Electric and enchanting, Gabriel Dharmoo’s Bijuriya fully embodies her name. The child and “musical clown” of a white Québécoise mother and “Trini daddy,” Bijuriya connects to her Indian heritage and queerness through drag.
Her multidisciplinary show pushes boundaries, a solo two-hander between herself and her untucked self, Gabriel Dharmoo.
It played at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in November.
Bijuriya’s multiple clownish femme costumes pay homage to her background and explore culture and language in ways that might be accessible as Dharmoo. With Bollywood as a cultural touchstone, she explores her multiple intersecting identities and what it is to feel not quite enough.
The original music and ambient sounds composed by Dharmoo are catchy and complex, blending campy club music with Carnatic music and experimental styles. Bijuriya is an impressive vocal acrobat; she has an ethereal yet focused tone that she throws with ease.
The entire show is funny and thoughtful, but the finale, “Geeta,” about a famous Bollywood love triangle, is absolutely outstanding. Bijuriya delivers a sensuous existential meditation on identity and connection. It’s hauntingly beautiful, both the music and the understated performance.Dharmoo’s prowess as a composer and musician, combined with artful storytelling, gives Bijuriya a unique and powerful voice in Canada’s vibrant drag scene.
This article appeared in the 2026 Feb/Mar issue.