"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
11 Sep 2024
Beginning on Saturday, people began celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav. The event is most widely observed in Maharashtra, where Hindu devotees installed idols of Lord Ganesha in homes, temples, and public pandals to mark the deity's birth. ‘Shikhandi’, Maharashtra's first-ever transgender dhol-tasha group, made history during the festivities by doing a performance at the renowned Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal in Pune.
(Source: Google Images)
According to a report in The Bridge Chronicle, Manasvi Goilkar created Shikhandi, a group of thirty members, after being turned down by numerous dhol-tasha troupes. In dhol-tasha, an area where male and female troupes have historically predominated, Goilkar and the team aim to represent and provide space for the transgender population.
According to the article, the ensemble debuted on August 16 at a state-level event in Nanded. The ensemble is scheduled to play at five renowned Ganpati mandals in Pune this year. Traditionally, the transgender community has been involved in dancing, and blessing families on auspicious occasions. Sonawane explained that their aim is to elevate the community’s pride, where, for some, it serves as an income source, while for others, it’s about asserting their identity.
Teju, a transwoman and member, highlighted the importance of art and culture within their community, saying that dancing, singing, and performing are inherited legacies, making them natural artists.
(Source: Google Images)
The group has received a lot of support despite early obstacles, according to Teju, who also notes that people now recognize their efforts and sympathize with their problems. They now have hope because of this. Sonawane continued, "Members demonstrate their commitment to creating something special by making long daily practice commitments and traveling great distances." There are only four members who have regular jobs; the rest rely on daily income or freelancing, which makes attendance challenging at times. There have been times when members have had to contribute to cover costs because they couldn't afford to travel. Another member, Manasvi, was upbeat, saying the group has much more to offer and that this is just the beginning !