It was big news everywhere when the Kochi Metro decided to employ people from the transgender community. Last month, a transgender athletic meet was organised in Thiruvananthapuram. Now comes another initiative that well and truly establishes the trans-friendly tag: Kerala is all set to host its first ever transgender beauty pageant called Queen of Dhwayah 2017.
The event is not a government initiative but is being organised solely by Dhwayah Arts and Cultural Society, a transgender association. Celebrity makeup artist Renju Renjimar and transgender activist Sheetal Shyam are among the organisers and shared with us their aspirations and anxieties.
Renju says, “The idea of conducting a beauty pageant was welcomed by everyone I mentioned it to. The responses we received from the transgender community were also enthusiastic. We received many entries and in fact it was difficult for us to select the most deserving from the auditions. However, no achievement is without its share of sacrifice and we too are facing many setbacks.”
“The most important is of course the funds required to organise such an event. This is not a mere fashion show and we are conducting the event on the lines of major beauty pageants. But we are not able to pool in sponsors for the event.” Renju hastens to add that the fund crunch will not come in the way of the final event scheduled to take place on June 16 and that the necessary grooming required for the participants, in terms of clothes, catwalk, make-up and training are being made available to them in the best possible manner. “We are providing the best in the industry to every participant and this is the best opportunity they can ever get to grab the limelight and kickstart their journey to success.”
Sheetal Shyam is of the view that the event, for those who have chosen to live in the society as transgender, will definitely strike a chord with many others in the society who are scared to come out and live with their real identity. “The major issue most of the transgender people face is regarding their looks, style sense and complexion. This is the reason we have not fixed any criteria for the contest. Irrespective of height, complexion and other concerns, they can take part in the auditions,” she adds.
Thripthi Shetty, for instance, had to keep aside her dreams of entering the glamour industry until the contest happened. At five feet, she would not have had any chance in another beauty pageant but she could participate in Queen of Dhwayah 2017 auditions and get selected. She says that she can now feel the doors of success opening for her and that her dream of becoming an actor will be fulfilled. The confidence gained by the grooming for the contest has also persuaded Thripthi to organise an exhibition of handmade jewellery (made by her) at IGNOU Kochi on the 20th of May.
The event will be judged by former Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan and former Miss Kerala Ranjini Haridas. Actor and former Miss India Shweta Menon will crown the winner. Sharing her thoughts on such an initiative and expressing her happiness on being a part of it, Ranjini says, “I am extremely happy to know that my state is doing a lot in making the society a trans-friendly space. And a beauty pageant I think is the best platform for the same because many of the transgender people are very much inclined towards fashion, make-up and glamour and other creative fields. It is one of the reasons why there are many successful transgender makeup artists and fashion designers in our industry. So a beauty contest is the best way to bring them to the forefront, mainly because these contests have a lot more to offer than just evaluating the beauty of the participants. It respects the identity of every person and the confidence level and dignity that person carries.”
The final grooming for the participants will take place in Kochi and the organisers are of the opinion that every participant is trying her best to win the competition and is individually working on the etiquettes and other areas that will be judged.
