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 'Trans Arts Festival' celebrates International Transgender Visibility Day Photos courtesy: Srivatsa Shandilya April 9, 2024 In a celebration of inclusivity and artistic expression, The International Arts and Cultural Foundation, Bangalore, marked a significant milestone with the fifth edition of the Trans Arts Festival, celebrating International Transgender Visibility Day. Curated by Srivatsa Shandilya, the festival brought together a diverse range of talents and perspectives, highlighting the beauty of classical arts and the resilience of the transgender community.  The festival held at the Sevasadan Auditorium in Malleshwaram, Bangalore, was graced by esteemed guests, including Kannada film actor Anu Prabhakar Mukherjee, dancers Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and Sathyanarayana Raju. Their presence added depth and significance to the event, showcasing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the arts. Srivatsa Shandilya as a curator expressed, "The Trans Arts Festival, with its theme 'Expression Beyond Gender,' succeeded in its mission to celebrate the talent and creativity of transgender classical dancers, while also promoting inclusivity and understanding through the arts. The festival's success serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations, highlighting the transformative power of art in creating a more inclusive and compassionate society." Anu Prabhakar Mukherjee emphasized the role of art in fostering inclusiveness and contributing to the holistic upliftment of the transgender community. She praised the Trans Arts Festival for providing a platform for transgender classical dancers to showcase their talent and creativity, highlighting their unique journeys and challenges. Lakshmi Gopalaswamy commended the festival for breaking gender biases and stereotypes, showcasing a new dimension and approach towards the transgender community through classical arts. She emphasized the importance of such festivals in promoting gender equality and understanding. Satyanarayana Raju spoke extensively about the focused event's role in uplifting the transgender community through classical arts. He lauded the festival for its commitment to showcasing the talents of transgender classical dancers and providing them with a platform to shine.   The festival featured performances by talented classical dance artistes, including Vaishnavi, Selvi Santhosam, Rekha, Rose, Omana, and Karthi, disciples of Shanmugha Sundaram. These performances were a testament to the dedication and passion of the transgender classical dancers, who have overcome numerous challenges to pursue their art. In a unique initiative, the festival was well attended by the students of Jain University, media and communication in fieldwork that addressed gender diversity. The festival provided students with a first-hand experience of the unique activities and challenges faced by the transgender community. The event concluded with a pledge for eligible and registered voters, administered by BBMP Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Swamy and attended by various officials and dignitaries, and noted folk singer Appagari Thimraju. The pledge emphasized the importance of voting and civic engagement for all members of society, including the transgender community. |
