Transgender folk dancer Manjamma Jogati receives Padma Shri
Sakshi Education
President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Padma Shri to Manjamma Jogati, the first trans-president of the Karnataka Janapada Academy, for her contribution to the arts.In her 60s, Matha B Manjamma Jogati is a folk dancer. Manjamma Jogati has mastered several art forms, including Jogati Nritya and Janapada songs. Jogati is also known for singing spell-binding sonnets in Kannada in praise of female deities.
Transgender folk dancer Manjamma Jogati receives Padma Shri
Born in a village near Bellary in Karnataka as Manjunath Shetty, Manjamma Jogati has identified as a woman ever since childhood. Jogati's family took the child to the Huligeyamma temple near Hospet, where Jogati was initiated as a Jogappa.
The Jogappa is a community of transpersons who dedicate themselves to the service of Goddess Renuka Yellamma. As per folklore, members of the Jogappa community are considered married to the goddess.
