Manjamma Jogathi

Manjamma Jogathi (born Manjunatha Shetty) (18 April 1964), is an Indian Kannada theatre actress, singer and dancer of Jogti Nritya, a folk dance form of North Karnataka. In 2019, Manjamma became the first transwoman to head The Karnataka Janapada Academy, state's top institution for folk arts.[1][2][3] In January 2021, Government of India announced Padma Shri award for her contribution to the field of folk arts.[4][5]

Manjamma Jogathi
Born
Manjunatha Shetty

18 April 1964
Kallukamba, Ballari, Karnataka
Occupation
  • Dancer
  • singer
  • activist
  • theatre actress
AwardsRajyotsava Award (2010)
Padma Shri (2021)

Early life

Manjamma was born as Manjunatha Shetty in Kallukamba village in Ballari district to Hanumantaiah and Jayalakshmi.[6] He studied SSLC in Davanagere. In 1975, Shetty's parents took him to Huligemma temple near Hospete to consecrated as jogappa, a ritual in which the devotees believe themselves married to the God. Here after Shetty became to known as Manjamma Jogathi with female identity.

He was expelled from his family for his girlish behaviour at the age of sixteen. Manjamma shifted to a rented room and started begging on streets draping sarees. Happened to see Jogti Nritya at Davanagere bus stand by a father-son duo, Manjamma joined the group to learn it. After a year of learning and performing, one of the members of the group introduced Manjamma to Kalavva jogathi of Hagaribommanahalli.

Career
Theatre

Manjamma became a permanent dancer in Kaalavva's Jogti dance group, performing all over the state.[7] After Kaalavva's death, she took over the incharge of the troupe and made the dance popular among people. As an artist, in 2010, Manjamma received the Rajyotsava award by the Karnataka Government.

Heading the Karnataka Jaanapada Academy

She was first appointed as the member of the Karnataka Jaanapada Academy and later as the president of the same institution by the State government, which made her the first transwoman to head the top institution for Performing arts in the state.[8]

Accolades

References
  1. Archana Nathan (15 Nov 2019). "Meet Manjamma Jogati: The first trans-president of the Karnataka Janapada Academy". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  2. Theja Ram (20 Nov 2020). "A house for Manjamma: Crowdfunding campaign for a trans woman leader in Karnataka". The News Minute. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  3. Asmita Bhakshi (9 Nov 2020). "The unstoppable dance of Manjamma Jogati". Live Mint.com. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  4. "ಪದ್ಮ ಪುರಸ್ಕಾರಗಳು" [Padma Awards]. Prajavani (in Kannada). 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  5. "List of Pamda awardees". The Hindu. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  6. "ಹರಿದ ಉಡದಾರ ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಹೆಣ್ಣಾಗಿಸಿತು!: ಮಂಜಮ್ಮ ಜೋಗತಿ". Prajavani (in Kannada). 16 Feb 2020. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  7. "A place to call home". The New Indian Express. 30 Nov 2020. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  8. "Manjamma Jogati first transwoman to head an academy in Karnataka". The Hindu. 16 Oct 2019. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  9. "Rajyotsava Awards". Official Government Website. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  10. "ಜಾನಪದ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷೆಯಾಗಿ ನೇಮಕವಾಗಿರುವ ಮೊದಲ ತೃತೀಯ ಲಿಂಗಿ ಜೋಗತಿ ಮಂಜಮ್ಮ!". Kannada Prabha. 17 Oct 2019. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
  11. Rashmi Patil (15 Nov 2020). "Why you should read about transgender folk artist Manjamma Jogathi's life in this Kannada book". Edexlive. Retrieved 16 Jan 2021.
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