Kalki Subramaniam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Activist, actor, artist and writer |
| Years active | Since 2005 |
Kalki Subramaniam is a transgender rights activist, social worker, artist, actress, writer, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu. She is also the southern region representative and member of the National Council for Transgender Persons in India.
Kalki was born in Pollachi, a town in Tamil Nadu. [1] Born into a working-class family, Kalki was an academically bright student. Kalki holds two master's degrees: Masters in Journalism Mass Communication and Masters in International Relations. During her postgraduate studies, she started publishing a monthly magazine in Tamil for transgender women called Sahodari (which means sister). This is the first Tamil magazine published for transgender people in India. [2] Kalki also lived in Auroville for many years.
From 2005, Kalki has campaigned for transgender rights in India. She is known for her innovative activism using technology, art, films, and literature as tools to voice for transgender empowerment. She was one of India's well-known campaigners behind the Supreme Court of India's judgment legalizing transgender identity. [3] In 2009 when a popular matrimonial website rejected the matrimonial listing of a transgender woman, she took it as a challenge and launched India's first matrimonial website for transgender people. [4] The project was hailed as a bold attempt in upholding transgender people's rights. She has created more than 12 documentary films on LGBT rights and has also appeared in international documentary films. [5] In 2010, she trained many underprivileged transgender women in community journalism and encouraged them to make short documentary films telling their own stories. [6] When she lived in Auroville, she protested against encroachments of village lands by Auroville. [7] In October 2019, Kalki organised the first LGBTQI pride march in Coimbatore city of Tamil Nadu.
In 2008, Kalki founded the Sahodari Foundation, an organization that advocates for transgender people in India. [8] In 2017, Subramaniam found the Thoorikai art project, through which she has trained more than 200 transgender people in creating expressive artworks supporting their livelihood through workshops. [9]
In 2011, Kalki starred in a lead role in a Tamil film, Narthagi, which focused around the lives of transgender people. She made a special appearance in the 2018 film Sarkar in the song "Oru Viral Puratchi" which made her very popular. [10] [11] She is the first transgender woman in India to do a lead role in a motion picture. [12] In 2019, Subramaniam acted in a lead role in a parallel Hindi feature film named Kalashnikov - The Lone Wolf. [13]
Kalki's artworks are considered vibrant and colourful. She has been invited to US, Canada, Netherlands, and Germany to speak on art and activism. [14] In 2016, Subramaniam sold her paintings through a crowdfunding campaign and funded the education of underprivileged transgender women. [15] She uses art to find a voice without words, providing transgender victims of sexual and physical abuse a freedom to express their pain through art called the Red Wall Project, also known as the Shut Up! Show. [16] Hundreds of transgender people have participated in the project across the different States of India and wrote their testimonials on a white paper with a red palm impression to show protest against sexual exploitation. [17] In November 2019, Kalki paid a tribute art show to the late Bollywood actress Sridevi by exhibiting digital portraits of Sridevi. She mentioned that Sridevi has been her inspiration since childhood. [18]
The Redwall is a project that was found in 2018 by Kalki to make the voices of the transgender and gender-diverse people of India powerful. Kalki and the team of Sahodari Foundation have been interviewing more than 500 transgender and gender-diverse survivors of sexual abuse and assault from various states of India including People living with HIV (PLHIV), documenting their experiences as first-person accounts lives in depth. The stories transgender people painful experiences of bullying, rape and assault are documented by the team. This is a community art project where the participant writes the experience on a handmade paper and imprints their red palm on it. These testimonials are exhibited in academic institutions and galleries for public viewing and to show resistance against abuse. [19]
In 2015, Kalki's collection of Tamil poems on transgender lives titled Kuri Aruthean (குறி அறுத்தேன்) was published by Vikatan Publications. The collection consisted of 25 poems with line-drawings by Kalki. [20] She has also written number of articles and essays in online and print publications. In 2018, three of her poems from the poetry collection Kuri Aruthean were translated in German language and published in an art journal. Six of her poems from the book were adopted into poetic short films titled Vadu (The Scar) directed by herself. [21] She has also written many articles in Indian print and online publications on LGBT rights in India.
