Manjamma Jogati: The Story Of Transgender Folk Dancer Who Was Conferred The Padma Shri

On Tuesday President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Padma Shir to folk dancer Matha B Manjamma Jogati in Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

Manjamma greeted dignitaries including Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah, as she walked towards the President.

She also made a special gesture in front of President Kovind, which many on social media said was to wish him luck.

President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Matha B. Manjamma Jogati for Art. She is the Chairman of Karnataka Janapada (Folklore) Academy. She has been instrumental in popularizing the folk art forms practised in rural Karnataka, Maharashtra and parts of Andhra Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/bXslLbHwli

¡ª President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 9, 2021

Early life

Born in Ballari district of Karnataka as Manjunatha Shetty, she became a 'Jogappa' at the age of 16, after realising her true sexual identity.

First transwoman President of Karnataka Janpada Academy, Manjamma Jogati overcame societal trauma and made a mark for herself in the field of dance. A Jogati Nritya folk dancer, she has performed over 1,000 times. #PeoplesPadma pic.twitter.com/rucehjhOk7

¡ª Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 31, 2021

Jogappa is an ancient community of transgenders who have dedicated themselves to the service of Goddess Renuka Yellamma.

In the initiation ceremony, a Jogappa is considered married to the goddess and is not allowed to return home to their families.

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Like many transgenders, Manjamma also begged on the roads and was even sexually assaulted.

Learning Jogati Nritya

She found her true calling in Jogati Nritya, a ritual folk dance performed by the Jogappa community.

Manjamma became a permanent dancer in Kaalavva's Jogti dance group and has performed on over 1,000 stages. After the death of her mentor, Kaalavva she took over the troupe and made the dance popular among the people.

In 2010, Manjamma received the Rajyotsava Award from the Karnataka Government.

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In 2019, she was appointed president of the Karnataka Janapada Academy, becoming the first transgender person to reach the position.

Second transgender Padma awardee

She is only the second transgender to be conferred a Padma Award.

In 2019, Narthaki Nataraj, a renowned dancer from Tamil Nadu had become the first person from the trans community to be honoured with one of the top civilian awards in India.

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As a transgender, Nataraj who has performed across the world is widely seen as a icon when it comes to empowerment of the marginalised community.

This year's list of Padma Awards includes seven Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 102 Padma Shri Awards, of which 29 awardees are women, 16 posthumous awardees, and one transgender awardee.

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Padma Awardees at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. pic.twitter.com/OKdBak8jns

¡ª President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 9, 2021

The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.

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