A group of transgenders came together to perform Yakshagana performance in Mangaluru, Karnataka. It was organised at Katte Maidan, Kodikal on April 7. Following the tradition from last year, transgender Aishwarya and their family organised this Shri Devi Mahatame Yakshagana this year too. Last time too Aishwarya Parivar held a grand Yakshagana service from the same Mela.
On this day, a great performance of Yakshagana was performed by Sri Jnanashkati Subrahmanyaswami Kripaposhita Yakshagana Mandal Pavanje. It was led by Yakshadhruva Patla Sathish Shetty. Along with the performance, Aishwarya and their companions offered food to thousands of people and served Yakshagana with devotion. People in the town too supported this practice and helped the family.
Aishwarya, the head of the family, and her seven or eight companions are employed and earn their living. Aishwarya runs a pet breeding business whereas Devda Vardhan is a choreographer in Bengaluru. She was also a contestant in the Dance Karnataka Dance Season 6. Vrinda is in the animation profession whereas Amulya is working as a beautician. Avisha, Sania, Shanti and Raksha are also living by doing small jobs.
This transgender family organised the Shri Devi Mahatame Yakshagana reportedly for the first time in 2022. During an interview with Time Of India, Aishwarya said that her family consists of seven members including her daughter who was born and brought up in Mangaluru. Their main aim is to lead a dignified life as opposed to the notion of being beggars.
“The pain within us does not let us enjoy life and most of the time we are victims of humiliation,” said Aishwarya as quoted by TOI. They often organise parties to keep their tension at bay but from last to last year, they decided to organise a Yakshagana performance, as a service to god.
Yakshagana expert, Patla Sathish Shetty too accepted their offer despite a busy schedule. He was happy after transgenders came forward with this request. “It indicated the growing popularity of artform that is above religion and now even gender,” said Patla Sathish Shetty.
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