In 2021, Kalki published a collection of her English poems, monologue, essays and art titled 'We are not the Others' which was published by Notion Press. [22] The book has been included in the library of Harvard Kennedy School. [23]
In 2024, Kalki published a collection of her Tamil poems, short stories, essays and art titled 'Oru Thirunangaiyin Diary Kurippu' (ஒரு திருநங்கையின் டைரிக் குறிப்பு) which was published by Thirunangai Press. [24]
In 2010, Kalki received international recognition when she was the official guest of the United States of America as a Human Rights Activist through IVLP and was honoured in the United Nations Office in New York City for her social work. [25] She is also a recipient of achievers award from Coimbatore Lawyers Association. [26]
In 2014, she was chosen by Facebook as one of the 12 inspiring women of the world who used Facebook for community development. [27] In 2016, she was nominated by NDTV for its Woman of Worth Award under the arts category. [28]
In February 2017, she was invited by Harvard Business School, Harvard University to speak on behalf of the sexual minorities, and represent the Indian transgender community. She received a standing ovation for her speech. She shared the chair with Telugu actor and Politician Pawan Kalyan, Manish Malhotra, R Madhavan and Meagan Fallone. [29] Inspired by Kalki's speech Pawan Kalyan later in his interview to the media said, he has plans to start a separate wing for the transgender people in his political party Jana sena of Andhra Pradesh. [30]
In 2018, Subramaniam was invited by Schwules Museum, Germany to present her artworks, poetry films and activism in an Artist Talk with Professor Claudia Reiche. [31] In June 2019, Kalki was invited by TransAmsterdam, a transgender art and culture organisation in Netherlands and was conferred the International Ambassador for Life title by the organisation. [32]
In October 2022, Subramaniam was invited to Harvard University, Cornell University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University to speak on her activism, art, literature and the Indian transgender history. [33]
Sridevi Kapoor, known mononymously as Sridevi, was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada language films. Cited as the "first female superstar" of Indian cinema, she was the recipient of various accolades, including a National Film Award, four Filmfare Awards, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, a Kerala State Film Award, and a Nandi Award. Sridevi's career spanned over 50 years in a wide range of genres. She was known for her reticent and introverted off-screen personality, but headstrong and outspoken on-screen persona, often playing strong-willed women. In 2013, Sridevi was honoured with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian honour.
Moondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written, directed and filmed by Balu Mahendra. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, while Y. G. Mahendran, Silk Smitha and Poornam Viswanathan played supporting roles. It revolves around a school teacher who rescues a woman with retrograde amnesia, from a brothel, and protects her in his house located in Ketti. The rest of the film shows how the woman recovers her memory with the teacher's help.
Naan Adimai Illai is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film produced and directed by Dwarakish. The film stars Rajinikanth and Sridevi. A remake of the Hindi film Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985), this was the last Tamil film for Sridevi in 1980s who then concentrated on her Bollywood career, though she would later return to Tamil cinema in the 2010s. Naan Adimai Illai ran for 75 days in all major cities and was a box office failure.
Moondru Mudichu is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language romantic thriller film directed and co-written by K. Balachander. A remake of the Telugu film O Seeta Katha (1973), it stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Rajinikanth. The film revolves around an 18-year-old girl and two roommates who fall in love with her.
Meendum Kokila is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by G. N. Rangarajan from a screenplay written by Ananthu and story by Haasan Brothers. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Deepa, M. Krishnamoorthy, Thengai Srinivasan and Omakuchi Narasimhan are featured in supporting roles. The narrative follows a young woman who fights to win back her husband after his infatuation with an actress.
Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Aakali Rajyam. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, with Pratap Pothen, R. Dilip and S. Ve. Shekher in supporting roles. It revolves around a group of three men in Delhi struggling with poverty and unemployment.
Kalyanaraman is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language supernatural comedy film directed by G. N. Rangarajan and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, while V. K. Ramasamy, Major Sundarrajan, Thengai Srinivasan, V. S. Raghavan, Senthamarai, Pushpalatha, Manorama and Master Japan Kuppu play supporting roles. It revolves around Kalyanam, a tea estate owner's son who is duped and murdered by a gang trying to seize the property. Kalyanam lives on as a ghost, his twin brother Raman learns the truth and returns for revenge.
