BBlunt shares love and pride with their LGBTQIA++ friends

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The team of BBlunt posed for a picture together with their guests. “I wanted to celebrate Pride Month because people here are still not fully aware of it. So I wanted to pamper the community and its supporters. So I called those who I could... those who have excelled in their fields, to give them whatever treatment they want,” said Priti Agarwal.

On the occasion of Pride Month, Priti Agarwal of BBlunt hosted a pampering session for her friends from the LGBTQIA++ community on June 20. The premium salon on Lansdowne Road saw choreographers, stylists, activists, designers and more enjoying themselves as they were pampered with treatments of their choice. The Telegraph dropped by for the celebrations.

Pamper Sessions

We caught multidisciplinary artist and actor Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee in the middle of his hair spa. “I am getting a hair spa done and I am happy to be here. Coming out is a privilege that you are born with... or not born with. I came out when my lady friend who I call my sister asked me to look at myself in the mirror and address myself. I did that and I realised I was hibernating. And I didn’t know from what so she made me feel secure. It was miraculous as I was kind of a docile child. But yeah, there was no looking back after that,” he said.

Stylist Anupam Chatterjee got a hair spa done. “I am from a boys’ school and I realised when I was in high school that I was gay. I started blushing at good-looking guys. I spoke to my sisters about it... some 20 years ago only one social awareness TV show happened hosted by Rituparno Ghosh. I liked that so much because he was a voice. Growing up in a joint family, I have never done injustice to myself. I wore a red T-shirt if I wanted to,” he said.

Designer Indroneel Mukherjee got some waxing done. “I am feeling great since BBlunt put this together. Priti is a straight ally for us and for her doing this initiative... it is really important since we will talk about it. That’s how people will know more about the community. This is how straight people can get involved. And it is growing day by day. I’ve been out for more than 20 years and I feel great when people do the same after they tell me I inspire them,” he said.

Pushpak Sen dropped in for a pamper session as well.

Anindya Hajra was also present for the bash. “Grooming and appearing in ways we want to present ourselves becomes an important aspect of self-care of trans-queer lives, which in turn has an impact on our self-esteem. Those are precisely the two aspects that get affected due to social prejudice against our communities. The session at BBlunt where we received generous pampering, thanks to the thoughtfulness of Priti Agarwal, went to establish the importance of being cared for. I wish to see the initiative beyond a cosmetic gesture, one that has deep social ramifications. Trans-queer persons' acceptance into the fabric of our daily lives, amongst others, will signify a truly inclusive and diverse society. This is not true only for the Pride month that is being increasingly observed here following the US, but a year-long commitment and pledge that needs to get marked equally,” said Anindya.

Neelay Sengupta was pamper ready. “I thank the entire team for this nice initiative with BBlunt. I  experienced a wonderful beauty service and I enjoyed thoroughly. After this long lockdown we again met our LGBT friends and supporters, followed by nice high tea. Last but not the least, I would like to thank Priti Agarwal for her cordial hospitality and friendly  behaviour,” he said.

The team of BBlunt posed for a picture together with their guests. “I wanted to celebrate Pride Month because people here are still not fully aware of it. So I wanted to pamper the community and its supporters. So I called those who I could... those who have excelled in their fields, to give them whatever treatment they want,” said Priti Agarwal.

Dancer Sudarshan Chakravorty got a facial and a pedicure done. “Over the years people have been working for the movement even before the term ‘LGBT’ existed. It is very important to co-exist and be together as friends. That is a greater acceptance because when a diverse group of people unite as one, that is humanity,” he said.

Pictures: Pabitra Das