Up until recently, I had always assumed that I was one of the few desis who seriously considered herself a goth. No, I don’t walk around in black lipstick and white powder–and that’s one of the misconceptions that I want this post to refute. The Desi Goth is a rare, largely nocturnal species that does not always associate with other desis, or goths. Here are a few simple guidelines.

1. I do not claim to universally define “Desi Goth.” I leave that to the comments section of this post. In my experience, both desis and goths are very touchy about labeling, which leads to some interesting problems of self-identification. That said, if you’re a Desi, and you find yourself influenced, moved or interested in goth culture, welcome aboard.

2. A brief history of goth culture here. There are an infinite number of types of goths. Marilyn Manson is not considered goth culture, but don’t tell that to his followers. Victorian goths, with their affinity for cognac and opium, their penchant for wearing ruffles and velvet in summer, their gramaphones and their oil paintings, have very little in common with the punk goth, who wears torn tee’s, squats in a basement apartment, plays in a death metal band, and is covered in Celtic tattoos.

3. Goth culture never goes away. It goes underground. From the tortured antiheros of Byron’s poetry, to Goethe’s Faust, to tecno-goth masterpieces like Blade Runner and Metropolis, to Noseferatu, Lestat, Dracul and all the other famous vampires, goth culture pops up in cycles in art, literature, pop culture and public consciousness. Particularly in troubled times. (The term gothic originates from the late 18th century, to describe popular and high culture reacting to political and social uncertainty. An excellent resource to the history of the gothic .; note the limited information from a Desi perspective. here

4. Misconception One: Not all goths work in video stores. There is such a thing as corporate goth. They work from within the system. Admittedly, their attire is restricted, but you do what you can. 5. Misconception Two: Unless you are truly going for the old-school goth look, you do not need to powder your face white, wear racoon eyeliner and black lipstick. The pallor of goth culture goes back to 19th century, when the fetish for mourning culture and death-related rituals (funerals were places to be scene), inspired many to paint their faces a ghostly, spiritual white. Unfortunately, since much of the paint was lead-based, death often followed. Goth culture is about rebellion against the mainstream, not painting yourself like a mime. Some Desis also object to being pale because it reinforces the stereotype that fairer is more beautiful. I honestly think it doesn’t matter, because you can be equally rebellious/surprising in your style by dyeing your hair blue or getting weird colored contacts, or piercings something, or whatever. Or nothing.

5. You are not bound to like goth culture at large. Ever since my love for Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails faded, I have no interest in “goth” music. Please do not quote Evanescence at me. However, I very much like goth fashion, goth novels and movies, gothic poetry, silent era vamps, and dark science fiction. “Noir” gets my attention immediately. Pick and choose; if you’re not thinking for yourself, you’re not goth.

6. Goth can work with Desi culture. I began to feel a little conflicted about my interest in Victorian culture–especially the darker side–sex, death, blasephemy–when I realized that, as a Desi, I would have had a very limited place in it. Now I look at it a little differently. For much of European society, desis embodied all of the above elements of sex, death and blasephemy. The Victorian desi was, in fact, very gothic. You may not buy my reasoninig, but the point is that many goths are interested in things that are dangerous, forbidden, devalued, overlooked, or unpopular. It’s not easy, but it forces you to think for yourself and rail against the machine a little.

7. If you feel the urge to invent a new kind of goth culture, go with it. Tiki goth–collect shrunken heads. Hippie Goth: Jerry Garcia’s moody love child. Medieval Goth–go to that Renaissance fair, dammit! There are many resources for finding your inner goth; you can start with Goth.net. If you can find a better definition for Desi goth, be my guest.

8. Goth can help you deal with depression, but Goth isn’t about being depressing. Many goths are artists and writers; without them, we would not have Bauhaus songs, Theda Bara films, Emily Dickinson poems or Modigliani paintings. My experience with goths is that they are lovely, tolerant, talented people. My favorite goth artist is Madame Talbot’s Victorian Lowbrow, If you find yourself unable to get out bed, crying all the time, or losing friends, you are not goth. You are miserable, and making people miserable. The trick is–don’t hide from the misery. Do something with it. Create something.

9. Search for others of your kind. Desi Goths unite!