Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu): As the ongoing pandemic has amplified the challenges faced by the weak and marginalised sections of society, fifteen trans persons of Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district have started learning folk art for help their survival.
Several transpersons had lost their livelihoods amid the COVID-19 crisis but after learning drums play, Oyilattam, Karakattam and dummy horse dance, they see a ray of hope.
The coronavirus induced curfew has turned third genders into village artists. Transgenders, deprived of any income have used the lockdown to learn new skills. For the first time, 15 trans persons started training in folk arts such as drum dancing, Oyilattam, Karagattam and Poikkal horse dance.
ETV Bharat spoke to Transperson Viji, who is one of them behind the initiative. "We need to change society's perceptions of the transgenders. When we identify ourselves as rural artists, we believe that our identity signifies through our skills," she said.
Shankar, a folk artist and trainer, who has trained several people in the district, is currently coaching the transgenders as well.
Speaking about his work with the transpersons, Shankar said, “It was a different experience. All have trained well in 10 days. They can create a positive change in society through their skills. Rural arts can alter the way society views them. We started this training to grow in the minds of these people that they are our brothers and sisters only.”
"I teach them Oyilattam, Kattaigalattam, Kudiraiattam. As society has a wrong perception about the transgender community that they are involved in prostitution and collecting money from shops, I wanted to teach them professional skills. Everyone should treat transgenders as their brother or sister. There is no use lecturing on Unity in Diversity ... one should show unity in everything," he said.