Peshawari drag

It is getting a bit on the wrong side of etiquette, with bored young queens throwing all caution to the wind. As the hours tick lazily by at a late-night ball, first comes the loud music, then the lewd gestures. And then, some stunning dance moves from androgynous boys whose only claim to fame are monikers borrowed from Lollywood sirens.

But then Khushboo, the host, makes a dramatic appearance, and a hush descends over the hall. The lights are suddenly turned down. An audible collective gasp (whether of shock or admiration, you cannot tell) hangs over the audience as Khushboo, decked in drag, walks in like a vision – a skimpy Madhuri Dixit choli and ghagra, with heavy jewellery and tonnes of make-up.