BLESSED

Transgender people in India have a special status: they are considered the third gender. In Hinduism they are more than anyone else, because they are both male and female, like the fusion of Shiva and Parvati. That is why you see the trans giving blessings to people in exchange for some small change. Despite this, most of them live in miserable conditions. Often rejected by their families, they have to live on tips. Some of them even turn to prostitution to make ends meet. 

‘Blessed’ as a title is meant to be ironic. The life of a transgender is anything but blessed and all too often they lead the life of an outcast.

In spite of this once a year there is a huge celebration where they are in the centre of attention: the Koovagam festival in Tamil Nadu, where immense joy and deep sorrow meet. This festival symbolizes their life: very happy that they have done the transition into a woman, and at the same time with this new life they have often lost so much such as their family, their position, fewer or no job opportunities, ...

And yet, they are very sensitive people and maintain their dignity and bear their fate as a result of their decision to live the life of a woman.

India, 2023 - ongoing project