"Bombay" Jayashri Ramnath is an Indian Carnatic vocalist, singer, and musician. She has sung songs in multiple languages, including for Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi movies. Born into a family of musicians, Jayashri represents the fourth generation of music practitioners in her family. Trained by Lalgudi Jayaraman and T.R. Balamani. She was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 2021. In December 2023, she was awarded the most prestigious award in the Carnatic music field, the Sangeetha Kalanidhi, by the Madras Music Academy. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song (Oscar) for Pi's Lullaby from Life of Pi movie. She has become one of the most sought-after Carnatic musicians today.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Tamil Nadu are the most progressive among all states of India. Tamil Nadu was the first state in India to introduce a transgender welfare policy, wherein transgender individuals can access free gender affirmation surgery in government hospitals and various other benefits and rights. The state was also the first to ban forced sex-selective surgeries on intersex infants, and also the first state to include an amendment in its state police guidelines that expects officers to abstain from harassing the LGBTQIA+ community and its members. The state also became the first to ban conversion therapy as well as the first to introduce LGBTQIA+ issues in school curricula.
Kalki Koechlin is a French actress and writer who works in Hindi films. Known for her unconventional body of work, she is the recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award, and two Screen Awards. Although a French citizen, she has been raised and lived most of her life in India.
Kumara Sambhavam is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language Hindu mythological film directed and produced by P. Subramaniam. Based on the epic poem of the poet Kalidasa of the same name, it stars Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Srividya and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The film won the first ever Kerala State Film Award for Best Film. The film stood apart in technical quality when compared to previous Malayalam films and is hence regarded as a landmark in the history of Malayalam cinema. It also marked Sridevi's first Malayalam film. The film was dubbed in Tamil under the same title.
Leena Manimekalai is an Indian filmmaker, poet and an actor. Her works include five published poetry anthologies and several films in genres, documentary, fiction and experimental poem films. She has been recognised with participation, mentions and best film awards in many international and national film festivals.
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Pagalil Oru Iravu is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language film directed by I. V. Sasi, starring Vijayakumar, Sridevi, Seema and Ravikumar. It is a remake of Sasi's own Malayalam film Aalinganam (1976), also starring Sridevi. The film was released on 15 August 1979.
Sahodari Foundation is an Indian organisation which is a pioneer in socially and economically empowering underprivileged transgender women. The organisation was founded by transgender activist and artist Kalki Subramaniam in July 2008 to provide opportunities for education support, scholarships for under privileged transgender students, encouraging entrepreneurship and providing livelihood opportunities through creative skills training and development. The organisation is based in Tamil Nadu state in India. The organisation uses art, literature, films and theatre to advocate for social, economic, and political justice for transgender people and gender-nonconforming people.
Chennai has LGBTQIA cultures that are diverse concerning- socio-economic class, gender, and degree of visibility and politicisation. They have historically existed in the margins and surfaced primarily in contexts such as transgender activism and HIV prevention initiatives for men having sex with men (MSM) and trans women (TG).
Kavari Maan is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by S. P. Muthuraman and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, with Vijayakumar, Ravichandran, Sekhar and Sridevi in supporting roles. It was released on 6 April 1979.
The Chennai Rainbow Pride March has been held by members of Tamil Nadu LGBTIQA+ communities every June since 2009. The pride march is organised under the banner Tamil Nadu Rainbow Coalition, which is a collective of LGBT individuals, supporters, and organizations working on human rights and healthcare for the LGBTQIA community. The Pride March occurs on the final Sunday of June every year. The Pride March is usually preceded by a month-long series of events organized by NGOs and organizations to inculcate awareness and support for the LGBTQ community, such as panel discussions, film screenings, and cultural performances. The Chennai Vaanavil Suyamariyadhai Perani a.k.a. Chennai Rainbow Self-Respect March is known for being inter-sectional in nature as it addresses issues with multiple axes such as caste, class, religion coupled with gender discrimination.
Narthaki (transl. Dancer) is a 2011 Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Vijayapadma and produced by Punnagai Poo Gheetha. Focusing on the issue of transgender people, the film stars Kalki Subramaniam, Vivin and Girish Karnad. Music for the film was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar and the film opened to mixed reviews in May 2011.
The following list is a partially completed compilation of events considered to have a profound effect on the welfare or image of Tamil sexual minorities. The use of bold typeface indicates that the event is widely considered to be landmark: