There always remains this problem of marginalized community not being fully integrated with the mainstream society even though plenty of laws have been enacted for their betterment.
The ‘Social Justice Department’ of state of Kerala has made some improvement in this direction. It has conceptualised the unique event as part of its various initiatives to support the transgender community and make them part of the mainstream society and to promote their talents.
Titled “Varnapakitt-2019”, the two-day event is considered to be the first such state-sponsored art festival to be organised exclusively for transgenders in the country.
Talented transgender members will thus get a platform to showcase their artistic and creative skills in Kerala. According to authorities, the state-level festival is being organised as part of the transgender policy implemented by the government for the upliftment of the community.
The venue of the festival is expected to be the state capital and the official announcement of the dates are yet to come.
As part of the art festival, the Department also invited applications for cash awards from 10 transgenders who have proved their excellence in various social fields except cinema.
According to the Art Festival manual, released by the Department, any TG member aged 18 or above, who has the authentic identity card issued by the government, can take part in the festival.
Besides the performing art category including dance, music (both single and group), mono-act and mimicry, competitions will be held in story, poetry andessay writing.
Transgender activist Sheethal Shyam hailed the government initiative and said it will be an exciting platform for the TGs to perform and show their talent to the world. “It may be for the first time in the country that a state department is organising such an art festival for us,” she said.
Kerala is the first state to unveil a ‘Policy for Transgenders’, in the country. The government has introduced several innovative schemes ranging from ‘transgender helpline’, TG justice board and shelter homes. As per the census conducted in Kerala during 2015-16, there are 1,187 third genders in the southern state.
