Bollywood Dancing at the Scarsdale Library

You never know what you’ll learn at Scarsdale Library. On a dreary Saturday last week I found myself following Bollywood dance moves with some very enthusiastic parents and young children, lead by Indian Drag Queen Malai, who’s name translates from Hindi to “cream.” And she was as rich and smooth as cream. Dressed in a wig, a sparkling gown, bangles and a crown she had everyone in the Scott Room rapt with her charms.

Malai, who lives in Jackson Heights, where she is known as Queen Malia, was invited to the library as part of a story hour for Scarsdale kids. Before the dancing began, Author Jyoti Rajan Gopal read from her beautifully illustrated book, Desert Queen, a true story about Queen Harish, drag performer from Rajasthan, India. Jyoti explained that she had travelled to Rajasthan with her family where she saw Drag Queen Harish dance and was totally taken with the performance. When she later learned that he had passed away in a car accident, she set out to research his life and wrote Desert Queen as an homage. The book is a 2024 Stonewall Award honoree.

Queen Harish, the books main character, lost his parents as a child and had to take care of himself and his two younger sisters on his own. He discovered that when he dressed as a woman and danced it quieted his worries and his heart was at peace.Jyoti Rajan Gopal displays her books.

The children listened respectfully to the book and jumped at the chance to dance with Malai, who bright light and a little bit of magic to a rainy weekend in the ‘Dale.

Jessica Kaplan and Olivia Abramowitz from Bronx River Books were on hand with copies of Desert Queen.