Drag Me to Heaven

About Drag Me to Heaven

Welcome to "Drag Me to Heaven," the podcast where we explore the divine intersection of drag artistry and spirituality. Hosted by drag artist and performer Patruni Sastry from Hyderabad, this show delves into the spiritual journeys and faith experiences of drag artists from around the globe. Each episode features heartfelt and thought-provoking conversations, shedding light on how the art of drag intersects with personal beliefs, rituals, and diverse spiritual practices. We aim to create a safe and celebratory space to honor the unique ways queer individuals find meaning, purpose, and connect

Publisher

Patruni Sastry

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Dec 2024

Latest episode

7 May 2025

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 May 2025

   La Faust: Channeling the Divine through Alt-Drag and Ritual Aesthetics

   In this evocative Season 2 episode of Drag Me To Heaven, we venture into the surreal and sacred universe of La Faust, an alternative drag artist from Goa whose work is redefining the edges of drag, spirituality, and pedagogy. Known for crafting hauntingly beautiful and religiously charged visuals, La Faust explores the rich tension between ritual and rebellion, sacredness and subversion. Through performance, La Faust becomes both priest and prophet—using alt-drag as a form of ritualized storytelling, queer resistance, and spiritual invocation. In our conversation, we delve into how her drag persona channels religious imagery, spirit possession, and alternative learning to breathe life into queer expression in postcolonial, faith-bound spaces like Goa. We discuss the importance of spirituality as a private and political act, the aesthetic of faith-based drag, and how embracing the mystical can empower queer artists to heal, resist, and transform. From ancestral echoes to divine drag transformations, La Faust’s journey invites us to see drag not just as performance—but as a sacred rite of becoming. ✨ Join us for a meditative, magical, and mind-opening dialogue with one of India’s most enigmatic and powerful voices in alternative drag. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

2. 

   30 Jan 2025

   LaWhore Vagistan: Aunty Culture as Resistance, Drag as Possession

   In this thought-provoking episode of Drag Me to Heaven, I sit down with LaWhore Vagistan, the dazzling and unapologetic drag persona of Kareem Khubchandani—a researcher, performer, and activist whose work spans queer nightlife, South Asian diaspora, ethnography, and performance studies. As an academic and artist, Khubchandani seamlessly weaves together storytelling, stand-up comedy, body art, and digital media, using drag as both a pedagogical and performative tool. Our conversation delves into three transformative themes that define LaWhore Vagistan’s work: the Aunty as a symbol of resistance to drag as political activation and challenges of appropriations . We explore how the figure of the Aunty—often seen as a gatekeeper of culture and tradition—can also be reclaimed as a site of defiance, humor, and survival, embodying both power and subversion in South Asian communities. Through this lens, LaWhore Vagistan challenges the boundaries between gender discipline, queerness, and cultural identity, reimagining the Aunty as a force of resilience rather than repression. Beyond performance, LaWhore Vagistan’s work is deeply political, using drag as a site of activism and resistance. We examine how she disrupts colonial, gendered, and heteronormative narratives through her academic work, public performances, and community organizing. From reimagining South Asian queer nightlife in Ishtyle: Accenting Gay Indian Nightlife to performing at global festivals and queer spaces, her work bridges academia and activism, demonstrating how drag can be a tool for social change. This episode is a powerful reflection on the radical potential of drag as more than just entertainment—it is a cultural statement, a spiritual journey, and a political act. LaWhore Vagistan’s insights challenge us to rethink performance as a space of resistance, joy, and liberation. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that reshapes the way we view drag, faith, and the power of South Asian queer identity. pic by Caroline Alden

3. 

   8 Jan 2025

   Gods, Kings, and Drag: Emperor Naaz on Reimagining Faith Through Queer Eyes

   In this bonus episode of Drag Me to Heaven, Sas (Patruni Sastry) sits down with Bombay’s own Emperor Naaz, a trailblazing drag king known for their ability to channel sacred energies through their art. Together, they explore the intricate relationship between drag and spirituality, delving into how performers can respectfully incorporate sacred imagery and cultural references into their work. From embodying divine archetypes to creating transformative narratives, Sas and Naaz share personal experiences of using drag to affirm identity, reclaim heritage, and build connections to something greater than themselves. They discuss the ethical considerations of representing spirituality in queer performance, how intention shapes artistry, and the healing power of merging the sacred with the boldness of drag. This episode is an invitation to reflect on the beauty of queerness as a divine force and drag as a medium for honoring spirituality while challenging conventions. A celebration of creativity, reverence, and authenticity, this conversation highlights how drag transcends boundaries to become a profound act of affirmation and empowerment.

Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

90

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Drag Me to Heaven

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.