Kanimozhi meets transwomen, discusses art, culture and ideas

Art helps change people’s perception of transgender persons, says Kanimozhi

It was a surreal moment for transwoman M. Nila when Thoothukudi Lok Sabha MP K. Kanimozhi recognised her and the song she had composed. “I felt proud and went ballistic in excitement,” she recounted. Besides her, for a bunch of other transwomen who had met her recently for breakfast, discussing about art and culture, exchanging ideas and even painting a canvas with her, was like a dream come true.

Ms. Kanimozhi said they were exploring an opportunity to work with transwomen in her constituency to make murals and art in public spaces, which in turn will help create awareness of them, social issues and art and culture. “Any art form in a public space will create a conversation, dialogue and understanding, which is what they want. It not only gives them more such opportunities but also helps in changing the perception people have of them,” she added.

Poornima Sukumar, founder of Aravani Art Project, said the transwomen were thrilled to meet and get acquainted with Ms. Kanimozhi, who also painted a canvas. “The canvas was based on the theme of feminism and about how transpersons were not included in this movement. Since she was very interested in arts, the transwomen exchanged a lot of ideas with her,” she said.

Ghana N.B., an artist with the Aravani Art Project, said the informal meeting was an opportunity to introduce the origins and development of the Aravani Art Project and look at the prospects of transwomen creating wall murals to celebrate Tamil Nadu’s art and culture. “She is a creative collaborator and a poet who heard the ideas that transwomen had. They spoke to her about who they are, what they did and what art meant to them. They spoke about painting during the lockdown and how they found it therapeutic.” Nila said when people look at art and associate that piece with transpersons, it changes their mindset and perspective and goes a long way in helping their community.