Desert queen

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Desert queen

Title :

Desert queen / Jyoti Rajan Gopal & Svabhu Kohli.

Title:

Desert queen

Author:

Gopal, Jyoti Rajan

Format:

Books

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 29 cm

ISBN:

9781646142620

Production / Publication Information:

Montclair [New Jersey] : Levine Querido, 2023.

Summary:

"This picture book biography in verse follows the life of beloved Rajasthani drag performer Queen Harish, known as the Whirling Desert Queen of Rajasthan. Lit by an inner fire and propelled by a family tragedy, Harish defied the gender conventions of middle class Indian life, battled discrimination and intimidation, and eventually grew up to dance with Bollywood movie stars and on stages across the world. Jyoti Gopal's rhythmic phrases evoke the particular sounds and beats of the music Harish danced to, and capture the passions and conflicts of his life. The poignant and inspiring tale is interpreted by internationally acclaimed Rajasthani artist Svabhu Kohli in kohl-black lines and shapes and brilliant jewel-like colors"--

Language:

English

Added Author:

Kohli, Svabhu, 1990-

Genre:

Biographies.

Picture books.

Geographic Term:

Thar Desert (India and Pakistan) -- Juvenile literature.

Thar Desert (India and Pakistan)

Personal Subject:

Kumar, Harish, 1979-2019-Juvenile literature.

Kumar, Harish, 1979-2019.

Subject Term:

Drag queens -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.

Gender expression -- Juvenile literature.

Folk dancing, Indic -- Juvenile literature.

Drag queens.

Gender expression.

Folk dancing, Indic.

JUVENILE FICTION / General.

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Material Type	Library	Call Number	Item Barcode	Location
Book	Searching... Amesbury Public Library	E GOPAL	32114002806736	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Andover - Memorial Hall Library Children's Room	JE GOP	31330009402748	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Burlington Public Library	E GOPAL	32116004036725	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Chelmsford Public Library	J/BIOG/HARISH	31480011747034	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Hamilton-Wenham Public Library	JJ GOP	30470002183753	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Haverhill Public Library	J/BIOG/QUEEN	31479007684383	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Rockport Public Library	J PS GOPAL	32129002594819	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Tewksbury Public Library	J B HARISH	32132003439588	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... West Newbury - G.A.R. Memorial Library	J 92 QUEEN HARISH	32135001611181	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Wilmington Memorial Library	KIDS BIOGRAPHY HARISH	32136003600412	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

STONEWALL BOOK AWARD HONOR

BEST OF THE YEAR

Booklist - BookPage - Kirkus - BCCB

In a kaleidoscope of desert sands and swirling skirts, Queen Harish takes flight. This picture book biography, spun in vibrant verse by Jyoti Gopal, traces the journey of a beloved Rajasthani drag performer who defied tradition and dazzled the world.

Fueled by an inner fire, young Harish yearns to join the captivating desert dancers, their music pulsing through his veins. But societal constraints paint a narrow path, one that clashes with his vibrant spirit. Through lyrical stanzas and Svabhu Kohli's evocative art, Harish's story unfolds, a tapestry woven with resilience and the transformative power of dance.

From village gatherings to Bollywood stages, Queen Harish twirls her way into hearts, leaving a trail of shattered stereotypes and empowering others to embrace their true selves. This is a celebration of courage, finding your inner queen, and dancing to your own rhythm.

6 STARRED REVIEWS

★ "With art as shiny and glittery as the goddess herself, this picture book is nothing short of brilliant. An essential purchase."

--School Library Journal (starred)

★ "Both a celebration of art and a manifesto for living on one's own terms... Kohli's vibrant, kaleidoscope-like illustrations duet in harmony with Rajan Gopal's lyrical, rhythmic language."

-- Publishers Weekly (starred)

★ "This one-of-a-kind picture book paints a stirringly intimate and reverential portrait of the late drag performer known as Queen Harish, the Whirling Desert Queen of Rajasthan... As gorgeous and indefinable as Queen Harish herself, this book belongs on every shelf."

