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Her debut in Indian films happened with Nathan, an offbeat film about the life journey of a transsexual woman, her quest for happiness, love and finding her true identity and happiness. She became the first transgender actor in India to do a leading role in a major motion picture. She also received numerous awards for social work, performances, entrepreneurship, and her literary contribution
@changemakers · 0:28
Acceptance is a big word in our lives. We all seek acceptance from those around us, and this acceptance is subject to various societal norms, belief systems, and cultural barriers. Coming out as a transgender in a conservative society, challenging mindsets, helping the community gain acceptance and the right to live a normal way of life has been your mission. Please share your journey with us
Kalki Subramaniam
@Kalki · 4:46
I think I'm halfway in that I haven't really greatly achieved. But yes, as an activist, I've definitely seen milestone victories in this country, and I'm happy and proud that I've been an important part of that change
@changemakers · 0:50
Thank you for sharing your story. Kalki acceptance from one's loved ones is definitely the first step and gives one the strength to face the world at large. You were blessed in that. Yes, it as you pointed out, there are thousands of others who are not so fortunate and are left to fence for themselves and get exploited and lead a life of pain and misery as a root of it all. Dust lies the ability to be financially independent. And that comes with education
Kalki Subramaniam
@Kalki · 4:53
All these people, they're not sensitized on trans issues, so that could also be a major setback, of course. So we the transactivist and organization. We assume that it could be five times higher. There could be 25 lakhs of transgender and non binary people in this country, but it could be more. But there is no proper statistics and there is no proper statistics about the economic condition of the community
@changemakers · 0:35
Sensitization across the board is possibly the key to being able to ensure that the transgender community's rights, to become part of the mainstream, to rise above exploitation, and to be able to set on the path of discovering one's true potential. It's a long, long way ahead. You have made a huge step in this direction with the Sahadari Foundation, and the foundation has been making an impact through its work with the transfer community. What is your vision for the foundation going forward
Kalki Subramaniam
@Kalki · 4:44
Almost 90% succeeded in that too. So our vision actually changes according to what society perceives our community perceives. So right now we are working to enhance empower the transgender community through art, through their creativity. Because I think at this point of time, what they really need is visibility and more talent. Visibility and livelihood is an important component, especially for transgender people who are not even school. I mean, not even College going. They just dropped out of school
@changemakers · 0:57
Indeed, creativity is something that can be used to melt barriers. And I think at a personal level, also, you have been through your poetry, paintings and also your sort of acting in a mainstream film conveying this very important message. You have doubled with creativity and chosen to use this medium to sort of reach out to people. Has it helped you melt barriers and has this sort of approach helped you positively connect with people?
Kalki Subramaniam
@Kalki · 2:46
I believe that art is a catalyst for transformation, life, transformation. And I've seen it right from my childhood when I was a teenager and I was a genius ended non conforming kid. And when I was not able to speak and express about how I felt, how I struggled within myself, with my body and with the outer world when all these was going on, the only way for me to go through this was creating drawings, creating artworks and writing poetry
@changemakers · 0:23
Thank you Kalki with the COVID situation getting worse by the day in India, the transgender community are among those marginalized sections that are terribly hit. What is a ground level situation and houses a holiday foundation. Gearing up to help how can those of us wanting to pitch in, help you with your efforts
Kalki Subramaniam
@Kalki · 1:54
The name of the campaign is support transgender artists in the Scorpion 19 crisis in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. So I'm also adding up the link here so it would be really helpful if whoever listens this would like to contribute, it will be amazingly helpful for them. So the transgender community situation now is in a very deep difficulty and any help that people do is I'll welcome and I really wanted to thank you, Srija, for contributing from your side. Thank you
@changemakers · 0:17
I hope that those listening in will come forward and make generous contributions and also spread the word far and wide. I also take this opportunity to thank Kalkisubramaniam for coming on to Spell and for sharing her journey with us. Thank you. Kalki
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