From Manjunath to Manjamma by Manjamma Jogathi,

Book summary

As a young Manjamma lay unconscious after a suicide attempt, she could not have imagined that one day she would receive a National Award from the President of India. A transgender folk artist who became the president of the Karnataka Folk Academy, her life’s journey has been nothing short of epic.

As a young boy, Manjunath discovered that he felt more like a woman, which led to him being ostracized and mocked. The transforamtion into Manjamma, a performer of the Jogathi nritya, was a testimony to her grit and determination. Jogathi nritya is a dance form performed by the Jogathi transgender community, and Manjamma became its leading proponent, popularizing it on a national level.

From being stripped of her modesty to being given one of the highest civilin honours of the country (the Padma Shri in 2021), Manjamma’s is an inspiring, heart-rending story, which she tells in this book with remarkable honesty.

About the author

Manjamma Jogathi, a renowned transgender folk artist from Karnataka, and Harsha Bhat, an author and linguist. Manjamma Jogathi is celebrated for her contributions to the Jogathi Nritya, a traditional dance form performed by the transgender community, and for her role as the first transgender president of the Karnataka Folk Academy. She was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2021 for her artistic achievements and social contributions.