-- Booklist (starred)

★ "A fearlessly triumphant depiction of the wonder, magic and sparkle of dance."

-- BookPage (starred)

★ "Celebratory... striking."

-- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred)

★ "Vibrant, kaleidoscopic illustrations inspired by the desert environs and the textiles, architecture, and artwork of the city of Jaisalmer capture the joyful dancer's whirling and swirling movements... Lyrical poetry mirrors the sounds and beats of the local folk music and complements the dreamlike visuals. Evocative and electrifying."

-- Kirkus Reviews (starred)

"A love letter to gender fluidity, accompanied by stunning art full of vibrancy and warmth."

--Betsy Bird, Fuse8

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Based on the life of drag performer Queen Harish (1979--2019), this powerful biographical picture book is both a celebration of art and a manifesto for living on one's own terms. In the Thar Desert, where "there are lines in the sand/ that keep you in your place," young Harish is enchanted by music, but taps his feet and sways his fingers "softly, so no one sees." When he is orphaned soon after playing Lord Krishna at school, the youth begins performing to support himself and his sisters. On stage, the lines between genders blur--"SHE stands./ A goddess./ Shining, strong, proud." Living two lives ("Jeers and insults in the day./ Acclaim and applause at night"), Harish devotes himself to the craft, enthralls international audiences, and comes to experience life not as "Boy OR girl./ Man OR woman./ But/ fluid/ flowing/ like a dance/ in between/ and all around." Kohli's vibrant, kaleidoscope-like illustrations duet in harmony with Rajan Gopal's lyrical, rhythmic language. Creators' notes conclude. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)

Kirkus Review

A young boy thrust into the role of breadwinner turns to his love of dance. Though Harish is entranced by the music and dance of his native Rajasthan, he is careful not to show how they affect him. Only when playing the Hindu god Krishna in a school play does he embrace the "flowing fabric / and dazzling jewels" that leave him feeling "shiny and / glittery and / NEW." When he and his sisters are orphaned, he performs in drag to make ends meet. His heart soars under the cover of night but is broken by the taunts he faces by day, living in a society with strict gender norms. This double life weighs on him, but his talent also earns him respect and praise. Based on the real-life story of drag performer Queen Harish (1979-2019), the narrative traces his pain and uncertainty and his joys and triumphs. Vibrant, kaleidoscopic illustrations inspired by the desert environs and the textiles, architecture, and artwork of the city of Jaisalmer capture the joyful dancer's whirling and swirling movements as he embodies another form: "Not / Boy OR girl. / Man OR woman. / But / fluid / flowing / like a dance / in between / and all around." Lyrical poetry mirrors the sounds and beats of the local folk music and complements the dreamlike visuals. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Evocative and electrifying. (author's and illustrator's notes, more information on Queen Harish) (Picture-book biography. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

This one-of-a-kind picture book paints a stirringly intimate and reverential portrait of the late drag performer known as Queen Harish, the "Whirling Desert Queen of Rajasthan." It begins with a boy in a desert world, longing to dance but forced by shame to hide his charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. "There are lines in the sand / that keep you in your place. / Boy OR girl. / Man OR woman." But after losing his parents and having two sisters to support, the boy begins moonlighting as a traditional Rajasthani folk dancer, and it is in this nighttime persona--despite bigoted abuse in the day--that Harish finds acceptance, empowerment, and self-actualization as "Not / Boy OR girl. / Man OR woman. / But / fluid / flowing / like a dance." The tension of an oppressive gender binary is represented throughout in Kohli's dazzlingly layered geometric art, a cosmic kaleidoscope saturated by the stunning contrast of deep-as-night blues and charcoal oranges that conjure both the boy's inner conflict and the rich setting of the Indian desert. Gopal's spare text is relayed in verse, rhythmic and free as a dancer, evoking feeling in every foot, as good as any song. Back matter fleshes out some details of Harish's story. As gorgeous and indefinable as Queen Harish herself, this book belongs on every shelf.