Dance Like a Trans: From Jogathi to Padma Shri

Where art becomes identity and survival, a performance

Manjamma Jogathi discovered in folk theatre and Jogathi Nritya not just a calling but a language of survival. Born Manjunath in a small town in Karnataka’s Bellary district, she grew up watching village plays and temple performances, even as her womanhood struggled for expression. Ostracised by family, Manjunath’s uncertain childhood transformed into Manjamma’s consecration into the Jogathi tradition—a path at once ceremonial and stigmatised, sacrosanct and scorned. From a mere spectator, she rose to the stage of the Karnataka Janapada Academy, which she led as its first trans woman president. Manjamma’s footwork carried her all the way to one of the nation’s highest honours, the Padma Shri. Though many books exist in Kannada, Telugu and English, this book by Raghav Chinivar is truly unique. I shared a rare and deep bond with the author—a relationship built through countless conversations, shared tears and laughter, and many meals together. His questions often made me revisit my past and reflect deeply on my own life. I am certain that each of you will feel the same. Through this journey, I come one step closer to you, and you come It is deeply unfortunate that Raghav is no longer with us today. He devoted a significant part of his life to becoming a sincere author and writer under the guidance of the renowned writer Mukund Rao. This book stands as his first and, sadly, his last—a heartfelt legacy of his talent and dedication. Manjamma Jogathi discovered in folk theatre and Jogathi Nritya not just a calling but a language of survival. Born Manjunath in a small town in Karnataka’s Bellary district, she grew up watching village plays and temple performances, even as her womanhood struggled for expression. Ostracised by family, Manjunath’s uncertain childhood transformed into Manjamma’s consecration into the Jogathi tradition—a path at once ceremonial and stigmatised, sacrosanct and scorned. From a mere spectator, she rose to the stage of the Karnataka Janapada Academy, which she led. Dance Like a Trans is no neat tale of triumph. It is a chronicle of losses—name, family, certainty, identity—and the act of retaining them. Here is a testament that the stage can be a homeland.