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Kumari Suraj is a non-binary multi-disciplinary artist, choreographer, creative director, designer, 2SLGBTQ+ activist, and personality. A vibrant mix of West Indian, South Asian, Native American, and European heritage, Kumari’s work reflects their exploration of life and celebration of their cultural background.
...Read moreKumari Suraj is a non-binary multi-disciplinary artist, choreographer, creative director, designer, 2SLGBTQ+ activist, and personality. A vibrant mix of West Indian, South Asian, Native American, and European heritage, Kumari’s work reflects their exploration of life and celebration of their cultural background.
Their unique storytelling encourages conversation between contrasting communities and cultural understanding relevant to today’s social climate. Using dance, music, and fashion, Kumari produces safe spaces for women, femmes, people of color, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community to flourish.
Kumari’s philanthropic, educational and performance artwork spanning over two decades in over 43 countries make them an Icon of Waacking – a vintage club-style dance created in the gay clubs of Los Angeles during the 1970s disco era. In addition, they are the creator and founder of the world’s first queer dance festival, dedicated to Waacking culture, Waackfest. A West Coast Ballroom kiki Legend and trailblazer Kumari, pioneered the foundational community development and expansion of the Pacific Northwest and Indian ballroom scene.
A (2024) Arts Council of London grant recipient, featured artist on the main stage at UK BLACK PRIDE (2023) LEGENDARY on HBO MAX (2022), in the New York Times (2020), and named one of Vogue India’s “Top 50 Most Influential Global Indians'' (2019). Kumari is an artistic force and cultural game-changer who has influenced the entertainment industry and underground cult communities from Hollywood to Bollywood and beyond.
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Created by Kumari Suraj in 2009. The BollyWhack dance style fuses Bollywood Dance, Bhangra, Khattak,Bharatanatyam, all traditional movement from Kumari's Indian roots, with the 70's Disco styles of Punking & Whacking. This cross cultural connection is a seamless union of powerful arms, elegant hand gestures, exotic poses and dramatic story telling facial expressions.
Kumari Suraj's unique choreography tells the story of her experience as a multiracial human being influenced by dance cultures of the 1970s-1990s. Her body of work is the melting pot of her creativity. Be it traditional Whacking & Punking meet street jazz. Or her world renowned Frankie Douglas style mixing Dancehall, 90s Hiphop, House and African styles with Whacking. As one of the first vlogers to upload Waacking/Whacking choreography videos to youtube in 2006/2007, Kumari has spent the last 9 years crafting her signature style of movement.