. When we saw those parties fully packed and at capacity, DJ DynAmite, Teju, and I began Yuva, and as that grew more and more parties started coming up like DJ Tauba’s Jazbah,and also another monthly Salga Happy hour at Atlas Social Club. Currently there is at least one LBGTQAI+ event weekly in NYC, if not more. And more and more are coming, each one catering to a different area of our community.
It is amazing how many people NYC has, and how diverse our people are… not just in the majority but also in the minority groups. Not many people can comprehend what NYC has, until you leave it and realize how lucky we are.
I didn’t know you were an OG at Yuva! That’s still a massively successful desi party, usually at Red Eye these days.
Yuva started many, many years ago with DynAmite as the DJ, Teju picking out the venues, and me as the drag queen. Eventually Teju stepped back and I left for LA, and now DynAmite carries the torch on with new entertainment. I still try not to miss a single one, because they are so damn fun! The next one will be September 19th, and tickets will be available at Red Eye.
Drag star and scholar LaWhore Vagistan brings back the annual drag festival Dragistan to 3 Dollar Bill on August 29, and you’ll be performing! What can you tell us about the festival, and what we can expect from this weekend’s show?
I’ve been doing Dragistan since it first began in Fire Island four years ago (with the exception of last year). The festival is a huge mix of different drag performers from different South Asian genres and generations coming together to meet and entertain. Every year, the girls pull out epic stunts and huge productions; this year will be no exception! I’m still working on my number, but this year I’m hoping to pay homage to the people that keep all us queens going: our fans and our family, chosen and not.
You also have a recurring show in Brooklyn.
Yes, my monthly show at All Night Skate–deep in Ocean Hill (or as I like to call it, BedWhick Hills – Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Ocean Hill). “Housing Krisis” is an open mic set for the queens / kings / entertainers of the community. Originally it started out as a way for the unhoused drag stars to have an outlet to perform and earn cash–thus, the early timing from 6 to 9, as sometimes those in the system need to be back by 10 to the facilities. The next show is September 16th, and open to all that would like to participate. The instructions will be on my Insta by next week.
What else is coming up for you?
Haha, I think I plugged everything and everyone I can think of! Well, except for my Sistiger (sister manager) Sarika Narang, without whose support and clothes Lal would not exist (even when we are fighting, lol). Also, stay tuned for a South Asian nightlife awards night… to come in 2027.
Exciting! Okay, lastly, this old chestnut: what’s your favorite or most essential item in your drag bag?
A backup outfit or two. You never know when another girl may need to borrow an article of clothing, or when you’re asked to do something extra. If I don’t change an outfit at least twice a show, then am I selling you the Bollywood dream?
Thanks, Lal!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Lal Batti’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
Thotyssey 