Marjana Mukherjee,
Brainware University,
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
marjana.mukherjee@gmail.com

From Manjunath to Manjamma: The Inspiring Life of a Transgender Folk Artist. Poems by Manjamma Jogathi and Harsha Bhat. HarperCollins, Haryana, 2023, ISBN: 978-9356991255

From Manjunath to Manjamma: The Inspiring Life of a Transgender Folk Artist is a deeply moving and meticulously crafted narrative that chronicles the remarkable life of Manjamma, a transgender individual whose journey epitomizes resilience, identity, and the transformative power of art. Authored by Manjamma Jogathi in collaboration with Harsha Bhat, this 10 chaptered book provides an immersive experience into Manjamma’s world, beginning with her early years as Manjunath in a modest Indian village to being finally honoured with the fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India, Padma Shri.

Through vivid descriptions and poignant storytelling, the authors compellingly depict Manjamma’s profound struggles with gender identity amidst a society that rigidly enforces normative expectations. This work not only illuminates the personal trials and triumphs of Manjamma but also offers critical insights into the broader social and cultural dynamics at play. The narrative is an essential contribution to the understanding of transgender experiences, underscoring the intersection of personal resilience and artistic expression in the face of societal adversity.

 “I was a woman in a man’s body.” (p.1) The opening lines of the text sums up the dichotomy of living beyond the societal perception of heteronormativity.

The text begins with a celebration and a display of the defiance of pre-assigned gendered roles. The inability to conform to any particular gender, is in itself quite liberating. A trans person should therefore feel emancipated because they are not bound by the norms of hetero-gendered performativity. They can unshackle themselves from their pre-assigned gender roles and keep pushing their boundaries. Manjamma highlights that a trans person can even transcend the limitations imposed on heteronormative beings by dint of their anatomical framework – “Had I been born a man I couldn’t have fathered that many, nor could I have given birth to so many had I been a woman. But my art has ensured I have the privilege and comfort of being ‘Amma’ to countless children across the globe.” (p. x)

From the very beginning, the book seems to echo the constant war waged by Manjamma with her anatomical and psychological entities being so different from one another. Her journey, as depicted in the book, is not only a personal transformation but also a reflection of the larger struggles and triumphs that are present within the transgender community. The author skillfully delves into the complexities of Manjamma’s experiences, effectively portraying the resilience and strength required to navigate a society that often marginalizes and discriminates against transgender individuals.

Yet Manjamma’s narrative transcends personal triumphs; it serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of transgender folk artists. The authors illuminate the traditional art forms and cultural expressions that have been integral to Manjamma’s identity and journey, offering a nuanced understanding of the intersection between gender identity, art, and culture. It also helps people understand how Jogathis are different from other trans communities by giving them a divine identity. The Jogathis are a community having gender fluid identity deeply rooted in the cultural and artistic traditions of South India, particularly within Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They are esteemed for their expertise in traditional arts such as storytelling, music, dance, and puppetry. Their performances are not merely artistic expressions but are also vessels for preserving and conveying the historical and cultural narratives of their people. Thus, tradition, even before their activism, had secured a respectable position for them.

In addition to celebrating Manjamma’s individual journey, the book addresses the broader societal issues affecting the transgender community. The authors adeptly contextualize Manjamma’s experiences within historical and sociocultural frameworks, providing a comprehensive perspective on the systemic challenges faced by transgender individuals. Manjamma’s father’s response clearly highlights this when he mentions – “If he had been a girl, we would have got her married and sent off to her husband’s house, and if he was a boy, we would have found a match and had him settle down. But he is neither. If he had been blind or physically challenged, we would have kept him home and fed him for the rest of our lives. But he fits nowhere and has become a Jogathi so let him go and live the way Jogathis do.” (p.59) By integrating these broader contexts, the book not only inspires and educates but also advocates for greater awareness and empathy towards the transgender community.

Trans autobiographies in India have provided crucial insights into the lives of individuals within the transgender community, shedding light on their diverse experiences and challenges. This book brings forth a rich tapestry of literary elements compared to many trans body narratives.

If the lives of trans people need to be revolutionized, then it is mandatory to scrutinize their autobiographies from where we can revise our concepts and understanding of their lives, voice, sexuality, struggle and in some cases, their victory. It becomes a mode for self-articulation. Autobiography, therefore, can be a crucial platform through which they can create an everlasting presence in history. Autobiographies seem to be the only instrument for these derided invisible subjects to finally become visible. This literary form has endless possibilities, and therefore the narratives of self-actualization seem to be a reflection of all the other people who have not been able to voice their yearnings. This, in turn, will help readers to gain a better understanding of different cultural practices and learn to look beyond the cultural stereotypes of society. One needs to outmaneuver gender essentialism and combat all kinds of misappropriation by the presiding conventional autobiographical theory albeit with the realization that one autobiography of a trans individual is not the prototype of others who are not just socially oppressed but also financially marginalized. By writing about the life of the trans persons, we are righting the injustices that have been hurled upon them. As has been aptly stated in this book –

“As I reflect on all that has gone by in this almost five-decade-long battle for acceptance, I see it as a battle not just of transgenders but of all those who wish to stand up for their uniqueness, who seek to go beyond their own limitations. It is a battle for identity and inclusion; above all, it is a battle for love and respect.” (p.4)

Reviewer Bio

Dr. Marjana Mukherjee, an Associate Professor at Brainware University, Kolkata, holds a PhD from NIT Durgapur. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she specializes in Gender and Literature, focusing on Afghanistan and Islamic studies. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, including Scopus indexed ones.